Local History Library - About us

A valuable resource for the community of Toowoomba and surrounding areas is the City Library’s impressive local history collection, located at 476 Ruthven Street.

A key element is the Robinson Collection, named in memory of Queensland’s first female mayor and Mayor of Toowoomba from 1967 to 1981, Nellie E. Robinson.  Many rare and valuable items were purchased from her generous bequest to the library.

The collection contains material covering historic and contemporary aspects of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.  The Robinson Collection holds over 5 000 books about the area, or by local authors. The library has over 3 000 photographs. We collect items in a variety of other formats including videos, dvd's, cd-roms, audiocassettes, maps, newspaper clippings files and more.  The Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette are held on microfilm.  There are also genealogical resources for Australia on microfiche, film and CD-Rom. (see Family history page)

Should you have material, old photographs, documents, maps or any information on people, places or events connected with Toowoomba or the Darling Downs, the Librarians would appreciate hearing from you.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9:30am to 1:00pm. Closed : Sunday and Monday.
Telephone: (07) 4638 7766