The June guest speaker was Katherine Day who is the Digital Assistant Officer at the Northern Beaches Council. She spoke about the evolution /development of the Forestville Library from its inception in circa 1963 to the present day. – a very interesting history.
Once Forestville / Killarney Heights. ( formerly known as Forestville South) opened up in 1963 with the involvement of L.J Hooker and Pettit & Pettit (Builders), there was a perceived need for a library (initially run by the by volunteers and a sub branch of the DY library). In the Forestville area initially they were housed in a building which they shared with the Baby Health Centre. Since then and several developments later, they are housed in today’s building behind Coles which they share with the Forestville Community Arts Centre, F.C.A.C.
They have gone from strength to strength in recent years and, since March 2023 they have offered a 24/7 service, (subject to certain procedures) to library members and the general public. In fact, the 24/7 service has been so successful it is being trialled in Manly library. Among the services offered, are Justice of the Peace, computers, printing and scanning/. Technology support/ Home library service/ Digitisation of Council archives and local history and events/ bookable meeting rooms/ local studies and genealogy/ Heritage talks/ Toy Library/ DVD’s/ biographies and memoirs. The staff at the library are also assisted by volunteers.
For the record. NB Council runs 6 libraries with four sub libraries (run mainly by volunteers). They still have books, however they do not offer coffee and chocolate biscuits!
Gerard de Jong
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THE CLUB FOR ACTIVE RETIREES. You are welcome to browse but registration is for Killarney Heights Probus members only