The Cobar Shire Council has applied for a public libraries grant for approximately $90,000 to enclose the alcove at the Cobar Shire & TAFE Library.
If successful, the Public Library Infrastructure Grant will pay for works to enclose the alcove area next to the library to create a public meeting space and allow secure storage of local history documents.
Council is seeking the majority of funding from the NSW Government, and will contribute some in-kind input in the form of project management.
If the application is successful council will also commit $10,300 in matching grant funds to the project.
Cobar Shire Council & TAFE library services manager Jane Siermans said the main portion of the grant will be used to transform the “uninviting and underused area of the library arcade into a centrally-located, comfortable and welcoming room”.
“This multi-purpose room would provide a neutral and safe space for meetings, activities, videoconferencing, e-learning, workshops, online learning and training of small groups of children, adults, and older people,” she said.
Ms Siermans said the room could also be used as a confidential meeting space for business enterprise facilitation clients, an area for quiet study or be used for exam supervision of people undertaking external studies.
“The grant will also be used to develop secure and appropriate storage of the library’s unique and delicate local and family history collection.
“A lockable compactus will be purchased and library staff will assist researchers with accessing the historical collection.
“The historical collection will be stored in the main library area and accessible during normal library opening hours,” Ms Siermans said.
