libraries get more flexible

Cr Samantha Dunn checks out the Yarra Ranges
new Flexi Vehicle, built especially to deliver
library services to more people in Yarra Ranges.

I had a wonderful morning launching the new Yarra Ranges Library Flexi Vehicle service up at Wesburn Primary School.

The flexi vehicle will provide greater access to library resources and programs, including early literacy, to areas in the Yarra Ranges that we haven't been able to reach.

The Flexi Vehicle is representative of the work the Yarra Ranges has done over recent years to transform our library services and develop early literacy programs. Our transition to Reading Rooms in community facilities has been a resounding success, with many more community members utilising library services.



The design of the Flexi Vehicle makes it very versatile
and easy to restock with appropriate and
targetted book stock.

Our Early Literacy Project, which utilises trained volunteer storytellers, will be complemented by the Flexi Vehicle which will be able to used in many settings including playgroups and preschools.

The Flexi Vehicle willl also be able to go to more remote places in the Shire, as well as residential care facilities and caravan parks, opening up our library services and providing access and equity for so many more people.

I've been part of the team on the Library Strategy and Action Plan committee, it's great to see this vehicle in place as part of that strategy and library services getting to so many more people.



Being able to reach out to more community members
is great, you might even see the Flexi Vehicle at
community festivals and footy matches too.

samantha in the press - libraries

Reform looms for Yarra mobile library
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Melissa Cunningham
5 Jul 2011

yarra ranges mobile library service - what do you think?

report from the roundtable - 28 jun

At council this week, councillors had to consider proposed improvements to the Yarra Ranges Mobile Library Service.

The key improvements recommended in the report include:
- Replacing the existing Ranges and Valley Mobile service with smaller resource vehicles allowing greater access to many sites as well as meeting best practice sustainability requirements from an economic, social and environmental perspective.
- Addressing access issues often experienced by disadvantaged members of the community by expanding the current mobile library service site visits to include caravan parks, aged care facilities, festivals and events.
- Enhancing community wellbeing by supporting the proposed introduction and expansion of library services including offering library programs that focus on literacy and other areas of intererst and identified need.
- Increasing access to Information Communications Technology such as internet, e-readers and audio books through the provision of library services and programs in Community Hubs.

There's some really innovative ideas in the proposal, of particular note is the new way to connect the community in one of our most remote townships, Powelltown, to a library service through the General Store.

Another thing that is a real positive is that this proposed new service reaches those who are most disadvantaged and disconnected with our library service. There's a lot of positives and council looks forward to hearing what you think.

Councillors voted unanimously to release the report for community consultation.