Library returns

ALMOST three years after images of piles of flood-damaged books that had been discarded out the window shocked people around the world, Lismore City Library has reopened to the public.

The restored building incorporates innovative flood-resilient features, such as non-porous epoxy flooring.

The ground floor level has been designed so that it can easily be hosed out, with exposed concrete floors and walls. Vents have also been cut into the wall to allow for air flow.

It also boasts a new information desk and will feature a vinyl decal depicting the Wilsons River on the wall that can easily be reprinted.

The level one toilets that previously took up four bays of windows have been repositioned to make the most of the sunlight, which now streams in onto mobile aluminium shelving lined with some of the 100,000 books that have been bought or donated since the 2022 floods.

“Rather than going back to rows and rows of shelving we have incorporated different designs to make it more open,” Lismore area librarian Michael Lewis said.

A room that previously housed garbage bins and an empty space at the end of a corridor have been transformed into meeting rooms.

There is also a dedicated space for children featuring a hardwood tree and colourful cushions, while teens can make the most of a modern youth area with study booths and charging stations.

The $5.6 million restoration was made possible through funding from the State and Federal governments, the State Library of NSW and Lismore City Council.

The Lismore Pop-up Library on Molesworth Street and the Lismore Children’s Library in Lismore Central Shopping Centre have relocated to the refurbished building.

Some construction work, including the installation of the lift, is still being carried out.

An official opening event is being planned for March, followed by a community open day featuring a range of events in May.