New-look library structure
Regional libraries in Northern Grampians, Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack shires will open this month and start working under new operational models.
All have transferred from Wimmera Regional Library Corporation.
Stawell and St Arnaud libraries will operate within Northern Grampians Shire Council through Central Highlands Libraries corporation and reopen next week.
Nhill, Dimboola, Jeparit and Rainbow services will be part of Hindmarsh Shire Libraries under Hindmarsh Shire Council.
Warracknabeal Library and outreach services in centres across much of the Mallee will make up Yarriambiack Libraries through Yarriambiack Shire Council.
A new-look Wimmera Regional Library Corporation, which has opened under COVID-19 operational guidelines, continues to operate out of Horsham and provide services for West Wimmera Shire centres of Edenhope, Kaniva, Goroke and Harrow.
Northern Grampians council team leader Kerry Wilson said Stawell and St Arnaud library members could continue to expect familiar ‘friendly faces and excellent service’.
“Our community is our number-one focus, they always have been and always will be,” she said.
“By becoming part of Northern Grampians Shire Council’s team, we will be able to really focus on our local communities and deliver the services and programs that matter most to them.
“There has been some uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic about libraries, but we have continued to provide limited services and look forward to getting back to full programming under our new management.”
Chief executive Liana Thompson said the council was excited to welcome staff at the Stawell and St Arnaud libraries.
“Library staff will be employed by the council and the management of the library buildings and programs will become council responsibilities, while library membership and book and asset management will be handled by Central Highlands Libraries,” she said.
Expectations, meanwhile, are that work on a new library, council customer service centre and new public amenities at Dimboola will be complete by the end of the month.
Hindmarsh Shire Libraries services will undergo regular review based on COVID-19 restrictions with an aim to open by mid-july.
Yarriambiack Libraries will operate Warracknabeal Library with outreach libraries at Beulah, Hopetoun, Minyip, Murtoa, Patchewollock, Rupanyup and Woomelang.
The service will also feature library-service drop-off systems in place for Brim, Speed, Tempy, Yaapeet and Lascelles.