New shared Library service a step closer

Published on 03 February 2022

A new shared library service for Moyne Shire Council is a step closer after councillors endorsed two key steps at the February Council Meeting.

Councillors agreed to formally wind up the Corangamite Regional Library Corporation and delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to sign the shared service arrangement with the Corangamite Shire Council.

The new arrangements will commence from July 1.

Moyne Shire Mayor, Cr Ian Smith, said library users could expect to see minimal changes to their services.

“While things will be different behind the scenes, it will be business as usual for customers at our branches in Mortlake, Koroit and Port Fairy – but with a few added extras,” he said.

“Users will get a new library card and thanks to a new agreement with Public Libraries Victoria there will be a greater selection of items to borrow – but the core services will remain unchanged.”

Under the agreement, Moyne Shire Council will host the Library Hub which will be responsible for the management of the shared services and will employ a hub coordinator.

Each council will run its own library branches and outreach services and be responsible for the employment of branch staff.

Cr Smith said Moyne and Corangamite opted for a shared service model after Warrnambool City and Colac Otway Shire withdrew from the Corangamite Regional Library Corporation.

“These two motions agreed to by Councillors are the next step in the process to begin our new shared service model and Corangamite Shire Councillors adopted the same motions at their January meeting,” Cr Smith said. 

“Both Moyne Shire Council and Corangamite Shire Council were the remaining partners in CRLC and now that we are entering into a shared model, part of that process is to formally wind up CLRC.

“We are very much looking forward to this new model being put into place and continuing to deliver important library services to Moyne and Corangamite Shire residents.”

This media release has been extracted from https://www.moyne.vic.gov.au/News-Media/New-shared-Library-service-a-step-closer