Les Johnson (Berri)
One of my earliest memories was being awarded a one-year subscription for the library when at primary school in the 1950’s. The Institute obviously presented each year an encouragement award to a student who could benefit from a subscription – I was far from being the best reader or top student.
I recall the library being more in tune to the needs of adult borrowers than children’s interests or skills, and I remember it was mainly westerns and non-fiction that were borrowed. One of the books I know I read was Bush Christmas based on the 1940’s Chips Rafferty film of the same name. The book contained photographs from the film, perhaps a first example of a movie book.
Three halls were available in Berri of the 1950’s – the Institute, the Rivoli Theatre and the then new CWA Hall. Some churches had started to build small halls. The Institute hall was regularly used for weddings, concerts and plays. Even then I had the impression that the hall was old. The Berri Council office was next door. When a fire destroyed the store and offices of the Berri Cooperative Packing Union early in the 1960’s, its office staff also moved into the Institute building. The building has continued to be used for a range of purposes since that time.
My mother, Fay, was part of a group that painted a mural on the southern external wall. The painting depicted the original Berri Hotel, with a vintage car in the foreground.
We lived out of town and my mother took me to change my books. I seem to recall this was at night. Maybe this was the case with volunteer staff when the 9 to 5 philosophy was not so prevalent. My mother would chat with the old ladies (child’s view) while I checked out the shelves and display tables. Even then most of the books appeared old, hardcover with few dust jackets in place. Money was obviously an issue. The library stock was a far cry from the modern library and system where I can now request any resource (book, DVD, audio disk) held by any public library in South Australia.
