ORIGINS OF OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES: SCHOOLS OF ARTS & INSTITUTES The foundations of modern libraries draw on the community-building role of Schools of Arts and Mechanics’, Literary and other Institutes. Around 140 Schools of Arts or Mechanics’ Institutes were established in the main streets of many Sydney suburbs during the 19th and early 20th centuries, and perhaps as many as 750 were established across the entire state.3 Set up by volunteers, often assisted by a small government subsidy or crown land grant, these places were centres of local community life. These buildings have mostly been taken over now by local councils and are used as public libraries or neighbourhood centres, if they have not been sold. Following the Enlightenment, with its passion for science and popular improvement, the School of Arts Movement, or the Mechanics’ Institute Movement, originated in Scotland and spread through the English-speaking world in the mid-nineteenth century. Public lectures were held for manual workers, known then as mechanics or artisans. They were to benefit from improved knowledge and skills that they could apply to their changing work practices. 3 Source: "The School of Arts Movement" by Catherine Freyne, Dictionary of Sydney, 2010.
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‘Technical’ education in NSW can be traced back to the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, established in 1833. Popular music and dancing were offered, as well as geometry and architectural drawing; public lectures were held with the view that education should enrich society as well as improve job prospects. Responding to community demand, this form of education appealed to members of the public who were interested in science and art for interest’s sake, as well as those who were interested in what was to become known as vocational training. In 1878, the Committee of the School of Arts formed the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts Working Men’s College, referred to as Sydney Technical College. In 1883, the NSW government formed the Board of Technical Education to operate it. This moment is viewed by many as the birth of the TAFE system in NSW. Tyalgum, in the Tweed Shire, offers an example of a literary and mechanics’ institute formed in that town in 1908. A group of selectors formed a progress association and decided to build a community hall with donation money of £100. The Tyalgum Literary Institute became the centre for community activities, including boxing, debating, dancing and film evenings. It has since been used for church services, a bank branch, school room, dental surgery, picture theatre and many balls. Fundraising activities at the hall have provided money for local charities, and since 1991, the Tyalgum Festival of Classical Music has thrived thanks to the hall’s excellent acoustics and the efforts of the local community.
