Canberrans are invited to help shape the new Molonglo Valley Library through a community codesign process starting today.
"The Molonglo Valley Library will be an important community resource for the fastest‑growing and one of the most culturally diverse parts of Canberra," said Minister for City Services Tara Cheyne.
"The new library and community hub will be located in the heart of the future Molonglo Valley Group Centre. It will be an important resource for not only Molonglo Valley residents but the wider Canberra community.
"The future facility will offer access to a wealth of library resources and welcoming, safe and inclusive community spaces to meet the needs of a population of up to 87,000 by 2060."
The community has already identified accessibility, collaboration, lifelong learning and integrated services as key priorities for the new library, as well as ongoing engagement opportunities to codesign future services.
"By involving the Canberra community from the very beginning of the design process, we will ensure the future Molonglo Valley Library and community hub best meet the diverse needs of our growing community," Minister Cheyne said.
The community can provide feedback in a variety of ways, from sharing photos, videos and ideas of their ideal future library online, to attending a community pop-up or checking out the interactive display board in their local library.
Primary School aged children can also participate in the engagement by submitting their creative ideas for the future Molonglo Valley Library via the online kids' corner (LINK).
"I encourage everyone in our community to take advantage of this opportunity to help shape the look and feel of an important future community facility from the outset of the design process. Regardless of whether you are a library member or not or Molonglo Valley resident or not – we would love to hear from you. If you are not a member, we would love to hear from you about what might make you consider joining and using the future facilities," Minister Cheyne said.
Feedback from the community will inform the design brief for the future Molonglo Valley Library, which will be used to develop three concept designs for the new library. The community will have an opportunity to provide feedback on their preferred concept design later this year.
"Once finalised, the design brief and concept plan will inform the design and construction of the future Molonglo Valley Library and community hub."
