A record breaking 5000 people visited the City of Belmont’s new community centre - Belmont Hub - in its first week of opening.
And the firsts continued, when the City’s second picture book – The Belmonster and the Bear - was launched in Belmont Hub’s dedicated children’s space.
From Monday 12 October to Sunday 18 October more than 5000 people passed through the doors, 4107 items were borrowed and 3733 items returned.
In 2019 in the same comparative week, Ruth Faulkner Library recorded 2897 people incoming, 2831 loans and 3332 returns, representing a substantial increase in community use.
“These figures confirm the community’s support of Belmont Hub fulfilling a direct need,” City of Belmont Chief Executive Officer John Christie said.
During Belmont Hub’s first week of operation, participants in Bubs at the Hub, Story Time, and Stories with My Family, were treated to dance, songs and creative play in a week long book launch and celebration of The Belmonster and the Bear.
In the latest volume, The Belmonster and the Bear, Rosita the Belmonster explores the many interesting spaces within Belmont Hub as she goes in search of Hamish the Bear who makes his home in the Belmont Museum.
The Belmonsters began in 2015 as a collaborative project aiming to create opportunities that engaged the community in the arts and literacy.
Under the guidance of author Bailey Bosch and illustrator Cameron Aitkenhead the group came together to create the original story about the Belmonsters.
The result of this team effort was The Adventures of the Belmonsters – the City’s first children’s picture book chronicling the adventures of the funny friendly monsters that call Belmont home.
Based on the success of the first book, City officers worked with Cameron Aitkenhead to create another storyline about the Belmonsters exploring the new Belmont Hub.
The real Hamish the Bear, who can be dated back to the 1870s, is on display in the state-of-the-art Belmont Museum on the first floor of Belmont Hub.
Belmont Hub is a modern multi-purpose, cross-generational community building featuring a library over two levels, digital hub and multimedia recording studio, seniors hub, state-of-the-art museum, office space for community service organisation providers and much more.
“If you have not yet had time to visit Belmont Hub at 213 Wright Street, Cloverdale, come along and check out this amazing community facility,” Mr Christie said.
Pictured: The Belmonster and the Bear illustrator Cameron Aitkenhead with Elliot Patrick.