Parkes Shire Library will soon be moving to its new, temporary home in Clarinda Street as work begins on the expansion of the town's library building.
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Renovations won't take place until August, but during construction the library will relocate to Shop 2, 250 Clarinda Street (alongside Discount Dave's) for 12 months.
The innovative and modern expansion project will deliver new dynamic art, cultural and education spaces. The architecturally designed indoor and outdoor facility will provide an additional 455m2 metres of space, including a gallery and intergenerational-maker space, meeting rooms, quiet study areas, additional room for children's programs, places to connect with technology and 'green areas'.
"Parkes Library is an integral hub for our community and the demand for cultural experiences and learning opportunities has simply outgrown the 18-year-old building, with more than 42 per cent of our local population regular users of the library," Manager of Cultural, Education and Library Services, Kerryn Jones said.
"More than 100 groups and organisations helped develop the concepts for the new facility, which will significantly enhance the existing services, as well as provide access to resources, programs, services and initiatives that are currently not available to our community.
"Not only will these upgrades bring enormous benefit culturally and socially to the shire, economic benefits will flow in from visitors coming to town for art exhibitions and cultural workshops."
The library will continue to offer as many of their regular programs and activities in the new location as possible.
"To allow us to relocate into our new space in Clarinda Street, the library will be closed from Monday, August 5 until Monday, September 2," Kerryn said.
"Access to online collections and resources will still be available during the closure period.
"We have also extended the loan period for an additional 30 days, as well as increased the number of items that can be borrowed."
The 'returns chute' will continue to operate as normal until Saturday, August 24. From August 26, book returns can be made at 2/250 Clarinda Street.
Throughout the closure period, two computers will be made available for free public use at Parkes Shire Council's Administration Office at 2 Cecile Street, Parkes.
This includes accessing the internet and Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Use will be limited to 30 minutes. Items can be scanned and faxed for free, or printed and photocopied at a cost, starting at $0.30.
Kerryn said the branch libraries at Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore will continue to operate as normal.
The $2.2 million Parkes Shire Library Expansion Project is being funded through the NSW Government's Regional Cultural Fund, Public Library Infrastructure Grant, and Parkes Shire Council.
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