Surf Coast Shire Council is exploring ways to improve library services for residents in its hinterland and coastal towns outside of Torquay.
Currently, Geelong Regional Libraries provide a mobile library bus for up to 15 hours per week in total across Aireys Inlet, Anglesea, Deans Marsh, Lorne and Winchelsea.
While the current service is useful, it's only available for community use for limited times when the vehicle is in town which can make it difficult for some to access. The bus is also ageing and facing increasing maintenance and reliability challenges.
With the vehicle nearing the end of its working life, Council is exploring other ways to make library services more convenient, reliable and accessible for everyone.
"We'd love to hear from those living in communities across our shire, outside of Torquay, about what's most important to them when it comes to library services," Cr Tony Phelps said.
"We're exploring new ways to deliver satellite library services so are considering more flexible and accessible options that might better meet community needs."
"Options such as permanent click-and-collect locations, library collections co-located in community facilities with regular staff visits, or 24/7 library lockers or cabinets where residents can browse, borrow and return items at a time that suits them," he said.
"With around one in three Surf Coast Shire residents holding a library membership, it's important that everyone has access to library services that they need."
"I urge our hinterland and smaller coastal community residents to take our short survey as your feedback will help shape what these services look like," Cr Phelps said.
