Eurobodalla councillors moved at its Ordinary meeting of Tuesday May 22nd 2018 to accept the $66,000 in funding that has been offered to Council via the NSW State Library Public Infrastructure Funding program to support improved accessibility, a creative children’s space and inclusive spaces for the community at Batemans Bay library. In the report to Councillors from Kathy Arthur -Director Community, Arts and Recreation Services she advised that the current Batemans Bay Library and Education Campus has been operating in the Hanging Rock site since 2000 and enjoys co-location with the University of Wollongong and NSW TAFE.
The report offered "A grant application was submitted to the NSW government to seeking $66,000 to revitalise facilities, fittings and furniture inside the library.
"The project seeks to refurbish the Children’s area to benefit the children, parents and carers in providing an engaging and imaginative space for storytelling, reading, creative arts and performance and to create a shop front space at the entrance of the library that will benefit the community in providing a welcoming and relaxed space where high interest books can be browsed. "In consultation with local Aboriginal representatives, and working with the strategies of Indigenous Spaces in Library Places the project will also seek to give benefit to the local Aboriginal communities in delivering an area that is both welcoming and culturally appropriate" she advised.
"The project would also see activation of public reading areas with accessible furniture that will benefit the elderly and people with a physical disability, providing furniture which is compatible with wheelchairs, mobility scooters and chairs suitable for elderly patrons resulting in a more inclusive library space. In conclusion Ms Arthur summarised "The project will create an overall look and feel for the library that will be welcoming and comfortable, refreshing the facility significantly. Accessible and comfortable furniture, coordination of style and creative spaces will allow easier use of, and access to, collections and services. The refurbishment will also specifically address the needs of children, seniors and people with disabilities."
