City of Perth Library highlights local creators

Fremantle Press and the City of Perth Library have joined forces to celebrate 40 years’ worth of talented Western Australians.

CEO Jane Fraser said she was delighted to showcase the work of local creators with a display in the Library’s foyer.

‘It’s a year since the City of Perth Library building opened and we encourage anyone who hasn’t yet visited this wonderful new facility to do so. The space is flooded with natural light, but it’s also the type of place where there is a cosy nook for readers of all ages,’ said Fraser.

Assistant Manager Joanna Andrew (who is also one of WA’s best-read librarians) curated the display, which she said highlights some beautiful Fremantle Press titles, from classics to stunning photographic books, award-winning novels and children’s and young adult books.

‘We have selected titles from the whole sweep of the collection to showcase the talented local writers and illustrators in our State, and to tell a visual story of how publishing has changed over time. I particularly like the cabinet that has books for all ages – in other languages, as recordings, programs for plays created from Fremantle Press books – it is lovely to think that these wonderful stories are being enjoyed in different formats, and all over the world,’ said Andrew.

A year after opening day, Andrew said the amazing staff had risen to the challenges and opportunities brought about by working in a multistorey and much-anticipated building – but that the real highlight of the year had been seeing and hearing people’s enthusiasm for the library and its collections.

‘The gift of a thriving local writing community that has books in public libraries, is that as readers (and borrowers), we can see our lives and our landscapes in stories, or have our horizons expanded to discover new places and ways of living. Libraries allow people to discover new writers and then add them to their own collection or recommend them to others,’ said Andrew.

The Fremantle Press display will be in the Library until 12 April.