Southside bookworms, students, recording artists and entrepreneurs have a new place to call home with the completion of upgrades at Woden Library.
Announcing the completion of works, Minister for City Services, Chris Steel said the high-tech upgrades at Woden Library set the standard for the future of libraries and community facilities across Canberra.
“Through co-design with the community, we heard that Canberrans want local libraries that offer much more than books,” Mr Steel said.
“Libraries can be community spaces for people to create and collaborate – including through access to technology, shared spaces and digital resources,” he said.
“The upgraded Woden Library shows what is possible across Canberra’s library network.”
Mr Steel said upgrades to the second level of the Woden Library, previously home to the ACT Heritage Library – now relocated to Fyshwick, included four new spaces, the Hive; the Gathering Space; Life Lab; and the Haven.
The Minister said the Hive was a hub for digital exploration with a recording studio, recording equipment, podcasting materials and green-screen technology tools, while the Gathering Space was designed for collaboration and would be available as a meeting space for community groups.
He said Life Lab was a flexible space for learning activities, speakers and dance, and the Haven provided space for quiet relaxation, study and reading.
Mr Steel said the ground floor had also been upgraded with two new community meeting room spaces and a community kitchen.
“Local entrepreneurs will also benefit from the upgrades, with the library providing new spaces to meet, learn and develop business opportunities – with supporting technology.”
He said a special public event would be held in early 2022 to showcase the upgraded Woden Library and encourage the community to explore and book the new spaces.
