Gerald Lynch
The City of Whittlesea has conducted a review into its libraries to ensure the service keeps pace with population growth and changing trends.
Whittlesea Council has an existing service agreement with the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Corporation (YPRL) until 2025, and the review will see the partnership extend until 2031.
At present the Whittlesea library service includes a library at Mill Park, three branch libraries in Lalor, Thomastown and Whittlesea, a mobile library bus service, and the trialling of two click and collect hubs in Epping and Donnybrook.
Under recommendations in the review, the Galada Community Centre library hub in Epping North will be retained permanently with the addition of bookshelves and seating, as well as consistent staffing.
Another library hub will be established at the Kirrip Community Centre in Wollert and a ‘shop-front’ service will be established at the Mernda Town Centre.
Council will also work with YRPL to minimise waste by reusing books and upcycling materials.
Given the extensive community interest in libraries, a public report will be made available on Council’s website. The report provides detail about the library service, the service review and outlines how Council will continue to deliver library services for the growing Whittlesea community.
During 2022-23, there were more than 259,000 visits to a library within the City of Whittlesea, with this number expected to grow to 489,350 in ’23-24.
Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said the review had confirmed that libraries were still highly valued, not just for books but also as places of community connection.
She said the recommendations were “a really wonderful vision to ensure that our much loved and valuable library services continue into the future“.
“We have reviewed our current service delivery model with our rapidly growing community in mind. We need to look at innovative ways we can deliver timely library services to our developing and newer communities.”
Works on the various plans that have been recommended will commence between October and December.
