The Port community is invited to a morning tea on Monday, September 3 to celebrate the library’s fifth birthday.

“I can’t believe it has already been five years since we moved to our new premises on Sturgeon Street,” Kris Abbott, the council’s library services manager, said.

“Our community has certainly enjoyed having three times the space to read and relax, as well as meeting and study rooms, a courtyard, a café, and wireless internet.

“We want to invite all of our valuable customers and community members to join us for morning tea… to help us mark five years in our new premises.

“Everyone is welcome, just bring yourselves.”

With the bulk of its books and storage space bursting at the building's seams, the council announced the library would move from the Port Stephens Street building, built in 1946, to the old police station in Sturgeon Street in 2012.

The move and fit-out of the new building, which cost $300,000, was complete in 2013.

The relocation was jointly funded by the council and a $200,000 state government grant.

Ms Abbott said the library is more than just a place to borrow books.

“Libraries are valuable centres of information for our community, and also play an important social role in many people’s lives,” she said.

“Whether they are students, young families, new residents or older Australians, libraries really do bring people together.”

The morning tea will be held 10am to noon.

For more information about Raymond Terrace Library phone (02) 4988 0111.