The Clyde Township Community Centre is now home to a new Library Lounge, providing residents in Clyde and surrounding areas access to library collections, 24/7 library lockers and programming.
City of Casey Mayor Cr Stefan Koomen and Casey Councillors joined Connected Libraries CEO Beth Luppino at a Family Fun Day on Saturday 14 February to celebrate the library opening.
Local families enjoyed free face painting, interactive library activities, roving entertainment, a magic show, a sausage sizzle and giveaways.
The Library Lounge, which is a small library branch, was funded by the Council and will be operated by Connected Libraries.
The Lounge will remain in place until a full-service library branch is developed as part of a proposed community hub in the Clyde area in the coming years.
Cr Koomen said: “The Clyde Township Library Lounge is an innovative and cost-effective solution to ensure the Clyde community has access to library services. This is a welcoming and safe space where residents can read, learn, connect and build relationships that strengthen our community.
“The new space is ideally positioned to support Storytime and Baby Rhyme Time sessions, as well as other programs, such as Tech Time and Crafty @ Clyde. There is a range of children’s collections, as well as a selection of materials for adult readers.”
Ms Luppino said: “Accessible library spaces at the heart of our communities are essential. It’s crucial that people don’t have to travel far to access their local library, and the new Clyde Library Lounge ensures the community can connect with library services, including 24/7 Library Lockers close to home.
“Being co-located with the kindergarten gives us a wonderful opportunity to engage local families and support children to get the best possible start with reading and learning.
“This new lounge will link the Clyde community to free library collections, events and programs, as well as essential information services including internet access and public computers.”
Located at 45 Valetta Street in Clyde, the Library Lounge is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and the library lockers are available 24/7 to collect holds and return items.
