On this day, in 1960, Albert Ullin opened The Little Bookroom in Melbourne.
I first knew the shop in 1977 as a tiny space in Equitable Place in the city. It glowed its welcome through plate glass windows to the warm wooden shelves filled with books I hadn’t read. In 1977, I’d just started my librarianship course at nearby RMIT – but my real education as a children’s librarian began with meeting Albert.
I met all kinds of people in the book trade then – smarmy salespeople and pushy pedlars. They would come to the library and leave boxfuls of books that I’d take my turn at trawling through, trying to match the titles with reviews I’d read or other scanty scraps of knowledge. Children’s literature wasn’t offered as part of my course until 4th year – how could I wait that long!
Albert let all of his customers browse, pull out titles, turn the pages slowly and enjoy. There was not much space to sit but always a shelf to lean against, and as I looked and read, my picture book education began. He would chat if you wanted to, gently suggest another to look at, and never mind if I left without buying anything. (My boyfriend at the time cheerfully opened his wallet at Christmas time.)
Through the next forty years, I visited the shop through its relocations : as a buyer for public libraries; a parent; budding book reviewer; and a guide for overseas visitors. Many others – book creators, publishers, and academics relied on Albert for their professional development – and he was a friend to all.
He passed away four years ago last month.
Here is his obituary, which I co-wrote with his niece Sophie Ullin.
He left a bequest for the Albert Ullin Award to be conferred by the Children’s Book Council of Australia, Victorian Branch. This year’s recipient will be announced soon.
The Little Bookroom continues today, thriving in North Fitzroy under the direction of the Lambert family.
Thanks, Albert!
40 Years of Picture Books 