Upgraded library open day in Stratford
A four-year project to rejuvenate Stratford’s town library culminated in a grand opening ceremony.
More than 24,000 literary works are available at the town’s new library for its 7000 members.
Stratford District Council mayor Neil Volzke said he hoped that the ‘‘much better quality facility’’ would increase appearance.
‘‘As a council we see the library as a significant investment in the social and cultural well-being of our district,’’ he said.
‘‘It is a really important community asset and something that everyone can use and will enjoy for many years to come.’’
The $1 million upgrade is a part of the council’s Future of Broadway Project, which focuses on the Prospero Place area.
‘‘It is an investment in our future and will serve the community well for many years to come.’’
The new library is larger and has more windows and seating along both sides.
Stratford’s first library opened in March 1886 at the local primary school. It served 30 members and moved around town until it settled at the present site in 1980.
It was extended in 1998 and Volzke said it has grown to offer a number of services as well as books.
‘‘About 30 years ago the school library was seen as a lunch-time hideaway for frightened third form boys, who were trying to avoid the fourth form bullies,’’ he said.
‘‘Nowadays they’d be more likely to be sitting around together, so occupied taking advantage of the free wifi or using the internet services that they might barely notice that anyone else even exists.
‘‘In 2015 there were 24,000 wifi sessions, 13,500 computers sessions and there were 107,000 visitors to the building.’’
The library was housed at Stratford’s old RSA premises during the nine months it took to upgrade to build and decorate the new facility.
Volzke credited library staff for their resilience working in a pressured environment during that time.
‘‘They have done a great job in keeping the library operating and with barely any disruption to service. I’m sure the wait has been worthwhile,’’ he said.