The Diamond Valley Library, which has undergone an extensive $1.64 million upgrade, has now reopened.
The library, in Civic Drive Greensborough, has been completely refurbished creating a beautiful, modern space where the community can not only enjoy books and reading, but meet and connect, work or study, relax and play.
Nillumbik Mayor Peter Perkins said it was pleasing to finally reopen the library to the public following the easing of the Victorian Government COVID-19 restrictions.
"Our community loves its libraries and we know they have been greatly missed during the various lockdowns over the past 18 months," Cr Perkins said.
"We are really pleased to not only reopen, but share this incredible new space with users. Libraries have really evolved over the years and have become more than just a place to borrow books and this new modern branch really embraces this change."
The library upgrade features an expanded children's area with new parents room, fully accessible unisex toilets, a community meeting room that's tripled in size with storage for the Toy Library, meeting and tech pods for businesses, and a large outdoor deck that connects to the community garden.
The refurbished glass cathedral ceiling is a highlight of the revamp, creating a light, airy and inviting space for visiting to enjoy.
Blue Lake Ward Councillor Richard Stockman said libraries were vital to the health and wellbeing of the community.
"Now more than ever, it's important to have places and spaces where we can connect, work together and do something we enjoy," Cr Stockman said.
Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service CEO Jane Cowell said the service was thrilled to welcome users back to all library branches across the network this week, but especially the rejuvenated Diamond Valley branch.
"Library users of all ages will be able to work, learn, read or play in the new spaces," she said.
The upgrade has been funded by Council, the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service and the Victorian Government's Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.
