Willetton Library upgrade - Project Complete!

Update: 7th July 2021

We are excited to announce Willetton Library reopening and share this special occasion with our local community!

Willetton Library welcomes the community back from Monday 19th July and invites you to a celebration on Sunday 8th August from 11am - 2pm!

Event information can be found at the City of Canning Major Events Page.

We hope you love this new space as much as we do with key features including:

- a modern look and feel

- dedicated places for reading, study and play

- better connection to the outdoors.

We hope you come and check out the library soon as we welcome you back to your new look Willetton Library!

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Background Information:

Towards the end of 2019, the City undertook phase one of community consultation for the library upgrade, seeking feedback from library users and community groups as to what they see as important features in any modern library.

Willetton Library was transformed into an engagement hub with visual signage on entry and floor decals leading to an interactive engagement space. The engagement was promoted through the local newspapers, to the 25,000 library eNewsletter subscribers and through the City’s social media platforms, reaching over 13,000 people online.

Three-quarters of participants expressed the importance of maintaining a contemporary book collection for borrowing and reading, as well as having flexible and peaceful spaces to collaborate and study. Feeling connected and welcome to use the library as a place to interact and spend time with friends was of particular importance to library patrons.

Over the three week engagement period, there were 4,376 visits to Willetton Library. From these visits 2630 pieces of feedback were collected at the engagement hub and 211 surveys were completed online. The feedback provided in phase one formed the basis of the concept plan we are now sharing with you.

During May 2020, we consulted our community again on the proposed design concept for the library.

The community consultation was conducted online due to library closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our community embraced this opportunity with open arms and lent their voice with a creative and positive spirit to help us shape the future of Willetton Library.

With Council’s approval to proceed, we now start putting the ideas into action.

The community feedback received will guide the final design concept, including carefully considered library shelves and layout so that finding books is easy. Key feedback also included having shaded spots outside to relax in the open air and ensuring noise levels are minimised to reduce impact on other areas of the library. Please be advised that all final concepts and details are subject to tender / builder approvals and may not reflect the final design of the library.

Willetton Library will be closing for a three month construction period and will re-open July 2021. The after-hours return chute at Riverton Library is open for those wanting to return their items during the construction period. While the library doors are shut, you can access library services at Riverton, Bentley and Cannington; or a wide range of e-resources available anywhere, anytime on www.canning.wa.gov.au/elibrary

We are very excited about the Willetton Library Upgrade and thank everyone who took part in the design consultations.