It was only four years ago residents had to fight Shoalhaven City Council to keep the Milton Library open. Now the state government granted almost $50,000 to refurbish the historic building.
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South Coast MP Shelley Hancock joined the fight to save Milton Library in 2014, and on Monday reiterated her commitment to making the facility better for the community to enjoy long into the future.
The grants will see the library transformed with new furniture and shelving to allow it to host a wider range of activities.
Friends of Milton Library President Alison Pakes said the vision was to create a space that was a “community hub”.
“At the moment, there really isn’t anywhere to sit,” she said.
“This will allow us to have comfortable chairs and spaces for people to meet and read. We want this space to be used by community groups.”
Although the money won’t see the library extended, it will allow for better use of the current space.
“This money means all the shelving will be along the walls, besides some low shelving in the middle which will be on wheels so it can be moved,” Mrs Pakes said.
“It will make better use of the space, and there will be a lot more chairs and tables for children’s activities. We will also have a screen and projector so we can hold events.”
The library will be on of the venues in next year’s StoryFest event, a writing festival which is set to have a steller lineup.
Mrs Pakes said the Friends of Milton Library had “fought” really hard to make the space a success.
“It is fantastic. We have worked really hard and are absolutely thrilled,” she said.
“We have so many plans for different programs, but until now we have been restrained by space and furnishings.
“There will be so much more happening at Milton Library.”
Mrs Hancock said the library was “thriving”.
“It’s incredible to think that only a few years ago the library was under threat of closure,” she said.
“Now it is thoroughly thriving and operating as the local community’s literary, learning and cultural hub, with popular programmes such as story time and the new book club service having more than 200 participants.
“It is because of this growing popularity and demand that the library’s activities are constrained by the current configuration.”
The library will shut for two weeks in October while the refurbishment is complete.
Emily Barton
Emily Barton is a Producer at The Canberra Times.
Emily Barton is a Producer at The Canberra Times.
