Library's bright future

Refurbishment of Mosman’s Barry O’Keefe Library is complete, with the beloved community hub now offering a beautiful indoor garden reading room, among other essential and aesthetic improvements.

The Library has also been fully recarpeted throughout, received patchwork painting and repairs where needed and undergone vital roof replacement works.

Library Services Manager Linda Horswell said services and physical library access had been maintained throughout the upgrade, which commenced after high school examinations were complete.

“This required a lot of hard work from our library team and patience from our customers and neighbours as there was a bit of noise and things needed to be moved around,” Linda said.

“It was well organised and well worth the time and effort though and I invite residents who haven’t been to the library in a while to please come and enjoy our revitalised community space!”

Linda also thanked the Library Council of New South Wales, who provided $185,000 funding towards the space through its Library Infrastructure Grants Program.

Inviting visitors to enjoy natural light against a living green wall backdrop, the new reading space replaced a small, unusable and inaccessible courtyard in the library’s lower level. The space is now fully constructed and open for use, with some beautiful reading furniture to follow soon.

The tranquil zone and library improvements formed part of the Civic Centre Upgrade, a larger-scale project to undertake critical repairs and much-anticipated facility improvements to civic facilities including the Civic Centre, Seniors Hall and Youth Development Centre.

Mosman Library Service provides lending and information services and an extensive range of resources, activities and events for all ages. The Library offers exciting programs for children and teens, a regular visiting authors program and a unique collection of material on Mosman’s history and heritage.