The contract is signed and work has already begun to move Armidale’s library to its new location in Rusden St.
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Library staff will lead the new building fitout and if things go well, the library could be open before the end of the year.
“If we’re not in by Christmas, I hope we’re almost in,” Armidale Regional Council interim general manager Greg Meyers said.
Council will first need to lodge a development application to change the building’s classification from office space to a library.
Mr Meyers said he expected to submit the DA by the end of next week.
Council staff are currently working on design plans and local tradesmen will carryout out much of the work.
“For expediency, we will be bringing in specialist and outsourcing where we need,” Mr Meyers said.
“But for the carpet and painting … we will be going to local tradies.”
State Library of NSW staff have already assessed the building and are due back in Armidale next Friday to help with the transition.
They will assist Armidale’s library staff to stocktake and catalogue the books before they are moved.
“There will be a lot of people doing things, not just one person doing everything,” Mr Meyers said.
Council administrator Ian Tiley said the new library would offer a range of new services to the community.
“The new library will do much more,” he said.
“There will be audio support and teleconference capabilities, there will be Skype capability.”
Council currently has no plans to expand on the 21 community parking spaces and 7 spaces for staff.
But there is almost 4000 square meters of Council-owned land to the south of the block should they need more room.
“I’d be surprised if we need more than 21 parking spaces,” Dr Tiley said.
A number of organisations have already approached Council about moving into the old library space and Council intends to call for expressions of interest on this matter.
“One option is to least the entire building which will offset the loan repayments on 1/182 Rusden Street,” Dr Tiley said.
Council will also seek contributions from the RSL and the NSW state library to further offset the costs.
“This was a golden opportunity to acquire an asses when we have historically low interest rates,” Dr Tiley said.
”We can borrow and own a facility in ten years time.
“This decision gives us a new state-of-the-art library, double the space of the present library, in a matter of a few months.
“After 15 years of discussion and much controversy, today a library was delivered.”
