At the official opening of the new Parkes Library and Cultural Centre were (L-R) Cr Bill Jayet, Cr Pat Smith, Deputy Mayor Cr Barbara Newton, Sam Farraway MLC, Kerryn Jones and Les Finn of Parkes Shire Council.
The new Parkes Library and Cultural Centre is ready to deliver educational, cultural and social opportunities for all members of our community and visitors to our region in its impressive indoor and outdoor facilities.
“In regional communities libraries play a pivotal role in providing a safe, inclusive learning space for the whole community,” said Sam Farraway, member for the NSW Legislative Council at the official opening of the $3.4 million Parkes Shire Library expansion project last Friday.
“The Parkes Library and Cultural Centre truly embraces the notion of lifelong learning. The new facilities provide opportunities from birth through to tertiary opportunities to support those who are wanting to further their education, and encourages the more mature members of our community to share their knowledge and skills and learn new ones. The NSW Government is very proud to have supported this wonderfully inclusive project,” Sam said.
Kevin Bloomfield performed a smoking ceremony as part of the official ceremony in acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land, the Wiradjuri people and recognis- ing the language and culture that is so important in education and culture within the community.
Many residents and visitors have already taken the opportunity to visit the spacious, architecturally designed indoor and outdoor facility. The innovative and modern expansion delivers new art, cultural and education spaces plus a brand-new intergenerational Makerspace Studio which will provide a wide range of creative learning opportunities, experiences and events.
Other features include lounge areas, meeting and quiet study spaces, local studies room with access to ancestry.com and expanded indoor and outdoor spaces for children’s and early learning programs.
The centre will also be home to the newly established Country Universities Centre (CUC) in Parkes, which will provide the regional community with opportunities for higher education study without having to relocate to the city.
Doro Tom – the library’s longest serving member was also at the official opening. She is with Kerryn Jones (left)
“We are really proud of the new space and encourage our community, members or not, to come and visit and make the most of the fabulous free facilities,” said Parkes Shire Deputy Mayor Cr Barbara Newton at the opening.
“Lifelong learning is the first objective of the Parkes Community Strategic Plan and this fabulous new space will allow all members of our community and visitors to our region, to come and enjoy the educational, cultural and social opportunities the new Parkes library has to offer.”
State Library NSW Manager Public Library Services, Cameron Morley said: “Parkes Library is a consistently high performer in comparison with other libraries across NSW, and the significant enhancements to the building will ensure that the people of Parkes will continue to enjoy a first-rate library service for many years to come. The State Library is very pleased to have been able to support the project and congratulates council on its commitment to library services.”
Parkes Shire Council’s Les Finn and Phil Donato MP outside the new Parkes Library and Cultural Centre.