Have you popped into your local library lately? If not, you're missing out on a buzzing hub of activity, learning, and connection.

Our Hay Shire Library has been absolutely thriving, and there are some exciting new developments on the horizon for literacy programs that we're keen to share.

As a child and young adult, one of my favourite places in the world was the library. An avid lover of the written world, I was transported to many times, places and worlds as my taste in genres expanded and changed over time. It's plain to see I am not the only one, and the leaps and bounds the library continues to make. The August Hay Shire Council Business Papers outlined exciting facts and wonderful projections for the library, something which really needs to be celebrated.

It's clear that the Hay Shire Library is a much-loved spot. In July 2025 alone, it welcomed 26 brand-new members and re-registered another three, boosting our total membership to a fantastic 1,723!

But it's not just about the numbers; it's about the people. The library door counter showed an impressive 2,636 visitors in July – that's a whopping 22.72 per cent increase compared to the same time last year. Over the past 12 months, nearly 28,000 people have walked through the doors to take advantage of all the library has to offer.

And, its far more than just books! The dedicated staff are always on hand to help with computer access, Wi-Fi, printing, photocopying, and even email assistance. It's all about making sure everyone in our community, and even those just passing through, has access to vital technology.

The programs have been a huge hit! In July, event attendance soared to 449 participants. While there was a slightly scaled-back school holiday program, the rock painting workshop, led by a talented local artist, was an absolute showstopper!

Over 100 participants got creative, adding their colourful rocks to "Hamish the Community Rock Snake," a wonderful intergenerational art project. It was a fantastic example of the library being a safe, inclusive, and fun space for families.

Adult programs are also flourishing. The "Cuppa and a Chat" session nearly doubled in attendance, offering a warm and welcoming space for residents to share stories and reconnect over local history.

Groups like the Hay Library Knitters for Can Assist and Scrabble Group continue to provide social engagement and mental stimulation.

Plus, partnerships with Hay Public School and Hay Children's Services mean our youngest learners are getting a head start on literacy with popular weekly Story Time sessions.

Now, for a big change that's all about investing in our local community. The NSW Government funding for the Imagination Library program is set to wrap up in 2026.

This has given us a chance to rethink how we can best support early literacy here in Hay.

While receiving free books at home is a lovely idea, especially for those in regional areas, your library team has put forward a proposal to shift towards Council-delivered literacy programs.

Why, you ask? Well, they believe that local, in-house programs offer a much richer, more interactive experience, and can be significantly more cost-effective for our Shire.

Research and even informal chats with parents have shown that children often get more enjoyment and benefit from actually visiting the library, choosing their own books, socialising, and engaging with a wider variety of resources face-to-face.

For instance, the estimated annual cost of continuing the Imagination Library for existing enrolees, which is around $14,256, could instead allow them to purchase over 500 brand-new children's books for all families in our community!

This way, they aim building a diverse and accessible collection for everyone, rather than a limited number of mailed books for a few.

This strategic move will allow them to pour more resources into and expand popular programs like "1000 Books Before School" (with exciting new incentives!), ramp up the engaging "Story Time" and "Baby Rhyme Time" sessions, and even introduce cool new initiatives like "Parent and Caregiver Workshops" and "Borrow and Build" Literacy Kits tailored to local themes.

These kits will be a fantastic resource for families, especially those in our more isolated areas.

They're committed to making sure that children currently enrolled in the Imagination Library will continue to receive their books until June 2026. However, they have ceased new enrolments. This isn't a step backward, but a leap forward to ensure they're delivering high-quality, relevant, and engaging literacy experiences that truly meet the needs of all Hay families for years to come.

We're incredibly excited to see this new direction. Head down, say hello, and explore all the wonderful things happening at your local library!