FOR book lover Madeline Henshaw, having to travel an 80-kilometre round trip to the nearest public library just wasn’t acceptable.
So the determined Guilderton resident decided to set up her own.
Thanks to her efforts, and those of dedicated volunteers, the community-run library is now in its 12th year and continues to go from strength to strength.
The Guilderton Community Library has 101 members and 5689 items available to borrow. Authors such as Liz Byrski, Colin Falconer and Faye Bohling have given talks, there have been children’s activities and the library was recently the venue for a successful writer’s workshop.
“There are a lot of semi-retired people here, and travelling 40km to Joondalup or Gingin libraries was just too hard,” Madeline said.
“The shire allowed us to set up our library in an old abandoned first aid post. We had a big clean-up and set up book shelves, some donated by the shire and some made by my husband, Graeme.”
The former secretary said up to 80 per cent of the books available for loan have been donated.
“We run a Trash ‘n’ Treasure event each year to raise funds to keep things going and also sell older books at the library for $1. There is a $5 annual membership fee.”
The library quickly outgrew its original building, and the premises had to be expanded in 2009 and again in 2013, all with the support of volunteers and donated materials.
A grant from Bendigo Bank and donations from businesses also helped.
The library system was computerised a few years ago, with many hours spent manually incorporating information into the program.
“The library has become a meeting hub, where people not only share a love of reading but also make friends,” Madeline said.
“It is great for people who are on their own to come in and have a chat. It is that personal touch which has made it a success.
“We can make our own decisions and meet the needs of the community. If someone wants a particular book, we will try and source it.”
- The library opens every Saturday from 9am-noon. Phone Madeline, 0415-902-038, or email Guildertonlibrary@gmail.com