Progress on new library services along Mallee Track and Millewa
Published on 31 July 2018
Mildura Rural City Council is continuing to progress the development of its New Libraries Branching Out model, which will increase access to library services for residents along the Mallee Track and the Millewa.
The new model came out of a comprehensive review of Council’s library services aimed at making them more sustainable while improving access.
It will replace the existing mobile library service with a combination of pop-up and place-based libraries at the following locations:
- placed-based library at Ouyen Service Centre
- place-based library at Murrayville
- weekly pop-up library at Underbool
- weekly pop-up library at Walpeup
- weekly pop-up library at Werrimull
- weekly pop-up library at Lake Cullulleraine
Work has been underway for several weeks at all locations as Council progresses toward the opening of all six branches in coming months.
In the case of the two place-based libraries, Murrayville’s new library will be located at Pioneer Park. Construction has already started off-site on the new building that will house the library, with signage erected in Pioneer Park to provide residents with an idea of what their new library will look like and exactly where it will be located.
A part-time Library Officer has also been recruited to operate the service once it is open.
The new building is expected to be in place later this year.
Preparation works have been completed at the Ouyen Service Centre ahead of the start of works in coming weeks to establish the township’s place-based library.
Lake Cullulleraine’s pop-up library meanwhile will be based in the former Lake Cullulleraine Tennis Club rooms at Johansen Reserve. Renovation works to the building, including new air-conditioning, is almost completed and should be finished by the end of this month.
Underbool residents’ new library service will be a pop-up service at the Underbool-Linga Hall. Some minor works are required on the building and these will be completed in the coming weeks.
The Walpeup pop-up library will be housed in the Walpeup Hall, with work recently completed on a new ramp to make the building more accessible.
The Werrimull Hall will be home to the township’s pop-up library. No works are required to this building.
Councillor for Arts and Culture Jason Modica said it was an exciting time for library services along the Mallee Track and the Millewa.
"In the majority of cases, replacing our mobile library service with a combination of pop-up and place-based libraries will improve access to library services,” Cr Modica said.
“For example, Ouyen residents will enjoy an increase in access from the current eight hours each week to 45 hours, while residents in Murrayville will see an increase from 4.5 hours per week to eight staffed hours, plus the option of 24-hour access.
“It’s really a win-win for these communities as not only will it result in better library services, but more sustainable services due to the cost savings they generate compared to the current mobile service.
“This means residents can be assured they’ll have access to quality library services for many years to come.”
Media enquiries
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au