General News
25 April, 2026
Safe haven for people
THE Mossman Library, which turns 20 on Monday, is more than just a place for bookworms.
It also serves as a venue for emergency accommodation during disaster events.
Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said the library’s role during Cyclone Jasper was a reminder of how important these spaces were.
“After Jasper, the library became emergency accommodation and it still forms part of our disaster planning,” she said.
“It shows just how trusted and essential this place is for our community.”
It’s two decades since the much-used facility opened its doors and replaced the original 1977 library on Mill Street.
Cr Scomazzon said, although parts of the original building remain, the major upgrade in 2006 transformed the library into the modern community space it was today.
“Libraries are such a big part of any regional town” she said.
“They’re a place where people come together, to learn, to connect, or just to enjoy a bit of quiet. It really is a space for everyone.”
Miallo resident Judy Coulthard, who worked at the library when the new building opened, said the upgrade came at exactly the right time.
“Libraries were changing fast,” she said.
“They weren’t just places where people borrowed books anymore. We needed to introduce programming like ‘Baby Rhyme Time’, story sessions and holiday activities. The old library was only about 200 square metres, so we simply didn’t have the space.
“The new library was around 600sqm and that extra room meant we could finally offer the programs people were starting to expect.
“People could use computers, children could take part in activities, so it was a big shift from just borrowing books to something much more.”
To mark the anniversary, the library will set up a display showcasing its history from Friday, 24 April.
