The current Gosford Library will close its doors at noon on Saturday, August 16, as the transition into the new Gosford Regional Library, set to open on September 5, gets underway.
Central Coast Council says the closure marks the beginning of a new era in local library services – delivering an innovative, inclusive and accessible space where members of the community can connect, create and collaborate in the heart of Gosford.
During the transition period the returns chute will remain open; borrowing periods will be extended by one month until the new library opens; and items can also be returned or collected at any of the region’s libraries, including those close by at Erina, Kariong and Tuggerah.
For help with bookings, reservations or general queries, contact library staff via library@centralcoast.nsw.gov.au or call 4304 7500.
For assistance after the current Gosford branch closes, call 4306 7900.
Council’s beloved book mascot Parker is busily preparing the shelves in the new library as the fate of the old library remains under a cloud.
Council plans to demolish the mid-20th century building to make way for a concrete amphitheatre have been met with huge community protest.
Twenty-five diverse community groups have now signed up to the Central Coast Community Better Planning Group’s campaign to save the building.
Many say that demolition of the building would deprive the region of a significant part of its history, with the family of the architect, Alan Williams, adding their voices to the campaign to save it.
Historian Merril Jackson has said the Government Architect of NSW (GANSW) gave a directive to repurpose the library within the Gosford Urban Design Framework (UDF), supporting the ongoing CBD revitalisation, population growth, future needs of greenspace, open space and quality standalone community infrastructure for Kibble Park.
Suggestions for repurposing the building have included: handing it over to Regional Youth Support Services for its programs; using it to house the Fossil Fish Collection languishing in storage at the Australian Museum; use as a community centre available to multiple groups; and repurposing it as a heritage centre.
Council is considering feedback from a public survey on the issue, submissions for which closed in June.
Hopefully not closing its doors for the last time. The building needs to be repurposed.
please hand it over to RYSS they are an absolute gem for the youth in the area 🙏🏾
Where is Gosford City Council going to get the money to fund this new building. You raise the rates before because you are broke. No one even held accountable to that .
This building is a treasure that belongs to us all. It MUST be saved.
How about shifting the senior citizens there. Parking is diabolical up the hill where it is currently.