Relocation underway ahead of new Riverway Library opening

The new Riverway Library is tracking on schedule to open early next year, with Council starting the relocation of the long-running Thuringowa Library next month.

Following extensive consultation with community on the sorts of activity, services and functions they wanted to see in their local Library, Townsville City Council has designed and is constructing a new fit-for-purpose community designed space at Riverway.

Mayor Jenny Hill said transitioning the library service into the new Riverway Library space was the perfect opportunity to rethink the location of the library as part of Council’s broader property management strategy.

“Transitioning the library service into the new CityLibraries Riverway space will provide a long-term home for the service as well as delivering a financially sustainable outcome for the decades ahead,” Cr Hill said.

“Council conducted significant community consultation to ensure the new library meets the needs of locals and active library users. This consultation included surveys and focus groups and identified the need for custom meeting spaces, recording studios and a move towards a digital library experience.

“The existing CityLibraries Thuringowa service is currently in a leased premises, and the lease will expire in December this year. The relocation plan for CityLibraries Thuringowa includes the service closing on Sunday 27 November to permit the orderly handback of the lease to the owner in order for the new lessee to move in.

“Transitioning the library service into the new CityLibraries Riverway space will provide a long-term home for the service as well as delivering a financially sustainable outcome for the decades ahead.

“While the Thuringowa Dr location has been in place for many years, I am certain the new Riverway Library will deliver what the community has told us it wants, both now and well into the future.”

As part of the move more than 28,000 books, about 2,500 DVDs and CDs and nearly 2,000 special collection items will be removed from Thuringowa Dr in preparation for the new Riverway Library opening. In the meantime, members of the public will be able to check out their favourite items from the Mobile Library which will be established at the Riverway Precinct every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said other Library services across the city would be extending their operations over the coming months.

“CityLibraries will be available to Thuringowa Central users at the Mobile Library every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Mobile Library has a selection of items, including books, DVDs and CDs, and will be set up at Riverway for easy access,” Cr Greaney said.

“Our CityLibraries Aitkenvale branch will also be extending its operating hours to be more accessible for the community as we transition the Thuringowa service to Riverway.

“All our libraries are connected, so you can return any loans to any of the library branches. Reservations will be available to be collected from Aitkenvale Library or Flinders Street Library.

“All First Five Forever activities can be found on our What’s On website. Activities Include: Baby Rhyme Time, Toddler Time, Baby Rhyme Time, Storytime. First Five Forever Kits are available at Aitkenvale Library and the Flinders Street Library.”

For more information, visit our CityLibraries Thuringowa Relocation page.