Cobar is one of three towns in the Barwon electorate to receive a share in $279,265 library funding announced this week by Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries.
Mr Humphries was in town on Saturday to deliver the good news to Mayor Lilliane Brady and Cobar Shire & TAFE Librarian Jane Siermans.
Mr Humphries said the funding for the Cobar library and also the Coonamble Library and Warren Shire Library was awarded through the NSW Government’s Public Library Infrastructure Grants Program.
“I’m proud our community has been successful in obtaining further state government funding to ensure our library is an accessible and engaging resource,” he said.
Cobar Shire will receive $114,681 for a community meeting room and the secure storage of the local and family history collection.
“This refurbishment will be enjoyed by our growing community and benefit people of all ages,” Mr Humphries said.
“The NSW Government recognises libraries need to adapt and designed this program to assist local government to develop and improve buildings and information technology.
“With this in mind, I’m pleased to see $74,031 go to Coonamble Library’s Creating Spaces project and $90,553 to Warren Shire Library’s Reconnecting the Community.”
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant said the funding program is an opportunity for local government to improve library services that benefit communities.
“The NSW Government has a strong track record of delivering for public libraries and has invested more than $27.5 million in 2015/16 to meet the growing and varied needs of our communities,” Mr Grant said.
The Public Library Infrastructure Grant program will allocate $15 million over four years to enhance library services and facilities and is administered by the State Library on behalf of the NSW Government.
