Library to installmovable shelving as part of $200,000 upgrade

BALLINA library is set to undergo major works as part of a $200,000 upgrade which will see new flooring and the installation of movable shelving.

Planning has been in place since midway through last year, with the library to be closed for two months from Monday, September 1.

The funding is part of the Public Library Infrastructure Grant from the State Library of NSW and the Capital Works Program from Ballina Shire Council.

“This project is about giving our much-loved library a freshen-up, so it continues to serve our community well into the future” mayor Sharon Cadwallader said.

“We’re renewing the flooring, painting, upgrading the service counter, and installing modern, movable shelving to make the space more flexible and welcoming.”

Ballina Library provides numerous programs that promote creativity and learning with a limited number of services to continue in a modified capacity.

A temporary library will be set up in the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre from Monday, September 8.

Patrons can pick up reserved items, access a limited collection of adult and junior fiction and non-fiction, youth fiction, picture and board books, and a small number of audiobooks.

The Mobile Library will offer similar services parked opposite the Ballina War Memorial Swimming Pool on Saturdays from 1-4pm, and Sundays from 9.30am-4pm.

Read, Make, Play community programs will be held every Wednesday at the Richmond Room.

All other programming will be on pause throughout the refurbishment works.

The after-hours return chute at Ballina Library will not be available during this time.

Patrons can access after-hours return chutes, along with other library services, at both the Alstonville and Lennox Head libraries.