Library hours shake-up
After 700 responses, opening times overhauled
GEELONG has closed the books on proposed changes to its library opening times, adding more than 10 extra hours of service to its 13 branches.
The Geelong Regional Library Corporation (GRLC) yesterday announced revised opening times for 10 of its 13 branches following more than 700 responses as community engagement to a proposal to alter opening times.
Major changes include 10 extra hours of weekly open time at the Corio branch, and 6½ extra hours at Newcomb. However Belmont will lose six hours and the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre will lose five hours.
Only the Bannockburn, Queenscliff, Torquay and Western Heights libraries will retain their previous opening hours.
GRLC chief executive Patti Manolis said she was pleased by the level of response.
“We were so pleased to receive so much meaningful and constructive feedback,” Ms Manolis said.
“This response demonstrates what we already know — people in our region love and need their local libraries. The feedback generated a lot of discussion, and opening hours proposals for 10 out of 13 libraries were changed as a result.”
GRLC chair Cr Ron Nelson said the new opening times would allow the libraries to make the best use of resources, particularly in areas of the city that needed them most.
“The changes will ensure we are meeting the needs of our many different library members and reflect our communities’ requests and feedback,” Cr Nelson said.
“Changes include being able to access the Corio Library on a Sunday, additional opening hours, some libraries opening earlier to coincide with school drop-offs — these things will make a real difference.”
To view the revised opening hours, which come into effect from July 6, visit grlc.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay
THE CHANGES WILL ENSURE WE ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR MANY DIFFERENT LIBRARY MEMBERS AND REFLECT OUR COMMUNITIES’ REQUESTS AND FEEDBACK.” CR RON NELSON