New era on the horizon for Woolgoolga Library

WOOLGOOLGA Library is turning a new page with a series of renovations that will brighten the space and significantly improve the visitor experience.

The City of Coffs Harbour was successful in its application for a Public Library Infrastructure Grant from the State Library of NSW to the tune of $150,000 to refresh Woolgoolga Library.

The interior building works at the Ganderton Street facility will see the library close to the public at noon on Saturday 3 January ahead of its refurbishment and anticipated re-opening in March.

“We know how popular and valued the Woolgoolga Library is, so during this necessary temporary closure period we’ll be putting several measures in place so members and visitors can continue to access our programs and collections,” City Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said.

These include:

● Library members will be able to borrow up to 60 items from any City library branch until 15 March

● In demand special collections including Rapid Reads, Readalongs, games and jigsaws will be moved temporarily from Woolgoolga to the Harry Bailey Memorial Library at Yarrila Place to enable continued access

● Online resources including ebooks, audio books, databases and movies remain available to Woolgoolga Library members 24/7

● Library members can reserve up to 30 items

● A Click and Collect service for reserved materials will operate from the Wiigulga Sports Complex from the week starting 12 January. Reserved items can be picked up on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1 and 3pm. Rapid Reads and special collections (with a two-week loan period) can also be returned to staff at those times at Wiigulga or at the Harry Bailey Memorial Library or Toormina Library

● Computer access and printing services will be available from the Woolgoolga Neighbourhood Centre, 35 Beach Street, Woolgoolga, from Monday 12 January. The hours for the centre are Monday to Friday 9am-3pm

● The regular JP service will also transfer to the Neighbourhood Centre from 12 January until the library re-opens in March; and

● The Woolgoolga Library meeting room will be closed during the refurbishment and regular user groups will be notified.

“All of the programs and services at Woolgoolga will resume when the building renovations are completed and that will be an exciting time for the community to experience the freshly modernised space,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Questions regarding the Woolgoolga arrangements can be directed to the Harry Bailey Memorial or Toormina libraries (phone 6648 4900 or email coffs.library@chcc.nsw.gov.au). For more information on the refurbishment, keep an eye on the Coffs Harbour Libraries Facebook page, Instagram account, website (libraries.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au) or subscribe to the Libraries e-newsletter.