by Gabriella Vukman
This February 14, Boronia library is hosting its annual ‘Library Lovers’ event for those in need of some company, whether it is sourced from books or social interaction.
Team Leader at the Boronia library Jess Brown said, “Library lovers day is a day where people can celebrate what they love about the library.”
“For us at the Boronia library, we usually do a display, a bit like ‘fall in love with a book’, it’s not a romantic day between people it’s more between a person and a book.”
“So we’ve got our books that we think people would like to cheer them up and make them feel happy.”
Running all day, everyone is welcome to rock up at any time from 9 -when the library opens, to 5:30pm when the library closes.
Jess said, “I think what the community is getting out of it is the social connection.”
“We get some people who are massive readers who turn up but we also get a lot of people craving social interaction at these events.”
“With the various needs we meet as a library from study to all kinds of support, I think libraries have definitely gone beyond the book,” Jess said.
There will be a display service set up and open at the library for the day.
“Usually we’ll find that groups of people just come in or individuals come in and a lot will come into the chat but we also like to chat with them as well,” Jess said.
“It becomes more than just a place to borrow a book or to even come to an event -it becomes quite a social workplace.”
“When people do really highlight what they like about the library it does make you feel really good,” Jess said.
Jess’ favourite thing about the library is its affordability, diversity and “when elderly people come and volunteer.”
Jess said, “we’ve got people in their eighties who will come in and do some art with us off their own bat.”
“I love how the library is open to everyone and it is interesting and wonderful that everyone feels comfortable here,” Jess said.
