New Library Agencies Open for Business!

After months of careful planning, Goldfields Libraries’ new Library Agencies are now open for business! Communities in Wedderburn, Boort, Inglewood, Pyramid Hill, Tarnagulla, Dingee, Axedale and Elmore are already reaping the benefits.

“Goldfields Libraries staff farewelled the Mobile Library today with a mix of nostalgia, pride and excitement at welcoming in the new and exciting future of library services in the rural communities of the Goldfields Region,” said Chris Kelly, Goldfields Library Corporation CEO.

“The new Library Agencies have already created a buzz in their communities and beyond, offering a hub to read and relax, access the internet and meet with friends. Local volunteers are embracing the opportunity to help their communities connect on a whole new level,” said Ms Kelly.

Rural communities in the Loddon Shire and northern City of Greater Bendigo areas now have more hours of library services available to them than ever before. Most Library Agencies are open multiple weekdays, some every weekday, offering greater convenience for families and individuals to visit their local library agency.

Library Agency customers have access to a rotating collection of items to loan, as well as the opportunity to reserve items from the Goldfields Libraries collection of 300,000 books, DVDs, magazines and more. Reserves are delivered to Agencies on a weekly or fortnightly basis.

Regular, free library programs such as Storytimes will soon be underway, with a special focus on children’s literacy and digital literacy for adults.

The Goldfields Libraries eLibrary is also available 24/7 from any internet connected device, offering free access to a collection of 20,000 eBooks, audio books, training videos, children’s stories and activities, language learning, music, films and family history resources.

The Mobile Library service has been valued by rural communities in the Goldfields Region since the 1980s when it began with a single van, growing to three vans in 1997/98. As patronage declined, the service was reduced to two vans in 2001, then back to a single van in 2002. Patronage has continued to decline since this time.

The Heathcote and Eaglehawk Libraries and Pyramid Hill Library Agency were opened to give communities access to library services in areas no longer serviced by the mobile library.   

For Library Agency locations, hours and details visit: www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/libraryagencies