Hume’s new library vans rolled into the city’s growing northern suburbs last week as the council strives to improve access to library services.
The vans, named VanGo and The Reading Vroom, will make regular stops across Hume, providing booklovers with the opportunity to borrow and return books or join the library without needing to visit one of Hume’s existing library branches.
The Reading Vroom features a returns chute and a versatile space for children’s and youth programs and will head out to festivals and events across the city.
Council unveiled the vans at an event in Kalkallo on Wednesday, January 15, which featured a special story time with mayor Jarrod Bell.
Cr Bell said the new vans would supplement the council’s library kiosks in suburbs without branches.
“What we know about this part of the world, in our growing northern suburbs, there’s not the access to library services we so desperately need,” he said,
“By launching VanGo and The Reading Vroom we’re sending a signal to the community to say we’re supporting them. We’re excited to provide more access to our services.
“We know libraries change lives, and access is more than just books – it’s the programs and story times – it’s all the elements that a library brings to a community that’s missing here.
“This is a step in the right direction to supporting the Kalkallo community and the Mickleham community.”
Cr Bell said council’s library services plan included the construction of libraries in the city’s north into the future.
“While we have plans to delivering libraries in these areas, we know they’re not there yet, so in the interim we knew this is something we needed to do, and the community has shown their support in droves for this new initiative,” he said.
The vans will make stopes in Greenvale on Thursday, January 16, and Mickleham on Friday, January 17. Details: www.hume.vic.gov.au/Residents/Things-to-See-and-Do/Events/Events-Calendar
