Boost for toy library

SPACE for toys is no longer a problem at Emerald’s new library.
Toy library officials said fears about insufficient space at the $2.25 million facility had been allayed.
In May last year, residents protested against the amount of room allocated for the toy library.
Residents said the Puffing Billy Toy Library, located at Emerald Hall, had only been allocated half of its current space in the new building.
But further discussions between Cardinia Shire Council and toy library officials has led to an agreement that the space allocated will include a room connected to the existing toy library area in the town hall.
Toy library coordinator Debra Woods said the committee recently had a sneak preview of the library and was excited about moving in when it was finished.
Ms Woods said she hoped to attract more members to the toy library with the opening of the whole library complex as a lot more people will know where it is.
“We are looking forward to the opening and expect to see a lot of new member,” she said.
Council’s manager of major projects and buildings Steve Fernee said that the new library will feature a main library area, two meeting rooms and a toy library.
Mr Fernee said extra acoustic sound proofing had been added to the centre of the main library area to reduce the noise level because of the community radio station that is situated above the library.
He said the two meeting rooms would be available for hire for local community groups and organisations.
Mr Fernee said the finishing touches to the building of the library should be made by early May. The building would then be painted and furnished and the car park would be built.
He said a car park with up to 15 spaces would surround the library and that the old netball courts behind the library would also be turned into parking.