Opening of Joondalup Public Library

13/7/97

Arts Minister Peter Foss today opened the new Joondalup Public Library.

The new library, located within the Joondalup Civic Precinct, is the largest public library in Western Australia with a stock of more than 70,000 publications and other items.

Mr Foss said the opening of the library brought to fruition more than 20 years of planning since the need for a library in a Joondalup region was first identified.

"The opening of this library exemplifies the commitment of State and local governments to providing the people of Wanneroo and Joondalup with a quality library service," he said.

"The Joondalup Public Library will be an important regional service for Perth's northern suburbs, and will be the administrative centre for all of the libraries in the City of Wanneroo.

"This should bring about efficiencies which will improve service in all of Wanneroo's libraries."

The State Government has provided more than $1.5 million in the value of the stock which was provided through the Library and Information Service of Western Australia. The preparation and processing of that stock make a total contribution of more than $2 million.

"Libraries play an important role in our society catering for a broader cross section of the community than any other publicly funded institution," the Minister said.

"Public libraries are used by children learning to read, by students of all ages researching to further their education, by those wanting to find out about issues important to their community, business people wanting a competitive edge and by the elderly."

Customer service has been a priority in the planning for the Joondalup Library and it will be open seven days a week so people can use it at a time convenient to them.

Other new features include customers being able to check a book themselves so that queues do not develop at busy times.

"Public libraries play an important, but often an unacknowledged role, in supporting the education system," Mr Foss said.

"With Joondalup being such an important centre for education in the region, and a university city, the new library will enable people to access the Internet as well as providing the best research information possible."

Media contact: Chris Morris 9321 2222