In 2001, Lithgow Regional Library and Bathurst City Library
successfully applied for a Library Development Grant from the Library Council
of New South Wales.
The
project titled From Coal to Gold - local information
with a Regional focus brought together a project team from Lithgow and
Bathurst libraries to develop the local studies collections of both library
services.
Project aims
To provide a plan for the future development of local studies
in both libraries.
To develop the expertise of the staff of both libraries.
To improve the access to the collections of both libraries.
To promote local studies and the local studies collections
of both libraries.
Our region
As two of the oldest settled regions of New South Wales, Bathurst
and Lithgow contain a rich and varied history which encapsulates Australia's
development from a convict colony through Federation to the 21st century.
Each area has its own unique historic features.
Lithgow:
the western most point reached in the first crossing of
the Blue Mountains
central to the railway development across the mountains,
including the famous Zig Zag Railway
the centre of the western coal fields and one of the earliest
coal mining districts in Australia
the site of the first commercial steel produced in Australia
Small Arms Factory armaments site
the electorate of Prime Minister Joseph Cook
the home of Olympian Marjorie Jackson
Bathurst:
the oldest inland settlement in New South Wales
the home of Prime Minister Ben Chifley
site of the 1896 Federation convention
gateway to the Hill End and Sofala gold rush regions
National headquarters for Cobb & Co
Australia's premier motor sport location - Mt Panorama
Bathurst area produced the first grapes and hops
in Australia
The
project titled From Coal to Gold - local information
with a Regional focus brought together a project team from Lithgow and
Bathurst libraries to develop the local studies collections of both library
services. 
Bathurst:
