THE $8.1 million Williamstown library opened at noon last Thursday. Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell and Hobsons Bay mayor Tony Briffa officially opened the library, which was funded by the state government and the council.
Four years in the making, the library has 1399 square metres of floor space, an environmentally sustainable design that maximises sunlight, a 45,000-litre water tank, and hydronic heating and cooling.
Library users can access 18 computers, iPads and gaming consoles, a heritage room, gallery, community meeting spaces and a cafe.
Friends of Williamstown and Newport Libraries will have a room for selling secondhand books.
Williamstown ward’s Cr Angela Altair said Devco Constructions and Sally Draper and Mitsouri architects had created a space honouring the area’s history.
“The bluestone echoes the former bluestone quarry once on this site and the curved shell with its timber structure and paneling reflects the fine craftsmanship of traditional wood boats,” Cr Altair said.
The council is celebrating the library’s opening with two months of activities, including talks by authors, technology and gaming sessions, a Williamstown history series, school holiday program, music and poetry, an indigenous literacy project, book swap and information session, writing workshops and a Rainbow book chat for the GLBTIQ community.
Details: 1300 462 542 or visit libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
