Harrington Library will become the State's first 'community access library' from Monday 10 May, after the community embraced the proposal for the new model when it was presented last year.
The new access model will be trialled for 12 months to allow members to use the service and provide feedback during that period, before a final assessment and decision is made.
The new model uses a combination of staffed and community access hours, with the library available to members from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and 8am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Staff will be present until 1pm each week day and community access outside those hours will be via a swipe card.
"We're thrilled with the model the Harrington community has helped us develop," said Council's Manager of Libraries and Community Services, Chris Jones.
"This is a perfect opportunity to transform Harrington Library into an active community hub and our staff are excited to see how it goes.
"We know there's plenty of interest from other Libraries around the State in the pilot project."
During the trial the library hours will increase from 37 per week to 58 per week, allowing community members more access to choose when they use the facility.
"Based on loan and visitation statistics, Harrington is underutilised in the current opening hours, so we're hoping that if we take this opportunity to provide greater access for the community, these figures will lift and this fantastic community facility will be able to be enjoyed by more people," Chris explained.
Members of the community who would like to have an access card can register and obtain one at Harrington library, from today, Monday 26 April.
A community reference group has also been established to work with Council and share feedback from members.
