About Us

Bundaberg's modern Library is one of the busiest and largest libraries in regional Queensland, as well as being one of Bundaberg's most popular community facilities. It serves a population of around 68,000 (Bundaberg City and Burnett Shire), approximately 43,000 of whom are members. The Library holds over 142,000 items and loaned 1,119,766 items in the 2005/2006 year.

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Bundaberg's first library was housed in the small wooden School of Arts building on Bourbong Street. It began in the early 1870s and served the district's 200 inhabitants. The Library was a subscription library. Those who wanted to join had to pay a fee or subscription. The School of Arts Library was closed down on Saturday 16 February 1980 after serving Bundaberg's reading needs for 109 years.

The new Bundaberg and District Library, the City's first free library service, was officially opened in the old Commonwealth Bank building on Quay Street on Friday 29 February 1980. Its doors first opened to the public on Monday 3 March 1980. This new library was made possible due to the bequest of $175 000 from Burnett Heads cane farmer Stanley Ross Faulkner, who left his estate to the Bundaberg City Council for the specific purpose of setting up a library. The total cost of the Library was around $400 000.

Around the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Library's growing popularity meant that it needed more space to house its collection, and mention was made of relocating to a new building. The current purpose-built Library at 49 Woondooma Street, opposite Central State School, opened to the public on 26 April 1994. The official opening was held on 29 April 1994. This new library cost $2.8 million.

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