When Chilwell Library was on the verge of closure in 2017, a staunch and dedicated group of residents mobilised their community to keep this cherished local hub open.
Their campaign gained the support of thousands and persuaded City of Greater Geelong’s then state government-appointed administrators to keep the facility open.
Fast forward eight years, and I was thrilled to meet with members of Chilwell Library Group last week to celebrate a new chapter for this beloved site.
Together, we marked the beginning of construction on an upgrade to transform the library into a modern, light-filled facility while preserving its intimate, neighbourhood charm.
It was a pleasure to celebrate this important milestone with the people who galvanised our library patrons to keep this important resource up to par for the Newtown community.
After eight years of advocacy, I’m sure all who fought for these upgrades will be delighted by this long-awaited outcome.
These upgrades are a collaborative effort, and we worked closely with Geelong Regional Libraries and Chilwell Library Group to design a welcoming space that meets the needs of the community.
The budget for this significant upgrade is $2.5 million, supported by a $150,000 grant from the Victorian government’s Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.
The works balance the need for new facilities while drawing on the tranquil surrounding gardens. They feature flexible meeting rooms, a welcoming outdoor deck, improved amenities including public toilets, and stronger connections to the park.
This project speaks volumes to how much our community values our libraries.
Not only are our libraries a resource for loaning books and celebrating literacy, they are also a key service providing vital community information and social connection for all in Greater Geelong.
Learning is a lifelong skill and, in an age where so much of our literacy and learning is digitised, our libraries remain a central hub for community, social interaction and important skill sharing.
Geelong Regional Libraries present more than 4000 events every year. From toddler time through to lectures with inspiring writers and thinkers, these venues host something for every age and interest.
For those who feel they are falling behind in the new digital age, our libraries offer fantastic informative workshops particularly focused on supporting our ageing population to build digital skills.
Events like these keep our community connected and informed.
The Chilwell upgrades demonstrate just how important our libraries are in all corners of our municipality. We are investing significantly in new libraries within our developing areas while ensuring our established suburbs can continue to appreciate and enjoy fantastic, upgraded facilities.
It’s so telling that within a week of celebrating the first-year anniversary at Biyal-a Armstrong Creek Library, we turned the sod on this exciting new upgrade at Chilwell.
Our libraries are a vital resource, and I would like to thank the Chilwell Library Group and Newtown community for its continued advocacy for this important hub.
The library will be closed until around April next year, so we encourage patrons to visit nearby libraries in the interim to support these valuable spaces and celebrate literacy and learning together.
