New Marlborough library opens!

Marlborough Library opening

How do you kick off Library and Information Week in the best possible way?  Just go ahead and open a new library!  But not just any library, in any town, in any region… the library that Livingstone Shire Council Libraries re-opened on the 21^st May 2018 was very, very, VERY unique!  For starters it has a new location inside the one-hundred-year-old Marlborough Historical Railway Station,  that is part of the Marlborough Historical Museum.

Marlborough Railway Station interior before renovation

Previously the library was in a very small room in the nearby CWA Hall, with no electronic access to the internet or library services.  The community can now enjoy a much larger space with improved facilities including Wi-Fi, public access computers, and a whole new collection of books, movies, music, magazines and toys.  Everyone is excited about the new library, and many community members joined in for the celebrations to officially open the renovated and repurposed Historic Railway Station.

Renovated exterior

Marlborough State School was in attendance with all staff and students.  It was wonderful to see all the children involved, who sang the national anthem and were one the first groups to step inside this vastly improved and very unique facility.

New books shelves and furniture at Marlborough library

There was even a cake baked in the form of the Railway Station itself, which was cut by Livingstone Shire Council Mayor Bill Ludwig, students from Marlborough State School, and Meg Moore retiring long-term Marlborough Library Assistant.   Along with an official ribbon cutting, local television covering the event, plus a swag load of bunting, the library was officially declared open to the delight of all in attendance.  Thanks must go to the Marlborough Historical Museum for its support and partnership on the project.

Patrons enjoying the larger space and improved facilities

Not only has the Marlborough community gotten a great little library, but also a building of local historical significance has been revitalised for present use and preserved for future generations.

The revitalisation project was four years in the making and only made possible by the funding received from the State Library of Queensland through the Public Library Strategic Priorities Grant.

About the author

Julie Bickley is Coordinator, Library, Arts and Culture, Liveability and Wellbeing at Livingstone Shire Council