Changes to library services to ensure sustainable future
Published on 26 May 2017
Mildura Rural City Councillors last night adopted changes to the way library services are delivered in some areas of the district, ensuring they're sustainable into the future.
The changes follow a comprehensive sustainability review of Council’s library services early last year which revealed that while library services are highly valued and important to communities, there has been a significant shift in the way residents access these services.
The review found that some services and venues, including the mobile library service and Irymple Library, were suffering from a combination of declining patronage, increasing costs and decreased State Government funding.
In the case of the Irymple Library, this situation was worsened by the close proximity and convenience of the Mildura and Red Cliffs libraries.
In a bid to ensure the community was aware of the situation and possible alternative library service models, as well as seeking feedback from residents, Council embarked on two extensive public consultation programs late last year and early this year. These programs included public meetings, phone calls to library members and formal submissions.
After considering the findings of the sustainability review and feedback from the community, Councillors adopted the following changes to library services last night, which are not only designed to make library services more sustainable, but address the majority of issues raised during the public consultation process:
- develop a Mallee Track Library Service (MTLS), which will include place-based libraries based at the Ouyen Service Centre and an existing building in Murrayville.
- establish a weekly pop-up library service for Underbool and Walpeup residents.
- establish a weekly pop-up library service for Werrimull and Lake Cullulleraine residents.
- discontinue the mobile library service to Nangiloc.
- establish an alternate library service model for Irymple, which will include offering the current library building to a local volunteer organisation to operate a community centre. This community centre could include a library agency offering books, DVDs and other items, computers with internet access, WiFi access and a drop-off and pick-up point.
Combined, these measures will save rate payers $190,000 a year and ensure the region's libraries continue to remain viable and meet the community's needs.
Under the new library services model, the MTLS's Ouyen facility will increase library services from eight hours a week to 45 hours, offering access to 4000 items, computers, WiFi access and a self-loan machine.
The MTLS's Murrayville service will be open six hours a week as well as providing kindergarten visits, internet access and other programs.
Pop-up library services meanwhile will provide more flexibility and deliver materials tailored to residents' interests, despite offering fewer items overall than the mobile library service they will replace. Internet access and visits to schools and kindergartens will also be offered in towns serviced by pop-up libraries.
Under plans for the Irymple library service, the existing building will be offered to a volunteer organisation via an expression of interest process, paving the way for the transition to a community centre which could include a library.
Under this model, Mildura Library staff would offer an enhanced home library service for Irymple residents, increased visits to kindergartens and provide technology services and other programs.
It's envisaged such a facility would also provide books, DVDs, audio books, CDs and magazines for loan, as well as a drop-off facility, WiFi access and opening hours to suit residents' needs. The expression of interest process starts next month and will be conducted over a three-to-four month period.
Mildura Rural City Councillor for Arts and Culture Jason Modica said the changes to library services were ultimately designed to ensure a sustainable library service for the majority of residents.
"At the end of the day, our aim is to ensure our community has access to top quality library services for decades to come,” Cr Modica said.
“To achieve this, we need to ensure the service model is sustainable both in terms of patronage and financially.
“To operate a service that has a very small patronage and is very costly to operate, when there are other options available, is not a responsible approach. The changes proposed are responsible and ensure the viability of a very important service now and into the future for the entire community.
"These changes, which must be implemented as a complete package, will achieve these aims, while ensuring rate payers' money is distributed responsibly and where demand for library services is highest.
"While we understand there may be some residents disappointed with changes to their library service model, as Councillors it's our responsibility to sometimes make difficult decisions for the betterment of the entire community.
"We've certainly listened to residents' comments throughout this process and as a result have attempted wherever possible to include their feedback in the options we have now adopted."
Changes to library services will be adopted over the coming 12 to 15 months. Current services, which have been funded in the Draft Budget 2017-2018, will remain in place until July 2018.
Media enquiries
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au