Mobile moves on as library opens

– Tania Martin
EMERALD’S mobile library said a fond farewell to the town last week after more than 10 years amid excitement over the opening of the long awaited town library.
Cardinia mobile library manager Heather Carroll said over the past 10 years the mobile library had more than 260,000 customers.
Ms Carroll said the mobile library, which visited Emerald twice a week, would see an average of 500-600 people per week.
She said people from Avonsleigh, Clematis, Macclesfield and Emerald all used the library frequently but that those residents will now be able to access a well resourced building in the new library.
Ms Carroll said the opening of the library was very exciting with more than 17,000 items available for the local community to borrow.
The $2.25 million Emerald Library will feature a main library area plus two meeting rooms and a toy library.
The new library will open to the public for the first time tomorrow (Wednesday) from 1pm to 8pm, and following that will operate Monday 1-6pm, Tuesday and Wednesday 1-8pm, Thursday and Friday 11am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 2.30pm.
Ms Carroll and her staff were surprised last week when the Friends of the Emerald Library presented them with a farewell gift in the shape of a cartoon caricature.
She said it was a very big surprise but they were thrilled to get such a unique gift from the local residents.
Ms Carroll said over the past couple of weeks the staff at the mobile library had received hundreds of warm thoughts and farewells, and that the staff would like to thank everyone for all their support.
“We have absolutely loved our time here in Emerald and welcome the new exciting beginning for the library,” she said.