General News
6 September, 2023
Moyne pleased with library success
MOYNE Shire Council has praised the first-year success of the joint-delivery model of the region’s library service.
MOYNE Shire Council has praised the first-year success of the joint-delivery model of the region’s library service.
The Corangamite Moyne Library Service (CMLS) is one year old, and the report card shows new model has been supported by the community.
Library visitation, program attendance and borrowing has experienced an increase in the first year, leading to both shires praising the effectiveness of the model.
CMLS is trending up for both shires on a number of significant measures, including an increased number of people using digital services.
Last week Western District Newspapers reported Corangamite Shire Council had praised the success of the model, a sentiment Moyne Shire has also expressed.
Moyne Shire mayor Karen Foster said the libraries provide more than just access to books and other loan items, but staff also support users to navigate the digital landscape with digital literacy support sessions.
“Our programs are back and in demand, with events for children, particularly our story times seeing strong attendance,” she said.
“These sessions bring the fun to early literacy and learning, while giving carers and children a chance to connect and meet friends, old and new.
“Our adult literary events have proven popular, with author talks, poetry readings and more drawing record crowds.”
Key statistics across both shires combined include:
• Library visits are up 28 per cent (over 64,000 visits);
• Program attendance is up 83 per cent;
• Wi-Fi usage is up 56 per cent;
• Public PC usage is up 46 per cent;
• Over 84,000 physical loans (books, DVDs, magazines); and
• Over 26,000 digital loans (audiobooks, e-books, digital magazines, streaming videos).
“Libraries are key to supporting our community in a cost-of-living crisis, remaining as free public spaces where people can drop by for somewhere warm and comfortable, to read a paper, connect with friends, or bring the kids for a play,” Cr Foster said.