A funky new book nook is just one of the great new features that has transformed Dural Library.
The updated library has just re-opened after a six-week refurbishment thanks to $160,000 from Hills Shire Council plus a $93,240 grant from the NSW Government and The Library Council of NSW.
Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne officially reopened Dural Library, together with State Member for Castle Hill MP Ray Williams and Cameron Morley, Manager of Public Library Services at the State Library of NSW, Mr Morley congratulated the State Government on the huge increase in funding for public libraries, equalling $60m over four years, the biggest increase since 1939.
“A small suburban library can make a big difference to a community,” he said.
Mayor Byrne called it a new chapter for Dural Library.
“We’ve created a more modern and user-friendly community space where people can learn and collaborate together“
She thanked both the State Library and The Library Council of NSW for their “generous contribution”.
Mr Williams said : “This funding has assisted Council in making this much-loved local library advance and evolve to meet our community’s needs.”
In the ultimate act of recycling members of the Rotary Club of Hills- Kellyville took the library’s old shelving and installed it at a Secondary School, in Vanuatu.
Members of the Club have been working with the school on the island of Vanua Lavasince 2005.
Treasurer of the Hills-Kellyville Club, Keith Stapley said: “It’s great to see Council donating items like the library shelving to charities and clubs like Rotary, so that we can make best use of them rather than having them thrown out or stored away.
“The library shelving is being repurposed and the school kids will get a lot of value out of it, especially when it comes to storing their books and keeping them safe from damage, like moisture.”
The Mayor, congratulated the club on finding a way to reuse the shelving so quickly.
“It’s great to see Dural Library’s shelving going to a good home and will be used to change the lives of children.”
“Education is incredibly important, especially to young and growing minds. It has the means to transform lives, create opportunities, and open the doors locally and to the rest of the world.”
IN the past 10 years Dural Library has:
• Made more than 694, 849 loans
• Welcomed 490139 visitors
• Delivered story time to more than 5,889 children
