Randwick City Council has marked the first day of summer with the opening of Sydney’s first free Beach Library on Coogee Beach.
Located on the lower beach promenade right next to the sand, the six-metre wide, freestanding timber bookshelf constructed by Council’s carpenters will stock hundreds of fiction and non-fiction books and magazines in various languages and genres.
“I am excited to be opening our unofficial fourth library in Randwick City, and a unique one at that,” said Randwick Mayor Ted Seng.
“European countries have trialled similar initiatives before, but we’re not aware of any beach libraries of this scale and capacity in Australia.
“Our existing three library branches collectively deliver more than 1,500 programs, services, classes and events each year to almost 40,000 participants.
“Modern libraries are thriving educational and social centres and the Beach Library will bring our resources to even more members of our community to enjoy and learn from.
“Imagine if the Coogee Beach Library is able to encourage even just one child to pick up a book and discover the joy of reading, then this project will be well worth it.”
The Coogee Beach Library will be open during Lifeguard patrol until the end of February 2015.
