General News
20 March, 2019
New home for library complete
AFTER months of construction works along Mortlake’s Dunlop Street, the town’s new library space is set to open on Friday (tomorrow). The ‘Mortlake Community Centre and Library’ building is the culmination of about eight months of...
AFTER months of construction works along Mortlake’s Dunlop Street, the town’s new library space is set to open on Friday (tomorrow).
The ‘Mortlake Community Centre and Library’ building is the culmination of about eight months of construction work, during which the library facilities were relocated to the Mortlake Day Centre on Boundary Road.
Mortlake librarian Jackie Elliott said the final preparations to get the space ready for use are almost complete.
“We are very excited and looking forward to everyone visiting us in the new building,” she said.
Moyne Shire buildings co-ordinator Greg Howat said library staff and information centre volunteers are looking forward to the move back to the Dunlop Street site.
“We are excited to get the project over the line,” he said.
Shire manager of community development Jacquie Anderton said the front of the building will be finalised during the latter half of the year.
“The pathway and the artificial grass is an interim measure,” she said.
“We want to make that a community-type gathering space.”
A garden wall/art piece will also be part of the landscaping design connecting the front of the building to the Dunlop Street footpath.
Ms Anderton said the new building and internal facilities will be a “massive improvement” compared to the former library and information centre spaces.
“The Corangamite Regional Library Corporation and the Mortlake Community Development Committee (MCDC) have been really co-operative and supportive,” she said.
“Their commitment to working together has been really good throughout the process.”
Geelong author Fiona Lowe will be visiting the new library to give a presentation on her new book ‘Home Fires’ this Thursday from 7.30pm (tonight).
The Mortlake information centre facilities will move into the building once Centrelink services are connected to the new building, with an exact date to be yet confirmed.
The works are the result of a $500,000 State Government funding commitment through the Living Libraries Infrastructure program last March, as well as Moyne Shire Council’s $300,000 allocation and MCDC’s $50,000 contribution.
The new development includes a combined library and information centre space, dedicated office space, a study research area and a multi-purpose room for community use.