Dolly Parton giving hundreds of Cessnock kids a running start to reading

BY SHY-ANN ARKINSTALL

Cessnock City Library has celebrated reaching 600 families enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library since the beginning of 2022.

Of approximately 700 babies born in the Cessnock LGA in 2022, almost 90 percent of them have signed up to the program.

The Imagination Library program delivers one free book a month to children born in 2022 until they reach five years old.

This ends up being 60 books for each child over the five years, making a great start to their at-home library.

The program aims to help start a love of reading in young children and improve their literacy skills at home.

Parents can sign up at the Cessnock City Library or ask their Baby Health Nurse to help them enroll.

Cessnock Mayor Jay Suvaal and a Dolly Parton cardboard cutout.

Lambton Library cards to become after-hours access keys

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Lambton Library is set to reopen this weekend, following an extensive renovation.

The library has been closed for months for works to restore the heritage facade, while modernising the facilities behind the scenes.

Library members will also now be able to use their library cards as keys to access the library outside of staffed hours.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says it means facilities will be accessible seven days a week.

"Utilizing this new technology, it means it's also a community space," Cr Nelmes said.

"There are some resources in there, but predominantly, it will be able to be accessed by all of our library members and community for free, if they need to have meetings or gatherings.

"There's a lot of trust in that system, and there's also technology like CCTV cameras and the like."

Robert Watson is a member of the Lambton Residents Group.

He says the building has a rich history, but it's exciting to see it more into the future.

"Looking for meeting spaces, for things like garden club or a book club, and things like that, is significant around the Lambton area," Mr Watson said.

"Lambton's kind of a central part of Newcastle, if you like - sometimes I joke about the rotunda like the axle and all the other suburbs rotate around it."

The building was originally built to house the Lambton Council Chambers, until its closure with the creation of the Greater Newcastle Council in 1938.

In 1950, it was reopened as the Lambton Library.

Mr Watson says it's good to see the city's historic buildings, still being used as community assets.

"By any measure, that's an incredible success in having a library building and a meeting room available for that huge amount of time now," Mr Watson said.

"Most other things are closing down or winding back."

Image credit: City of Newcastle

Funding Cuts To Hit Local Libraries

BY ARIANA GATTI

Disappointment and worry is rolling into Hunter communities as funding cuts are set to hit local libraries, including those in Cessnock and Kurri Kurri.

The NSW Government has announced they will withdraw financial support to regional Hunter areas, slashing funds by up to 18%.

The cuts are expected to impact over 360 libraries across the State, making residents nervous about the future of the educational centres.

Cessnock City Mayor, Bob Pynsent, says funding cuts will deliver a major blow for every community.

"Our libraries are vibrant hubs and have a very special role in our community. They are not just a service that has great resources, but provide a space where people connect, learn and are entertained."

Bob Pynsent regards the local libraries as learning centres suitable for all ages and says he would be disappointed to see them fold if funds are not sourced elsewhere.

"I certainly hope the funding cuts doesn't have any effect on the young people who are involved in learning so much within our local libraries. There will probably be more money coming out of our local Cessnock budget to compensate for any financial losses," he says.

Image Sourced: http://www.rhcs.com.au/?p=694