Popular Library programs resume at the redeveloped Ballarat Library

The redeveloped Ballarat Library is open and attracting hundreds of people to its weekly programs.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson officially opened the redeveloped library on Tuesday with a tour of the facility.

The $7.48 million redevelopment and upgrade of the Ballarat Library was funded with $6.98 million from the City of Ballarat and a $500,000 State Government contribution from the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.    

The redevelopment of the Ballarat Library included an expansion of the second level of the building, and major internal and external works, such as:  

• A new main entrance with improved accessibility, landscaping and interaction with the Gov Hub, Civic Hall and CBD precincts.
• Reimagined internal spaces with improved flexibility, upgraded floor finishes, fittings and fixtures. Highlights include the light filled Rotunda on the ground floor, offering views to the Civic Hall Plaza and curved work benches providing space for 45 people to work, study and read.
• Boosted WiFi and power, with increased seating to accommodate 450 people.
• Additional public meeting rooms, with upgraded AV and conferencing technologies.
• An expanded children’s space, comprising a children’s ‘discovery’ space and mini computer lab.
• A baby feeding/change lounge and parenting facility, located adjacent to the children’s section.
• The Co-Lab, or youth space, complete with a community demonstration kitchen.
• A designated performance/event space with streaming technologies.
• Landscaping adjacent to the library, creating informal seating areas and safer pedestrian access.
• Kitchenettes
• Refurbished public amenities, including Changing Places facility
• The Maker Space, which is dedicated to learning through experimentation and play. It offers access to popular creative technologies such as 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing and crafting equipment. 

Since re-opening in recent months, the Ballarat Library has relaunched its full suite of children’s programming, including daily story times, which regularly attract close to 100 people.  

Library staff are also launching new programs for adults, including two ‘Book Chats’ and an album club.  

Library staff in the Maker Space — a new addition to the library featuring 3D printers, vinyl cutter and heat press, sewing machines and digitisation equipment — are offering inductions to the space* and drop-in hours for members to use the equipment. Programs in the Maker Space will expand in the coming months. 

Library staff will also be launching regular youth programming in term three, with a weekly rotating roster of programs, including Dungeons and Dragons, craft and popular culture clubs.  

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Des Hudson said the redeveloped Ballarat Library is so much more than books available for loan and a quiet place to read or study. 

“With a suite of new facilities that go well beyond the historical service offerings of libraries, the newly redeveloped Ballarat Library offers a glimpse of the future of libraries in Australia that function as important community hubs,” Cr Hudson said.  

“These spaces are designed to be places for the community to come together, learn new things and support each other in creative ways — it’s great to see so many community members participating in the Library’s programs.”  

Member for Wendouree Julianna Addison said the Ballarat Library is a much-loved community facility for people of all ages.  

“There are so many reasons to enjoy the library, including borrowing books, social connection, gaining access to the digital world and story time for little ones. I encourage everyone to pop in and see all that it has to offer,” she said.  

“This transformative project will provide much needed modern amenities and expanded resources for the community. The reimagined spaces will inspire creativity, empower learning and provide a contemporary facility for all to enjoy.”

For more information about the redeveloped Ballarat Library, visit the library page on the City of Ballarat website. For more information about the Library’s programs, visit the What’s On section of the Central Highlighlands Library website. 

*Community members must complete the induction before they can use the Maker Space facilities.