Hindmarsh Shire Council recently revealed their plans for the provision of library services moving forward, as they join two other councils in leaving the Wimmera Regional Library Corporation.

At a Special Board Meeting held on Thursday 30th May, WRLC received correspondence from Hindmarsh, Northern Grampians, and Yarriambiack Shire Councils stating their intentions to leave the Corporation as of 30th June 2020.

Each of these Councils have said that they plan to transfer staff who currently work in their local libraries to the respective Council.

WRLC has said however that some staff who deliver library services in the background – and the mobile library operator – will be affected by these changes.

The next twelve months will see WRLC negotiate the withdrawal process with the three Councils, with the full intention to ensure a smooth transition.

A WRLC spokesperson said that “we anticipate that there will be minimal disruption to communities and library patrons in using their library services.”

The Corporation currently operates ten static branches and one mobile library service throughout the Hindmarsh, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera, and Yarriambiack Council areas.

Hindmarsh positive about local library future – public not as certain
The response we received to our first story about these changes highlighted some community concern about Hindmarsh moving away from the WRLC.

Hindmarsh Shire Council remains optimistic however that these changes will improve library services available to residents across the shire.

Hindmarsh Shire Council CEO Greg Wood said that a recent review of library services has found ways to improve the services available in Jeparit and Rainbow.

“Our review and investigations are looking at different scenarios effective from 1 July 2020, and one of the options under consideration is to establish static libraries located at Council Customer Service Centres in Jeparit and Rainbow,” he said.

“This system has worked well in Dimboola for many years and there are other councils throughout Victoria that provide a similar service.

“This will provide Jeparit and Rainbow and district residents with a minimum of one and a half days of service per week which is a significant increase from the minimal hours they receive now [from the mobile library].”

Council’s intention is to employ the Nhill branch library staff member from 1 July 2020 and work with neighbouring shires to consider various alternate shared service options.