IT’S Taree’s best kept secret.
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Located up the stairs on the corner of Victoria Street and Manning Street is the Taree Literary Institute – our town’s oldest and first library.
Taree Literary Institute librarian of 15 years Kylie Attard said, “we are often stumbled across by backpackers more than locals”.
But this is something Kylie and Taree Library Institute’s secretary Suzanne Booth would like to change. Membership to the library is free, with members able to borrow from over 20,000 items.
“We have such a large range, from the latest to books to others that are fairly old. We have books that are up to 20 years old – some are now even out of publication,” Kylie said.
The library has three large rooms which store its collection of fiction, non fiction, local history and genealogy books, DVDs, magazines and more. There is reading space for adults and children, with the children’s area including a tee-pee. There is also free wi-fi and photocopying services available.
Another key feature the library has is home support, where books can be bought to the elderly or those who are housebound. Deliveries take place fortnightly on Tuesday or Friday.
Suzanne said the staff at the library are friendly and helpful when it comes to inquiries.
Kylie would like to see more adults and children use the institute. She said reading is beneficial for not only learning, but imagination and escapism.
As the institute’s tagline says “books are silent friends”.
Annual General Meeting news
The 2016 annual general meeting of the Taree Literary Institute marked the 152nd year of the institute’s operation. Brian Crisp, president of the institute, presented his annual report and once again the institute has had a successful year.
It has donated $3300 to the Taree and District Eisteddfod (making it a major sponsor), Taree Artists Inc. $250 and $450 to various schools.
Entrants in the institute’s writing competition, held in conjunction with the Manning Winter Festival, were few in number but the writing was very pleasing. Jamie-Lee Woolfe from Tinonee Public School was the winner.
Long time committee member, Adrian Newbery retired after 30 years of attendance and service. The book and DVD lending library is going well. Seventy-nine new members were gained this year bringing membership to 2011, of which about a third are active borrowers.
Mr Crisp thanked Kylie Attard, the librarian, for all her work as well as her assistant Robyn Lacey and volunteer worker Lindy Booth. These people help make the library a very welcoming and pleasant place to visit.
Office bearers for 2016 and 2017 are: president Brian Crisp, vice president Bob Crossman, secretary Suzanne Booth, treasurer and librarian Kylie Attard. Committee members are Sandra Saad, Helen Mitchell, Janeece Richards, Keith Gibbs, Garry Masters, Dave Rush and Peter Smith.
Any queries, contact Suzanne Booth on 6552 4893 or Kylie Attard 6552 4361.