Geelong library receives one millionth visitor

The Geelong Library and Heritage Centre welcomed its one-millionth visitor last Wednesday December 20, just a little over two years since opening to the public on November 21 in 2015.

The Geelong Library and Heritage Centre team waited in anticipation throughout the day as the exciting milestone occurred early afternoon, with a planned surprise celebration for the lucky one-millionth person to walk through the doors.

The unsuspecting visitor from Geelong was Amy Johnstone with her two children Penelope and Josephine, who are frequent attendees of the library.

Staff, Amy and other library visitors enjoyed confetti cannons, a hoola hoop artist, a giant 1,000,000 visits sign and loud music.

Cr Margot Smith, Chair of the Geelong Regional Library Corporation, said that it was a very special occasion for the organisation.

“The Geelong Library and Heritage Centre has met and exceeded all our expectations for it as a central library, cultural hub, place-maker and magnet for tourism,” Cr Smith said.

“Our community and the region’s visitors have voted with their feet to give the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre the seal of approval.”

The one-millionth visitor milestone comes in the same year that the Geelong Regional Library Corporation celebrated its 20th anniversary of formation and Cr Smith said that it was a strong signifier of what could be achieved through positive collaboration.

“The success of this central library and of the network as a whole is a tribute to collaboration – the partnership of our four member councils, the dedication and great work of our staff and the support and encouragement of our community.”

The Geelong Heritage Centre, housed within the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, recently welcomed its 100,000th visitor since opening, representing a significant increase in regular visitation since relocating to the new centre.