Blue Mountains News

Public libraries have operated in the Blue Mountains since the first library branch opened its doors in Springwood in 1974.

To celebrate, Blue Mountains Library is hosting a series of activities and events for 50 days, featuring a photographic trip down memory lane, Library of the Future competition and creation of a time capsule, all culminating in ourGolden Anniversary Party on Saturday 16 November at all Library branches.

Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill said: “Public libraries are and have always been a cornerstone of community.

“We live in a very modern world and it can often feel like every part of it is contained in the digital world. Our libraries remain relevant, and more than that, they remain vibrant community hubs," Cr Greenhill said.

“Libraries have always been more than a building used to house books. They are a bastion of equality and access, and they belong to all of us. They have educated us, given communities a place to thrive, and brought everyone who visits them the purest joy – a good book.

“Public libraries have evolved along with the rest of society and today’s library is a whole new world. There are still books, but there’s also a multitude of items to borrow from science kits to home energy saving kits, graphic novels to music and DVD collections, and even car manuals,” Cr Greenhill said.

Blue Mountains City Council has six public library branches, located in Blaxland, Springwood, Lawson, Wentworth Falls, Katoomba and Blackheath. Residents can borrow books, DVDs and music, surf the internet, study, meet friends and new people, enjoy storytime with their kids, or even enjoy a game of chess or hear a local history talk. And now there is also a Home Library Service for isolated residents.

“There’s also an extensive collection of online resources, streaming and downloadable content, which is all free to Blue Mountains residents," Cr Greenhill continued.

“And the results released just recently show that the Blue Mountains Library has never been more popular, or more relevant.”

Over the past year library visitation in the Blue Mountains has increased by 36 per cent with almost 4,000 new members welcomed.

Blue Mountains Library Manager, Vicki Edmunds said: “Whether you're a member, a regular visitor, or you've never been to one of our branches, we want you to celebrate our special golden anniversary with us. Visit our amazing spaces, wonder at the incredible view, study in comfort, find a new favourite author, and making the most of our welcoming and knowledgeable staff.”

Library of the Future competition

We’re inviting local kids and teens to use their imagination and create a vision for what libraries will be in the future. Entrants can choose to make their creation at home or come into any Blue Mountains Library branch between 23 October – 15 November to work on their entry.

There are three categories – 0-7 years, 8-12 years and 13-18 years. Each category will have one winner, who will receive a prize pack including a $100 book voucher. We will display all the entries in our branches with the three winning entries included in the Library Time Capsule.

Time Capsule

In the lead up to our 50^th anniversary celebration, we’re collecting items to put into a time capsule. The time capsule will be stored in the Local Studies vault, to be reopened in another 50 years. The winning ‘Library of the Future’ entry will be put into the time capsule, so librarians of the future can see how we envisaged the future. The time capsule will be sealed in the weeks following the anniversary celebration.

Find out more about what Blue Mountains Library offers, and the anniversary activities: here