By Tanya Steele
Yarra Junction Library recently celebrated a stellar 30 years with their community over cake, cookies and a cup of tea or two.
The community gathered together on Tuesday 25 July to celebrate the milestone of the library being built amidst some tasty treats and a chat over tea.
Rachael Falls, the library Children’s Services Offiver said the morning had a great turnout of around 40 community members
“It went really well, we had a lot of people and our storytime group was there as well,” she said.
“It was 30 years since the library was first built.”
The U3A provided a delicious cake enjoyed by all and a large tray of cookies was also brought along.
“Everyone enjoyed it, it was very well received,” Ms Falls said.
A board was on display with some clippings and memories from community members that have been accessing the library since it opened – presenting memories and moments from the branch’s history.
“In the lead up to it we had people write their memories and what they enjoy about the library because we do have quite a few people who have been coming since we opened,” Ms Falls said.
One library patron wrote the following:
“A place to make life long friends…with carefully, thought-provoking movies and MUCH MORE, Happy Birthday!”
The library was originally opened to the public to a crowd of over 200 and opened for business on 2 August 1993 – making it the ninth static branch library in the Eastern regional service to open at the time.
Ms Falls is one of the newest staff at the library and said she really loves the sense of community and connection that the Yarra Junction branch has.
“We notice that people that people really love the sense of connection here because of the tight knit community we are,” she said.
The library has evolved over its 30 years and Ms Falls said the services that the staff provide have a much wider range compared to when they began, partly due to the changes in technology.
“We do so much now, everything from story time to help with technology, the other day I assisted someone to print directions for a trip into the city,” she said.
“There’s such a wide range of enquiries from local history, it isn’t just about the books.”
The library will continue to deliver services to Yarra Junction and staff enjoy the way people know each by name.
“People have been coming for years and years and know they are always welcome here,” Ms Falls said.
