Campaspe Shire Council formally adopted its Library Service Strategic Plan 2025–2030 at its Council meeting held on 15 July.
The new strategy reflects insights, ideas, and aspirations shared by residents during an extensive community engagement process held earlier this year with the aim of helping to shape the future direction of Campaspe Library Services. A comprehensive survey available online and in-person at all Campaspe libraries invited residents to share their experiences, preferences, and hopes for their local libraries.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Daniel Mackrell welcomed the adoption of the strategic plan.
"Our libraries play a crucial role in fostering lifelong learning, promoting literacy, and building strong, connected communities.
"Thanks to the valuable input from residents, this strategy is grounded in what matters most to the people we serve," he said.
In addition to the survey, a series of "Listen at the Library" sessions were held during which community members could speak directly with respected library consultants Ian and Jacqui Phillips, alongside library staff. These conversations provided deeper insight into the needs and expectations of a diverse range of library service users.
"By actively involving residents in this process, we've created a strategy that is both ambitious and responsive," Cr Mackrell said.
"Our goal is to ensure that our libraries remain vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking hubs for learning, connection, and cultural enrichment."
The Library Service Strategic Plan 2025–2030 will guide service improvements, new initiatives, and investment priorities over the next five years, ensuring that Campaspe libraries continue to evolve in line with the changing needs of community members.
The community consultation demonstrated that there is already a high level of satisfaction with the services provided by Campaspe Libraries (average customer satisfaction score of 9.1 out of 10), but with four main strategic goals and priority actions – read, belong, access, and grow – the plan seeks to have Campaspe libraries do even better by improving community literacy, growing community connections, increasing community access to library services, and reaching out to new audiences.
You can read the strategy on Council's website at https://www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/Our-council/Documents/Strategies-plans
