Have you had a chance to visit The Yarn, the first Hunters Hill community library since this metropolitan suburb’s establishment in 1861? The long wait for the opening of a shared library seems all worth it as The Yarn has been slowly weaving into the lifestyle and activities of the community in the most sustainable way.
Launched in October 2020 on Gladesville Road, The Yarn provides Hunters Hill residents a vast collection of reading materials to browse and borrow, including from its e-library options. Visitors may also participate in local studies or use the spaces for meetings and community events.
Activities at The Yarn
Since the opening, the community space has been booked and packed with events, talks and workshops, where the locals may learn new skills on sustainable living or make new friends with like-minded individuals.
Events are scheduled at the Hunters Hill Eventbrite page and below are the highlights from the next activities for July 2021:
| DATE | TIME | EVENT |
| Wednesday, 30 June 2021 | 11:00 a.m. | Weaving Designs |
| Friday, 2 July 2021 | 11:00 a.m. | Osmo Playspace |
| Tuesday, 6 July 2021 | 3:30 p.m. | Clay Mosaics for Teens |
| Wednesday, 7 July 2021 | 11:00 a.m | Clay Creations |
| Friday, 9 July 2021 | 11:00 a.m | Ozobot Mazes |
The Yarn also offers programs, such as Storytime and Baby Bounce, for families with preschool-aged children every Wednesday and Friday at 11:00 a.m. On Fridays, the Justice of the Peace is open from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for residents needing to witness statutory declarations on official and legal documents.
The Yarn’s Uniqueness
Compared to other libraries in Sydney, The Yarn stands out for embracing the circular economy, where waste materials are turned into finite resources. Constructing the fitout for The Yarn involved the use of old school uniforms, tattered textiles, and shattered glasses.
Some of the furniture in this library come from repurposed materials, which have been created as high-value, durable and sturdy pieces by the microfactory at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). The Yarn also has its very own Waste Wall where the community can donate items for repurposing. A designated 3D printer uses waste plastic fibers to come up with displays for the Library of Things.
“How we can actually use waste materials in a community space like this that shows to local community members that we are really smart in terms of developing new science and technologies,” SMaRT@UNSW Director Professor Veena Sahajwalla said.