Port Macquarie Library will be transformed with a $195,915 injection, creating a virtual reality room, study rooms and an outdoor reading area.
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Work is expected to start later this month.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council group manager Lucilla Marshall said council is committed to providing an innovative library service.
"This service will continually respond to the changing needs of our growing community," Ms Marshall said.
"The new virtual reality facilities and study room upgrades will further improve the users experience at the Port Macquarie library, and compliment other projects that have been developed over the past five years, and includes the Imaginarium and the Tech Room.
"Council will continue to deliver the best possible library service that responds to the changing faces of library, current trends and that provides access to new technology for residents right across the region.”
The project involves enclosing two areas currently home to gardens. The spaces will still be surrounded by glass.
An area fronting Grant Street will be transformed into a space with eight study nooks.
Council will continue to deliver the best possible library service.
- Lucilla Marshall
A new theatrette-style room at the Gordon Street frontage will house virtual reality technology and other new technology.
The works are designed to provide additional space for library users, to maintain community access and availability to new and emerging technologies.
The library is acknowledged as being an early adopter of new technology.
More than 1000 people visit the library each day.
The library's resources have expanded to include WiFi, eBooks and downloadable resources, a tech room with equipment such as digital printers, and an Imaginarium with a range of recording equipment and software.
Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams last year announced the funding under the 2016/17 Public Libraries Infrastructure Grants program.
She said the money would allow the library to expand its physical space within the library’s footprint and at the same time allowed for additional services for library members.
Mrs Williams said our libraries were probably one of the most used and most visited public assets.
