Council secures funding for Haberfield Library improvements
Monday, 11 March 2019
Inner West Council has secured an $80,000 grant in the Metropolitan Public Library Grant Program, through the State Library of NSW.
The funding is in addition to the almost $4 million being spent by Council to upgrade the Haberfield Centre and Library and Mervyn Fletcher Hall.
“Creating an accessible space is really important to Council so we’re pleased this funding will go towards the installation of a lift, internal ramps within the library and accessible toilets,” said Group Manager Library and History Caroline McLeod.
“We’ll also be able to update our layout and interiors, improve connectivity and flow between the library and community rooms as well as increase our Italian literature to better cater to our local area.”
There will be a new music performance and rehearsal space and kitchen facilities on level one, upgraded landscaping and new services including air-conditioning.
Haberfield Library will close for 12 months later this year however under the new digital borrowing system; users have access to over 1.4 million books, films, magazines, digital media, historical images and documents from all Inner West Council libraries.
To celebrate the new system being introduced, Council wiped existing fines for lost or overdue items for all library members while fines will now only be charged for people 18 years and over.
Smart shelving has also been implemented at Ashfield, Leichhardt and Balmain libraries and will be added to other Inner West Council libraries in the coming months. Nicknamed the ‘magic shelves’ by customers, they loan and return items automatically when books are placed on the shelves.
Visit the libraries page for further information.
For an interview with Group Manager Library and History Caroline McLeod, or for a print quality image, contact the Communications team.