Community
25 October, 2023
Big first year for new library
THE new Warrnambool Library and Learning Centre has cemented itself at the heart of the community, attracting over 197,000 visits in its first year.
Thousands of people every week use the library as a place to learn, work, play, create and connect.
The new library signed up more than 6000 new members in its first year. Books remain a favourite reason, while more than 15,400 attendances were recorded at 574 learning programs offered at the library.
The Library Café, operated by Tasty Plate, has become a popular meeting place.
Warrnambool City mayor Debbie Arnott said the library could not have arrived at a better time.
“With more people now working and learning from home, and more single person households than ever before, the library provides a comfortable and welcoming environment to work or study, or to connect with community,” she said.
The Digital Lab and Sound Lab are proving popular with creatives and makers, and the children’s library and early years programs are instilling a love of books, stories and learning in hundreds of children every week.
Cr Arnott said the way in which the community had embraced the library showed residents placed a high value on literacy and lifelong learning.
“In its first year the library has lent over 219,000 items and it’s wonderful to see that the most borrowed children’s fiction book was Custodians, the second in the Wylah the Koorie Warrior series by local authors Jordan Gould and Richard Pritchard,” she said.
“The library is preparing for a great community anniversary celebration this Saturday, October 21 and everyone is invited. There will of course be cake and also a draw to win a ‘Ticket to Warrnambool’ that includes access to Warrnambool’s favourite attractions, services and products valued at over $2500.”
According to the Cr Arnott, every existing and new library member will go into the draw.
“We’re encouraging everyone to explore this fabulous facility and sign up for a membership to go into the draw. Membership for Warrnambool residents is free.”
Throughout its first year, the library has enjoyed an eventful time. Its quickest sell-out event was Emma Memma Storytime (booked out in 45 minutes) while its most attended event was author of ‘I Millenial’ Tom Ballard’s visit which attracted a crowd of 150.
‘Australian House and Garden’ was the most borrowed magazine while Sophie Green’s ‘The Bellbird River Country Choir’ was the most borrowed adult fiction.
‘Wylah #2 Custodians’ (by Richard Pritchard and Jordan Gould) was the most borrowed children’s fiction and ‘Pig the Blob’ (Aaron Blabey) was the most borrowed picture book.
Residents and visitors of all ages are encouraged to visit the Warrnambool Library and Learning Centre, at 8 Kepler Street (on the South West TAFE campus) and discover for themselves why it has already won a string of architecture and design awards.
