Ararat Rural City Council continues its commitment to improving the municipality's infrastructure, with significant upgrade works now well underway at the Ararat Library.
Interior upgrade works commenced earlier this month to modernise the library's interior furniture and create an updated layout which best supports a flexible multi-use facility.
New flooring has now been installed, as well as new mobile shelving in the adult fiction and non-fiction areas, allowing the space to be easily adapted for a variety of library programs.
This $200,000 Council's Capital Works Program will also deliver soft furniture for reading and quiet study, improved library signage, and two new public computers to meet technological demands. Following community feedback received mid-last year on the use of the library space, these upgrades reflect the changing needs of our community.
The Ararat Library is temporarily closed whilst these upgrade works are carried out. Works are expected to take just over a month to complete with the Ararat Library expected to reopen its doors to the public on Monday 3 March 2025.
A temporary pop-up Library has been opened at Alexandra Oval Community Centre in Ararat and includes a selection from the library's existing collection, as well as a dedicated children's area, free Wi-Fi and public computer access, printing, ample seating with magazines and papers, and study spaces.
Opening hours at the pop-up Library will remain the same as the usual library opening hours. Access to the 24/7 returns chute will be temporarily unavailable during this time. Books can be returned to the pop-up library during opening hours only. Further updates on the project's progress will be shared via Council's official social media channels.
"We're really looking forward to welcoming the community back to rediscover the Ararat Library and experience the benefits of these new upgrades," says Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong.
"The library serves as an essential community facility for learning and connecting with others, and these improvements will create a more modern and functional space that better serves the needs of our residents."
