Sarah Oliver
A regional library will be built in Kalkallo within 10 years, according to a new plan adopted by Hume council.
Councillors endorsed Hume’s Libraries and Learning Service Plan during last Monday’s council meeting, agreeing to explore opportunities to partner with Whittlesea and Mitchell councils to build a regional library in Kalkallo.
In the short-term, Hume council will consider setting up a temporary library in the community.
As reported by Star Weekly, Infrastructure Victoria’s ‘Social infrastructure in Melbourne’s growth areas’ study found that a new library would need to be built in Hume’s northern growth corridor within the next five years.
The Libraries and Learning Service Plan cited the Melton library, built in 2013, as a case study and an example of how a library can support the community.
The multi-purpose building, which cost $20 million, is now open every day of the week and offers an array of services, including the library’s book collection, education programs, meeting rooms, support for students, resume and job application help, an array of children’s programs and services and much more.
A similar centre, suggested to be built in Kalkallo, would provide its residents and surrounding suburbs with opportunities to develop as a community and integrate diverse health, wellbeing, and education programs, the plan stated.
The pandemic may cause a reconsideration into how the library will be developed and what services it could accommodate, the plan said.
“It is possible that suburban libraries may be able to take on an even larger role to support more people working away from a centralised workplace (but not from home) in a post-pandemic context.”
The plan also recommended council implement a branch library service in Mickleham, develop a business case and concept plans for a small-scale permanent library service in Greenvale West and plan for future library service provision in growth areas, including Craigieburn West and Sunbury (Lancefield Road)
