The new library will be located at the corner of Portland and Northridge Drive, Cameron Park.

The name Sugar Valley is in reference to the valley area surrounding Mount Sugarloaf.

The Sugar Valley Library Museum will be the Hunter Valley’s first converged library and museum building, fusing contemporary library services, technology and community facilities with opportunities to celebrate, promote and captivate – presenting the West Wallsend story through exhibition and display.

Virtual underground is coming

A Virtual Reality immersive experience of the Killingworth Colliery is currently in development for the opening of Sugar Valley Library Museum.

Visitors will immerse themselves in the heritage of the Killingworth Colliery, traveling along mine tunnels, finding historic tools and objects while learning about working at the mine.

This VR experience is proudly funded by NSW Government.

Construction of the Sugar Valley Library Museum is expected to start in early 2022 and take about 10 months to complete. We anticipate the new facility will officially open to the public in late 2022.

Consultation on the Arts, Heritage and Cultural Plan identified a need for a contemporary library space in the Sugar Valley region.

In 2020, we consulted with the community on the draft concept designs for the facility. A summary of the consultation can be viewed at shape.lakemac.com.au.

The building at Edgeworth is no longer fit for purpose due to insufficient space, limited parking and increased traffic impacts in this
location.

The Lake Mac Libraries Strategic Plan 2019-2024, highlighted the opportunities a converged Library Museum would bring to the north-west of the City, with opportunities for engaging interpretations West Wallsend’s community history and mining heritage.

Yes – services will continue from Edgeworth Library until the Sugar Valley Library Museum opens.

Edgeworth Library will continue to operate until the new Library Museum opens its doors, in late 2022.

Council is in discussions about a plan of transition for users of Edgeworth Library who may be impacted by the changes. A range of
options including increased access to home library and mobile library services via The Rover are being considered.

This plan will be developed and communicated closer to the time that Sugar Valley Library Museum is operational.

Edgeworth Library will remain a community facility. Once the Library has been decommissioned, we will run an expression of interest process for a community group or service to lease the facility.

The collection will be responsive and driven by customer use and requests. There will be a focus on improved browsing, collection
display and turnover, fostering a love of reading and building literacy outcomes in the City’s north-west.

Yes - community members will be invited to join the Art, Culture and Tourism volunteer team. Volunteer recruitment will be run via
lakemac.com.au leading up to the opening of the new facility.