Mobile library service impacted

Published on 22 June 2021

The fortnightly mobile library service to Lismore and Skipton will not continue after 1 July, once Colac Otway Shire and Warrnambool City Council formally withdraw from the Corangamite Regional Library Corporation.

Mayor Ruth Gstrein said the outreach van and staff position were part of the Colac Otway service and will transfer to the Geelong Regional Library Corporation.

“I know there are people who really value the outreach van, but the reality is only a small number of regulars currently access the service and it’s just not viable to replace at this stage,” Cr Gstrein said.

She said Council would look to establish a book depot in Skipton and encourage Lismore residents to use the nearby Derrinallum library.

“The library corporation is looking at trialling a book depot in Skipton and will work with community groups to figure out the best location, opening hours and volunteers needed to access the catalogue.

“We assure library users there will still be books in all of our libraries and staff are still available to help with accessing the digital collection or searching for your book,” Cr Gstrein said.

Both Corangamite and Moyne Shire Councils will move to a shared service library model in 2022 once the Corangamite Regional Library Service formally winds up on 30 June 2022.

The new service will give library members access to more than three million books from across the state through Public Library Victoria’s catalogue. Books will be delivered to their local branch free of charge.

Mayor Gstrein said 2021 would be a period of transition and an opportunity to trial what works best for Lismore and Skipton.

“Any withdrawal of services in small communities is not ideal, but we are asking people to hang in there and continue their borrowing habits via Derrinallum library or the proposed book depot in Skipton.

“There has been a comprehensive review of what residents want from their local library service and we think this new model will offer a lot more choice in the long term,” Cr Gstrein said.