Seymour MP Ben Hardman (right) at last week’s announcement with (from left) librarian Julie Bailey, Cr Jeanette McRae and Cr Len Cox.
By Kath Gannaway
RESIDENTS of Healesville will soon have access to a new state-of-the-art library as part of the Victorian Government’s Living Libraries Program.
Seymour MP Ben Hardman announced a $500,000 grant on Wednesday saying it would help construct a library that would be about five times bigger than the current one.
“The Healesville Community Library is a partnership project between the State Government and the Shire of Yarra Ranges which has also contributed to the project,” Mr Hardman said.
“The new library means increased space for a new indigenous collection, meeting places, e-learning facilities and areas for public talks and special events.
“Expanded facilities in the new library mean that members of the community will be able to access information on vital issues such as health, education, employment, housing and justice,” he said.
Yarra Ranges councillors, mayor Len Cox and Ryrie Ward’s Cr Jeanette McRae and head librarian Julie Bailey joined Mr Hardman for the announcement.
Cr Cox said the library was a well-used facility and thanked Mr Hardman as the local MP for his government’s support.
“We’re very grateful,” he said, adding that the relationship the shire has with the state government was “second to none”.
Cr McRae said the funding would help make the vision the shire has for the library a reality.
Ms Bailey said Eastern Regional Libraries and the Healesville staff were looking forward to moving into the new facility.
Work is expected to begin on the building project early next year.
The Eastern Regional Libraries Corporation received $2.2 million in State Government funding, an increase of 2.9 per cent on last year.
