April 1994 did not seem that long ago, but upon reflection, so much has happened during those ten years. Nobody expressed a desire to return to the old library which now houses the Arts Centre. That building served its purpose but quickly outgrew the requirements of a thriving and ever expanding library service.

Statistics help to emphasise this point. In 1993/94, the library had annual loans of 597,000 items. In 2003/04, we will issue over one million items in a single year. This is a significant milestone for a service of our size and deserves to be celebrated appropriately. When you realise that 1400 users visit the library on a daily basis, such high loans are placed in perspective.

Libraries were once considered conservative, rather fuddy-duddyish and quaint establishments. Today, that image has been well and truly supplanted by one of adaptability, vitality and essentiality. Technology, which was supposed to bring about the demise of libraries, has instead assisted in the revitalisation of our services.

Ten years ago, librarians were aware of something called the Internet. We weren't sure of its impact, but we realised that our service delivery would be affected. Futurists forecast the end of libraries as citizens did all their information searches and downloaded their popular reading from terminals in their own homes.

Fortunately for our users, libraries have adapted and the Internet has enhanced service delivery. A decade ago we had no idea the library would have Internet terminals for public use, e-mail access would be so much in demand, and that a specialist librarian would be employed to provide training in Internet and e-mail usage.

Now we have a website, maintained by our Internet/Reference Services Librarian, which provides access to the library 24 hours a day. Users may search our catalogue and on-line databases, reserve library items, and check and renew loans from their own terminals at home or work.

Over the last two years, we have installed a new circulation desk and terminals, purchased new software, and expanded the children and youth services areas. These changes have been in response to the increasing demand for library services, and for additions and improvements to those services.

Although those ten years have been hectic, they have helped to emphasise how important the library is as a cultural and community service. But lest we get carried away, library staff realise that this success is created by those who visit and use the library.

In 2005, we celebrate 25 years of library service. Considering how far we have come, we may only wonder what will be celebrated after 50 years of a public library service.