Hopes pinned on Balmain library refurb

Now, more than another decade on, Friends of Balmain Library (FOBL) are still going strong, one of a dwindling number of library support and advocacy groups. And with Marrickville home to a stunning new $40 million library, and Haberfield library's $4.3 million upgrade opening last year, FOBL are hoping that Balmain will soon get some much-needed attention directed its way.

"It really is a lovely, warm, welcoming space, and the librarians are really helpful and friendly - it's just a kind of haven within Balmain," said FOBL committee chair Dr Fiona Mitchell.

"There is a buzz around the library, and certainly in the morning it can be hard to get in because there are so many strollers. It really is a very thriving part of our community; there are people using computers, reading newspapers, and around HSC time, all the side rooms are very busy.

"It certainly serves a purpose, and it does really need a bit of refurbishment ... to make it more modernised and more useable."

The Inner West Council has allocated $1.4 million in its 2022/23 budget to upgrade the historic Balmain Town Hall, site of the library and meeting rooms where the FOBL holds a monthly open book group and speaker events. Councillors voted last month to expand the community consultation on the upgrade to include revitalisation of the Town Hall precinct, which also includes the Balmain courthouse, post office and PCYC building.

Greens councillor for Balmain Kobi Shetty has thrown her support behind a Town Hall upgrade.

"Everyone would love to see the Balmain library get a positive upgrade and more services - the toilet facilities are awful, and it's hard to run a function," Cr Shetty said. "I think we should be more ambitious about looking after our heritage, rather than just stopping things from tumbling down."

FOBL holds fundraisers throughout the year, including its speaker events that have drawn a roll call of big names over the years - Geraldine Brooks, Kate Grenville, Bryan Brown. Rachel Ward, Tom Uren and Jack Mundey are among the authors, actors and activists who have addressed FOBL gatherings. Playwright and screenwriter Debra Oswald, head writer for the TV series Offspring, was this month's guest speaker.

Funds go towards enriching the library's book collection and services, but FOBL has been holding off on spending on bigger-ticket items until the upgrade plans are clear. "We haven't bought much in the recent past because with the talk of refurbishment, we thought we would save our beans and buy something that they want," Dr Mitchell said.

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