Richmond-Tweed mobile library to receive donation boost

Flood-ravaged Richmond-Tweed Library has devised a way to help bookworms get their fix as the building’s repairs continue. Read the latest here.

It was the popular institution devastated by harrowing floods that rocked the Northern Rivers this year — but a new chapter will be penned for the Richmond-Tweed Library with help from an outpouring of community donations.

Locals have described a “river” that destroyed the entire collection of their beloved library and mobile library.

Richmond-Tweed Library acting regional manager Lucy Kinsley said people were in tears at the loss of the community icon.

In an attempt to fill the void, volunteers and staff deliver hope in the form of a few boxes of books and friendly smiles.

“We’ve been continuing the mobile library service using a Hyundai station wagon,” Ms Kinsley said.

“It’s very small, we only had a limited collection.

“It was very hard to manage in the pouring rain and cold weather.”

However, an outpouring of support from donations across the country has seen the Richmond-Tweed Library score pallets of books for the new mobile library truck that has now hit the road.

Library officer Gary Dardengo said the second-hand trailer started its life on the Scenic Rim Library circuit in 2007 before being put up for sale one month before the Lismore floods.

The Richmond-Tweed Mobile Library setting up in Nimbin after floodsdestroyed libraries across the Northern Rivers in February.

When the floods hit Northern Rivers earlier this year, News Corporation Australia announced a $1 million commitment to hard hit communities.

Our News In The Community program has been working with St Vincent de Paul and other charity groups on the ground to allocate the funds.

As part of that commitment, News Corp has donated a total of $200,000 to nine flood relief community initiatives and one flood-affected individual in the worst-hit regions —$20,000 of which was donated to the Richmond-Tweed library.

Local Heroes Rebuilding Communities.

Volunteers packing the new Richmond-Tweed mobile library were ecstatic they were able to take a greater selection of reading materials to residents, with the acting regional manager acknowledging News Corp’s donation.

“We are very grateful,” she said.

“$20,000 will go to very good use I can assure you — for many people, opening up a book is an escape.

“It’s a travel experience, it’s knowledge, it’s whatever you want to have in a book — you can find a book to provide what you are looking for.”

Gary Dardengo from the Lismore mobile Library. Picture: Savannah Pockock

Mr Dardengo said having the mobile library back up and running was “bloody awesome”.

“Our patrons are loving it … they’re just so appreciative,” he said.

“A library at the best of times is the heart of a community. This one, being very community-minded and going out to all of the little communities is very much loved.

“(The donation) will go a long way towards getting not just the mobile library, but the Lismore Library up and running.”

Trisha Bryant, a library volunteer from Nimbin, said it would change lives.

“People keep telling us how incredibly important it is to have a read,” Ms Bryant said.

“Especially for those who have been isolated in the floods or where the roads have been damaged and they can’t get into town.

“We’ve only had one box of large print fiction to choose from so if you’re an older person with bad eyesight, we now have a whole section to choose from.”

To help Richmond-Tweed Library with its ongoing recovery, click here.

Download a copy of the R U OK? Mateship Manual to find out how you can help someone doing it tough after natural disaster.