COMMUNITY interest is being sought in two exciting new initiatives at Port Macquarie-Hastings Libraries.
The initiatives are the result of a close working relationship between staff from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s Move Eat Live Well program and the branch libraries in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Laurieton.
This relationship saw the launch, late last year, of a new exercise equipment lending scheme enabling library users to borrow smaller items of equipment such as hand weights, aerobic steps, pedometers, stretch bands, yoga mats and skipping ropes.
The equipment was all purchased through funding from the Move Eat Live Well program.
The council is now hoping to get two new initiatives off the ground with the support of the local community – a seed lending library operating through all three branch libraries in the Port Macquarie-Hastings and a small community garden just outside the Port Macquarie Library.
Local residents wanting to assist with either initiative are currently being asked to register their support.
The council’s community development group manager Lucilla Marshall said a local seed lending library could be the first of its kind in Australia. It would provide free seeds on ‘loan’ to local residents, encouraging them to grow healthy food and providing them with greater access to fresh fruit and vegetables.
Those people who are successful in harvesting seeds will simply be asked to return some of them to the library. People will also be encouraged to share excess seeds, seedlings and produce with their local community gardens, neighbours and services such as soup kitchens and refuges.
The branch libraries would manage the cataloguing, storage and loan process and would also develop educational tools to teach people how to successfully grow from seed.
Mrs Marshall said the other initiative would see a small community garden established on the northern side of the library building and would be used to promote the growing of food, healthy eating and exercise.
The garden would consist of five or six raised beds with a small shed nearby for tools and other equipment.
Library staff would be responsible for the on-going management and maintenance of the garden but would actively seek the involvement of library users and members of the broader community. The library would develop educational resources and would run workshops to teach people about gardening.
Commercial support is currently being sought to help get both projects off the ground early this year.
Local residents interested in becoming involved are being asked to add their names to the contact lists available at all three libraries, to email portlib@mnclibrary.org.au or to contact Brendon McDonald at Port Macquarie Library on 6581 8755.
