Sovereign Hills locals can now borrow a book in their backyard, whenever they like. In an Australian first, a new self-serve library kiosk has been unveiled in our community and our youngest readers have given it a big tick.
Port Macquarie Hastings Mayor Peta Pinson, the Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams and Lewis Land’s Head of Development Michael today celebrated the opening of the new kiosk, stocked with best-selling authors, encased in a sleek-looking timber shelter, opposite the Sovereign Place Town Centre.
“Inspired by the chapters of a book, this new kiosk will complement the existing mobile library van which has been regularly servicing the region for some time,” Mayor Pinson said.
“This facility will allow people now living, working or learning in the booming Thrumster and Sovereign Hills areas to conveniently nourish their literary minds without travelling to Port Macquarie, Laurieton or Wauchope to borrow a book.
“It also adds to the modern technologies already operating within these regional libraries, such as purpose-built recording studios and virtual reality features.
“I want to thank Council staff for their initiative in putting forward this concept, and the NSW Government and Lewis Land for their partnership in assisting with its funding and construction.”
The Sovereign Hills Kiosk will be available 24/7, and all that will be required to borrow a book is a library card, It will be stocked with a variety of reading material, new release novels and educational material.
Port Macquarie Hastings Council received a $128,500 grant to deliver the project, thanks to funding from the NSW Government’s Public Library Infrastructure Grant through the State Library of NSW.
“Libraries play an important role in our communities and are a wonderful learning space, so the funding by the previous Government only enhances our local library services,” Mrs Williams said.
“Our library staff are a valuable asset for our community and I congratulate them on their successful application for this funding.”
Developer of the Sovereign Hills master planned community, Lewis Land, partnered with Council - pitching in $550,000 to help construct the kiosk and associated facilities.
The area also includes a covered picnic table and bubbler, accessible pathways, and a medium-sized asphalt basketball court with lighting.
Lewis Land Head of Development Michael Long said the self-serve kiosk will make reading and learning even more accessible for the Thrumster community.
“The kiosk will complement Council’s fortnightly mobile library service which has proven popular with locals of all ages, including the pre-schoolers in our community’s Discovery Early Education and Care Centre who are present here today and look forward to borrowing even more books, any day of the week,” Mr Long said.
“We thank Port Macquarie Hastings Council and the NSW Government for their commitment to the project and we hope the community enjoys exercising their minds and bodies at the surrounding amenities.”
Demand for traditional book-borrowing remains high within the LGA, with more than 250,000 visitors coming through the doors of the Port Macquarie, Laurieton and Wauchope libraries each year. For this reason, Council will allocate approximately $10,000 a year to keep the kiosk replenished with quality reading material.
This kiosk will be maintained as a council asset, until such times as a new library is built within the growing Sovereign Hills community. It will remain as a rent-free space for five years, or until the new library is built.
