By Tanya Steele
The outer east community has shown up in droves to visit the new library that has opened in Westfield Knox.
The much anticipated Knox Library has opened to the public on Friday 8 March with over 1000 people through the doors by lunchtime.
Opening at 9am, the new $5.4M library at Westfield Knox is twice the size of the old library, occupying about 2,000 square metres within the old Myer store on Level 3.
Library Branch Manager Alan Sewell said he was excited about the opening and it feels more real now that the public are actually in the space.
“It hasn’t sunk in it,” he said.
“It’s only when you see the public coming through the doors that you can go – yes it’s a library.”
Staff and public alike were all smiles as they investigated the new premises on the day, with one member of the public already taking a quick power nap in one of the study booths.
The new space has a modern design, with the word ‘Ngarrgoo’ which means ‘knowledge’ in Woi-Wurrung printed on the front door panels.
Indigenous artwork in the library’s design is by Kamara Morgan, a proud Yorta-Yorta, Gunai-Kurnai, Dja Dja Wurrung, Boonwurrung, Taungurung, and Baraparapa Aboriginal artist.
The artwork reflects Knox Library’s link to Country and celebrates the library as a meeting place and the artwork is on display further into the space.
Knox Mayor, Councillor Jude Dwight said having the library inside the shopping centre made it even more accessible for the community.
“As well as an impressive collection of books, DVDs and other items to borrow, and many purpose-built areas for community use, the library has a dedicated space for young people called The Youth Hive, a space for children, a garden room, computer area, lounges, study booths and meeting rooms,” she said.
“Knox Library is already one of our busiest branches and we expect the new library will attract even more community members.”
The Knox library was previously in a temporary space, still at Westfield but not attached and was situated near the Ozone area.
The library also shares its space with the Youth services and Youth Hive for Knox and the staff hope this will help encourage teens into the library
“We’re really keen on working together to attract and engage with young people. They can use the space how they want to,” Mr Sewell said.
Eastern Library corporate manager of customer experience Sarah Hopkins said the new premises were designed to be a “bit of an adventure”.
“People come with different needs and requirements and we wanted to be able to accommodate that without people being on top of each other,” she said.
The library has several different zones and spaces for different needs, from a meeting area to a secret garden space.
“It’s a large space and we have many different rooms that are versatile for the public to use,” Mr Sewell said.
“We have lots of meeting spaces for people to do conferencing, quiet spaces for people with sensory needs and we have a studio space.”
Mr Sewell said he is most excited by some of the larger spaces, which will allow for larger events to be run within the building.
“We have bigger programming rooms for bigger author talks and bigger presentations,” he said.
Ms Hopkins said the new library will be part of the shopping centre and the community.
“People are already here, buying groceries – It’s all just part of your everyday life,” she said.
