$22m library to open

The Courier was given an exclusive walkthrough of the completed 1700sq m premises this week, just a few days before the grand opening.

The project was funded by both the State and Federal governments.

For the past two weeks, library staff have been transferring all the books, equipment and infrastructure from their current location to the new facility.

While the premises Dome Cafe opened to much fanfare earlier in the year, the library itself will open to the public on Monday.

Community organisations set to use the top floor of the library will have to wait a little longer before moving in because works to their customised office spaces are still ongoing.

The spacious new library features a digital self-checkout system, community noticeboards, an audiovisual area with access to gaming consoles, study and activity rooms, a children’s library section that will also host the Kwinana Toy Library in coming months, a local and indigenous history section and a |temperature-controlled archive room.

The number of public access computers at the library has increased from four to 24.

Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said the facility was one of Perth’s most state-of-the-art public libraries.

‘It’s taken a bit longer than we’d hoped, but with the opening now on our doorstep it’s time for the Kwinana community to get excited,’ she said.