Bega Valley Shire Council will celebrate 80 years of public library services on Wednesday 8 October at the Bega Library.
Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said the Bega library service began in October 1945, weaving itself into the fabric of local life, sharing stories, learning and community connection.
"It's great to be able to celebrate Bega Library's 80th birthday and understand it really is a true cornerstone of our community's history and spirit," he said.
"It was originally set up in the Town Hall complex and moved a number of times over the years before finding its home on the corner of Gibbs Street and Zingel Place.
"Over the decades our library has remained steadfast in its mission to serve everyone in our shire.
"The library has become a growing community hub for not only reading and writing literacy but also for supporting people to develop their information literacy and digital literacy.
"Whereas 80 years ago we could only borrow hard copy books, today we can also borrow DVDs, audiobooks, magazines, books for teens and graphic novels.
"Through our online library, we can borrow ebooks, emagazines, eaudiobooks and comics and access curated information from a range of academic databases.
"Times have certainly changed, but the spirit of accessibility and inclusion has continued to thrive and is even more important nowadays.
"We have people using our library space to work or study remotely, and nearly every day of the week there's a library program underway.
"We have Storytime for preschoolers to the chess club, the Here 2 Help adult literacy program, author talks and school holiday activities.
"Our libraries are more than shelves of books—they are living testament to our community's commitment to inclusiveness, lifelong learning and support."
The Bega Library's 80th birthday celebrations on Wednesday 8 October will include face painting from 10.15am to 1pm and magician, The Great Zamboni at 11am. The ceremony will begin at 12pm.
