Gerringong residents will soon have a new space for reading, learning and meeting together with the completion of a new $4.6 million museum and library.
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Gerringong Library and Museum (GLaM) in Blackwood Street includes the refurbished 138-year-old School of Arts hall combined with a new building.
It holds not only the library and a museum - the latter run by the Gerringong and District Historical Society - but also an exhibition gallery and multi-use community spaces.
The building will open to the public on December 1.
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IT librarian Catherine Taylor said the old library, which was housed in the town hall, was small and not very accessible. While it had a "great collection" for its size, Ms Taylor said, it was not very functional.
Gerringong library officer Lauren Watkins said the new library would make it much easier to run programs for children and adults, plus it was light and airy.
Staff spent a day ahead of yesterday's building reveal unpacking 800 brand new books for the library, which will form most of its collection.
The library includes free public WiFi, computers, and reading nooks and study spaces. It will also open five days a week, up from two.
Historical society member and former library manager Bobbie Miller said the plan to improve the town's library was born in 2006, following extensions to Kiama's library.
A lack of funding saw the project stall, Ms Miller said, but in 2016 the first grant came through.
Kiama Mayor Mark Honey recognised the historical society, and particularly its president Helen McDermott, as a driving force behind the project.
"I think it's important there is a single location people can come to and see the history, and how the area has developed from timber, dairy, through to what it is today," Cr Honey said.
The School of Arts had "been part of the lives and itself has had many lives in the story of Gerringong", Ms McDermott said, and would hopefully serve the community for another 100 years.
Kiama Municipal Council received a $1.25 million grant from the federal government and $250,000 in state government funding for the project.
The State Library pitched in with $200,000.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
