It was the passion of one local woman that set the wheels in motion for Mona Vale’s very own library and her legacy is being marked at this weekend’s festivities to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The late Olive Beaton was instrumental in campaigning the local community to support her plight for a library in the northern part of the beaches. 

Northern Beaches Mayor Michael Regan said the community is forever grateful for her vision and community spirit which saw the doors open on 3 September 1972.  

“This is a momentous occasion, not only for the local community but also a tribute to Mrs Beaton who was instrumental in establishing this library.

“Libraries are so much more than just a place for books – they are safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces that support our community to learn and develop through their lives from baby bounce sessions, and HSC support through to book clubs and family history sessions.

“Our libraries are a gateway for knowledge including opportunities for literacy and education, community connection, and skills development.

“From its inception, Mona Vale Library has played a fundamental role in our society providing countless hours of reading, studying, research, local studies, programs for babies to seniors, author talks, items for loan, meetings and much, much more.” Mayor Regan said.

The idea for a library was coined when Mrs Beaton found it difficult to get her two children to Warringah Shire Library in Dee Why due to the distance from their school, particularly without a car.

In 1970 she was elected to the General Committee of the Mona Vale Branch of the Friends of Warringah Shire Library which provided much support to the campaign. In addition, she attended numerous Warringah Council meetings, organise deputations and sent letters to campaign for and promote such a facility over a period of five years.

Her daughter, Linda Touw fondly remembers her mother’s adoration when discovering her dream would become a reality.

“She used to also say she felt vindicated by the establishment of the library that she was so passionate about, and in her own words, “it certainly made all those council meeting attendances worthwhile”.

“If she were still alive today, she would say she is very proud that the library has been of such a wonderful benefit to the Pittwater (Northern Beaches) community for all these years and she is thrilled that her dream finally become a reality.”

In 2021/22 Mona Vale Library hosted more than 92,900 visits by community members and facilitated a range of tailored programs including Drop In and Knit, Movie Club, and the Memory Lane Café.

Community members have loaned more than 142,000 items from this branch in the last twelve months, and library staff have delivered items to 102 housebound members.

To commemorate Mona Vale Library’s 50th anniversary, a photographic exhibition of the library’s history, a talk by the Local History Librarian on the history of the Mona Vale area, a performance by Mona Vale Public School Choir, and afternoon tea from 1-3pm. See here for more information.