Ready to go: Library officer Georgia Mollington in the Boyanup Library s Early Learning Centre.
LAST week's highlight of the day in Boyanup last week was certainly a surprise to many people.
The scheduled unofficial reopening of the Boyanup Library was timed to coincide with the leaving morning tea party for shire librarian Karen Dennison, who was due to take maternity leave, and the introduction of her replacement.
With Mrs Dennison taken to hospital the previous evening, the event focus changed slightly as Capel Shire representatives moved to the opening of the Early Learning Centre room.
And there was no shortage of activity and young visitors to the newly opened room throughout the day, with parents bringing children to explore the facility.
Equipped with DVDs, audio CDs, books for early readers through to junior fiction, the room also contains bean bags and small chairs for story time.
Library staff are delighted with the changes to the layout that has not only given the whole area a lift, but also has given them an exclusive room for young people.
Newly appointed shire librarian Susie Dalgleish said she the renovations and system updating were a bonus on top of her new position.
"There is a feeling of spaciousness about the place and with today's excitement centred on the Early Learning Centre facility, it has been a great start to my new job," she said.
"And by dividing the books into genre order, the staff and volunteers have made book selecting so easy for readers."
Ms Dalgleish previously worked at the Busselton Public Library and said plans to continue with her predecessor's vision for the Boyanup, Dalyellup and Capel Libraries.
She sees Boyanup as part of a community hub and envisions it as a place where people can come to not only to borrow books, but also gather to socialise, browse newspaper and conduct family history research.
"With the opening of the Early Learning Centre, we can develop networks with other parents and children's groups located within the community centre, she said.
"And who knows, the future may even bring a one-stop hotspot for people to conduct their internet banking, email, social networking, and any other online business that may be necessary in their daily lives."
The official opening of the library will take place in later this month, following the completion of the renovations and updating.
