Library Location: Truelson Room, at the back of St. Patrick's Church
Our new library is located in the Truelson room at the back of St Patrick’s Church and we have extended opening hours so it can be a welcoming area and resource.
Our Together-In-Faith prayer group originally had the great idea of using the area in the Truelson room more and explored different ways to do that. Then it was an adventure of fundraising and coordinating to achieve getting the library finished.
In the process we realized that the library wasn’t a new idea. The very first library was in Fr Ainslie’s office (perhaps), in the early 70’s, at the time when the office was in the school admin building. John Truelson remembers building the solid pine shelves for the purpose. Anne Tracey was working in the office then and she remembers some of the books being donated and others left behind by teachers and priests
Later on, during Fr Grundy’s time, the Parish office moved to where it is now. The library ended up in the downstairs meeting room. It proved to be a bit out of the way and although the parishioners who knew about it found it very valuable, not enough people realised they had that sort of resource there.
We were very happy we were able to start with so many good books, which helped in a key way. God certainly helped us there. Then we want to thank everyone who has donated books and are still contributing in a number of ways to make the Library a success. And, even though we can’t name everyone, special thanks John Truelson for building quality shelving on a tight budget. Our church has a wonderful history of good hearted parishioners working to help others in different circumstances. Maria Truelson was just tireless working for homeless people and others and we honour her efforts and hope to highlight her poetry soon.
Our library is going forward and we love our potential to do a great job connecting with parishioners and different groups, so we ask that you aren't strangers as we'd love to hear your ideas.
John Truelson at the opening of the new Library
