New Windale Hub, bilyabayi, Breaks the Mold of Traditional Library Design

The evolving landscape of public libraries in Australia will be showcased today Saturday 24/8/2024 with the grand opening of the cutting-edge Windale Hub, bilyabayi, in Lake Macquarie.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser described the new facility as a “lounge-room for the community” – a stark departure from the traditional library’s rigid rows of bookshelves.

“We’ve adopted a fresh approach to both the design and purpose of this building, creating an open-plan environment with vibrant and interactive spaces complemented by impressive technology,” she said.

“Windale Hub, bilyabayi, highlights our commitment to delivering modern and forward-thinking library and community spaces for the Lake Macquarie area.”

The facility will officially open its doors on Saturday, 24 August, with a community celebration planned from 9am to 2pm.

Key features of the new hub include a refreshed collection of books and digital resources tailored to the diverse needs and interests of the community, multiple meeting rooms, a recording studio, an engaging children’s area with tiered seating for relaxed reading, and a new community hall.

“The entire building showcases our push towards sustainable design and operations,” Cr Fraser added.

“We’re working towards having Windale Hub become one of the first Green 4-Star Certified facilities in our city.”

The new facility will also house Lake Macquarie’s Fab Lab, previously located in Swansea. The relocation to Windale provides a purpose-built space for digital fabrication and offers a more central location within the Local Government Area.

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager of Arts, Culture, and Tourism Jacqui Hemsley noted the positive impact the hub and its Fab Lab are expected to have.

“I’m thrilled by the opportunities that the Fab Lab and the Windale Hub overall will create,” she said.

“We anticipate the hub will be a valuable resource for everyone, from preschoolers learning to read to seniors seeking social activities and everyone in between.”

The building’s striking design includes slanted ceilings with a large public artwork suspended overhead. The piece, titled Yamuloong, is a collaboration between local Aboriginal artist Saretta Fielding and Sydney-based Jade Oakley. It symbolises the connection between people and place, with colours inspired by the local landscape.

“A large portion of Windale’s population identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, and this artwork reflects the importance of embedding a First Nations presence within Windale Hub, bilyabayi,” Ms Hemsley said.

“Each element in the artwork represents an individual, and together they symbolise the community coming together around a central gathering space.”

A custom-made return chute, created by Codewise and featuring artwork by Kamilaroi artist Jodie Reynolds, is another unique element of the hub.

The dual name, bilyabayi, is derived from the Awabakal language and means ‘valley’, reflecting the area’s low-lying geography.

Regular operating hours for the hub will commence on Monday, 26 August. The facility will be open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm, and Saturdays from 9am to noon. The community hall is also available for bookings outside library hours.

For more information, visit library.lakemac.com.au.