30 years for mooroolbark library

It was great to be part of celebrations for the Mooroolbark Library, last week the library clicked over 30 years of service to the local community.

As well as being a Yarra Ranges Councillor, I’m the Deputy
Chair of the Eastern Regional Libraries Corp (ERL).
Here I am with ERL CEO, Jospeh Cullen,
celebrating 30 years of Mooroolbark Library.
It’s great to be part of such a well loved service.

The decision to build a library was made by the council of the day back in 1983, the budget was $313,500, fully funded by council and construction took seven months.

The library opened with 15,000 books, 70 magazine titles, newspapers, music and spoken word cassettes. It also included a junior and teen section and toys for children to play with, allowing parents/carers to more easily search the shelves.

The collection was catalogued using microfiche. How things have changed in 30 years.

Today the library receives over 87,000 visits per year and just under 166,000 items are loaned. In an emerging area for libraries, certainly not envisaged back in 1984, last year library users logged on to use 9,632 hours of free internet, whilst there were 3,356 connections to the free wifi service as well.

Services have gone well beyond supplying toys to children, last year the Mooroolbark Library held delivered storytime to 3,648 children (and 2,265 adults).  

As part of Mooroolbark Library’s 30^th, visitors watched local chef Steve Wilson from Bulong Estate create some chef magic with birthday cakes and canapés and all enjoyed the fruits of his labour as part of the celebration.

Libraries are so much more than repositories for books, it’s great to see them maintaining their place as well loved community spaces for people to connect and continue life long learning.

samantha in the press - planning

Thumbs-down for Mooroolbark double-storey
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Melissa Cunningham
20 September 2011

samantha in the press - planning

Mooroolbark planning: shire backs fight to stop units
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Melissa Cunningham
19 July 2011

a new age for libraries

Yarra Ranges is currently reviewing it's library services and we'd like to know what you think. We want to know what you like about your library and what you'd like to see improved.
You can let us know a couple of ways, you can complete an online survey here or come along to one of our focus groups.

Focus groups will be held:

Monday 18 July - 11:15am to 12:15pm Mooroolbark Library
Monday 18 July - 2:00pm to 3:00pm Mt Evelyn Library
Tuesday 26 July - 3:00pm to 4:00pm Upper Yarra Family Centre, Yarra Junction
Wednesday 27 July - 11:00am to 12:00pm Healesville Library
Wednesday 27 July - 2:00pm to 3:00pm Lilydale Library
Thursday 28 July - 10:00am to 11:00am Belgrave Library
Thursday 28 July - 3:00pm to 4:00pm Montrose Library

To book a focus group near you click here or phone Jackie Elward on 1300 368 333, bookings are essential as places are limited.

renewable energy forum coming to mooroolbark

The Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association is holding a Renewable Energy Forum in Mooroolbark.

The forum will include information on:
Shire of Yarra Ranges Solar Hot Water discount
Shire of Yarra Ranges Community Solar Farm
The Beyond Zero Emissions Stationary Energy Plan, 100% renewable energy by 2020.

Where: Mooroolbark Community Centre, Brice Avenue (Mel ref: 37 H12)
When: 7:30pm, Wednesday 17th November.

samantha in the press – township planning

Vibrant view ahead for Mooroolbark
Leader Newspapers
by Emily Webb
20 Sep 2010

mooroolbark library turns 25

Last week saw Mooroolbark Library turn 25. The community turned out in droves to celebrate, it was obvious that the library is a well loved and supported community space.

Part of the celebration included the unveiling of a quilt made by a local quilting group. Cheryl Young (convenor of the quilt) was inspired to make a quilt for Mooroolbark after a trip to Castlemaine library. She asked 5 of her friends if they’d contribute and Carmel Basile, Lorraine Walker, Lyla Welsh, Helen Loosley and Liz Vincent all agreed to take on the venture.

Sadly Helen passed away before completing her section of the quilt, so the ladies completed her work for her. Her husband Peter assisted me with the official unveiling of the quilt which was a fitting tribute to Helen and a wonderful gift for the library.

The making of the quilt was also supported by the Mooroolbark Community Bank Bendigo Bank, Sandlyn House Edge to Edge Quilting Services.

After a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, Peter and I cut the cake, which proved to be popular with young and old.