From its first appearance as an old garage in the 1960s, to today's smooth architect-designed "community living room", the Warilla library's journey has been more like a series of volumes, than a novella.
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Which is one reason why Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba was in such a celebratory mood on Wednesday, opening the library and dedicating it to the people of Warilla.
"It is a big deal - because it's an important asset for the people of Warilla," Cr Saliba said.
"It's a fairly disadvantaged area [and] we were giving something to a community that really needed it."
Hundreds of people, including three former mayors, and members of parliament, turned out for the opening.
"It was wonderful to see the first purpose-built library in Warilla," Cr Saliba said.
"It gave me great delight for the people of Warilla. It's about giving children opportunities - giving people opportunities."
From the garage on Shellharbour Rd, to the youth centre where it moved in the 1980s, to its new location
"It's unbelievable - I know people say that libraries are a dying area but they're not.
"In our experience we've found that libraries, and the demand for libraries, are growing.
"Not only is it about books, about a safe place for people to gather, other information are resources as well - like a community living room."
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Ben Langford
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on.
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on.
