- Published:
- Thursday 24 September 2015
The Geelong community is set to benefit from the spectacular new $45.5 million Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, on track to be open by the end of 2015.
Minister for Local Government Natalie Hutchins today visited the site to view progress of the new nine-level, 5 star environmentally sustainable library.
The Geelong Library and Heritage Centre replaces the former 50-year library, housing up to 100,000 library collection items, and feature cutting edge technology and spaces to encourage interactive learning.
The new space for Geelong residents will offer over 40 PCs, a video wall, five games machines, a 100 inch games screen, touch screen devices, a 3D printer, café and dedicated spaces for children and young people.
The centre sits in the heart of Geelong’s Cultural Precinct alongside the Geelong Gallery, the Geelong Performing Arts Centre and the former Courthouse building.
The centre is being built thanks to $15 million contributed by the Victorian Government, $10 million from the Commonwealth Government and $20.5 million from the City of Greater Geelong.
The Geelong Regional Library Corporation incorporates 16 libraries and two mobile libraries and will benefit from more than $1.8 million in funding this year from the Andrews Labor Government under the Public Libraries Funding Program.
The Labor Government provides a broad range of funding to Victoria’s libraries, including a record $40.5 million through the Public Libraries Funding Program, the $4.3 million Living Libraries Infrastructure Program and the $1.1 million Premiers’ Reading Challenge Book Fund.
Quotes attributable to the Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins
“Once completed, the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre will be a fantastic, vibrant and interactive space for the people of Geelong.”
“Geelong’s libraries will share in the more than $1.8 million in funding we’ve secured for our Public Libraries Funding Program.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Geelong Christine Couzens
"I know how much local residents love our libraries. The new Library and Heritage Centre will be an important community space in the heart of Geelong."