A NEW Waterline Community Library Network will be established to replace the retiring mobile library service.
The network will include a community library at Grantville, “click and collect” services, which are currently proposed for Coronet Bay and Corinella, and an expanded outreach program. The outreach program is already under way, with weekly story-time sessions at Bass Valley Children’s Centre.
The network will include a community library at Grantville, “click and collect” services, which are currently proposed for Coronet Bay and Corinella, and an expanded outreach program. The outreach program is already under way, with weekly story-time sessions at Bass Valley Children’s Centre.
The West Gippsland Library Board’s decision to locate the community library at Grantville is supported by the Waterline Library Advocacy Group, which was established to ensure the Waterline communities continue to get fair and equitable access to library services.
Bass Coast Shire Council is working with the West Gippsland Library Corporation, which runs Bass Coast’s library services, to determine how the Grantville Transaction Centre can best accommodate the new library. Designs of the new space are expected to be made available in coming weeks for community feedback.
The community library is expected to be open for 37.5 hours a week. A librarian will be on duty six hours per week, with self-checkout facilities available during the other times.
Importantly, the mobile library will continue to operate as normal until the network is open and ready to go.
Waterline Library Advocacy Group spokeswoman Michele Hardy said the group still believed services were best provided using the existing mobile library but, since this was not on the agenda, held a public meeting to discuss alternatives.
While the group supported the locating of the community library at Grantville, she said they had concerns about the amount of space available at the centre and accessibility.
“With furniture and resources, how many people will be able to use the room at the same time? Also, is there enough room for patrons who are disabled or use some form of mobility aid?
“Secondly, the limited access to public transport from Coronet Bay and Corinella. For those that do not drive, this will create further isolation and social exclusion.
“Lastly, the premise of click and collect is that patrons have access to a computer or smart device and the Internet as well as the skills to negotiate the catalogue to reserve resources.
Ms Hardy said the group had brought the issues to the attention of the Westernport councillors and were in discussion with them to find viable solutions.
Bass Coast Shire Council is working with the West Gippsland Library Corporation, which runs Bass Coast’s library services, to determine how the Grantville Transaction Centre can best accommodate the new library. Designs of the new space are expected to be made available in coming weeks for community feedback.
The community library is expected to be open for 37.5 hours a week. A librarian will be on duty six hours per week, with self-checkout facilities available during the other times.
Importantly, the mobile library will continue to operate as normal until the network is open and ready to go.
Waterline Library Advocacy Group spokeswoman Michele Hardy said the group still believed services were best provided using the existing mobile library but, since this was not on the agenda, held a public meeting to discuss alternatives.
While the group supported the locating of the community library at Grantville, she said they had concerns about the amount of space available at the centre and accessibility.
“With furniture and resources, how many people will be able to use the room at the same time? Also, is there enough room for patrons who are disabled or use some form of mobility aid?
“Secondly, the limited access to public transport from Coronet Bay and Corinella. For those that do not drive, this will create further isolation and social exclusion.
“Lastly, the premise of click and collect is that patrons have access to a computer or smart device and the Internet as well as the skills to negotiate the catalogue to reserve resources.
Ms Hardy said the group had brought the issues to the attention of the Westernport councillors and were in discussion with them to find viable solutions.