The new library at Berkeley Street, Gwynneville is the only one of its kind in NSW.

KU Gwynneville Preschool won a state-wide Book Week competition to secure the new street library from the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA).

In conjunction with Street Library Australia, the CBCA has provided one new street library per state, with the not for profit organisation chosen as the recipient of the street library for NSW.

CBCA NSW Illawarra and South Coast Sub Branch president Kate O’Mealley, said the street library will be a fantastic addition to the Gwynneville streetscape, designed to nurture a love of reading and a sense of community through the exchange of books.

“At a time when so many of our stories are delivered digitally, street libraries provide a wonderful antidote, and an opportunity to surprise and delight the people who use them,” O’Mealley said.

“This location outside KU Gwynneville Preschool is ideal and is close to Gwynneville Public School and St Brigid’s Catholic Parish Primary School.

…street libraries provide a wonderful antidote, and an opportunity to surprise and delight the people who use them.

CBCA NSW Illawarra and South Coast Sub Branch president Kate O’Mealley

“It’s a high foot-traffic location, and we hope it brings the community together through books and stories.”

KU Gwynneville Preschool director Sue Vlasoff said the street library was a great addition to the local area, and felt thrilled that the centre was chosen as the location for NSW.

“We are very proud to have been chosen as the location for the new street library which will provide a wonderful opportunity for children and families in the area to read and share stories with each other, nurturing a love of reading and storytelling and promoting a sense of community,” she said.

“We would like to thank the CBCA and Street Library Australia who have been instrumental in establishing and supporting this opportunity.”

KU Gwynneville Preschool students decorated the street library at the same time they were developing a new community garden.

Street libraries are free to use, and this library will be stocked with a variety of books for readers of all ages.

People are encouraged to donate and exchange books via the street library.