The Lighthouse Toowoomba gives young minds a place to master words

The Lighthouse Toowoomba will offer hot desking, office suites, writing programs for adults, a ‘one-way’ library and free workshops for children.

Emma Mactaggart, founder and creative director of The Lighthouse Toowoomba a creative precinct that will include a Youth Writers Centre, creative workspaces, gallery and one-way library. Picture: Nev Madsen.

TOOWOOMBA’S newest creative enterprise opens today, giving young minds a place to master the written word.

The Lighthouse Toowoomba is located near the corner of Margaret and Hume Street in the former Colliers International site and consists of office suites, hot desks and a retail store selling quirky artisanal products.

Creative director Emma Mactaggart said the income from those ventures subsidised free workshops and outreach programs to improve child literacy.

“We want to ensure every child in Toowoomba can read confidently and has access to the written word,” she said.

The Lighthouse Toowoomba opens today. Photo: Nev Madsen

“We will be supporting schools while providing an alternative space for children to learn.”

This includes a “one-way” library where children can borrow books to start their home libraries.

There will also be paid programs for older residents to hone their reading and writing skills.

“We will be doing lots of collaborations with the Queensland Writers Centre, including a Write Friday program,” Ms Mactaggart said.

“It is a brilliant way for people to get over writer’s block and move their projects forward.

“It is really exciting,”