Horsham library marks milestone
Horsham Library celebrated an important milestone as it notched up 50 years in the Mibus Centre last week.
The library was formerly located at Horsham Mechanics Institute but received its own space in the purpose-built Mibus Centre on Mclachlan Street in 1968.
The move coincided with the formation of Wimmera Regional Library Corporation, which now operates 10 branches and a mobile library across the region.
Wimmera Regional Library Corporation support services manager Ros Ryan said the 50th anniversary of the move to the Mibus Centre was a milestone for the Horsham community.
“The move out of the Mechanics Institute where you had to pay a subscription to be a member meant in effect that it became a free library,” she said.
“The formation of Wimmera Regional Library Corporation gave the impetus to construct the new building in Horsham as well as libraries at Warracknabeal and Kaniva.” Horsham Library initially shared the Mibus Centre with Horsham Regional Art Gallery, but the gallery has since moved to Horsham Town Hall.
Ms Ryan said the library had adapted to changing times and technologies, and would continue to reinvent itself.
“It has grown to be more than just books,” she said.
“As technology changed we started to incorporate things like video cassettes and CDS.
“The challenge for us is to stay relevant, but to stay true to our original ideals as well.
“We’re not going to stop offering books because ebooks have come along.”