BIBLIOPHILES of all ages joined staff at Dandenong’s Stuart Street library on Saturday afternoon to celebrate 40 years since the library was opened in February 1972.
The anniversary celebration was also a chance for people to say farewell to the old library, which will close its doors for the final time on Sunday.
The library is being relocated to the new municipal building on Lonsdale Street.
Library services manager Mary Rydberg said staff felt it important that the milestone was marked with a community celebration.
“The libary is closing but it’s also 40 years old, so we separated out the 40th birthday celebration from the closing because the library will continue into its 41st year but somewhere else,” she explained.
Saturday’s festivities included children’s storytime, board games, Afghan tea and birthday cake.
The Stuart Street library has been much-loved over the past four decades, however its early 1970s design was no longer adequate in an age when libraries have had to reinvent themselves and adapt to the digital world.
To mark the closing of the Stuart Street site, patrons are being encouraged to record their memories of the library on special postcards. Contributions will be collated into a book and distributed at the official opening of the municipal building in April.
One contribution reads: “Thankyou for all the years of being here. Enjoy your new ’home’ as much as the readers will.”
The return chutes at Stuart Street will remain open until 16 March.
During the two-week shutdown before the new library opens on 17 March, the council will operate a shuttle bus to the Springvale branch library.
The shuttle bus will operate 10am-6.30pm weekdays and 9.30am to 12 pm Saturdays. The shuttle bus timetable can be downloaded from the City of Greater Dandenong website.
