2021-06-17 Ordinary Meeting Agenda

ORDINARY MEETING AGENDA                                                                 17 JUNE 2021



3     T000039 MOBILE LIBRARY CONTRACT AWARD


Author            Acting Manager Libraries & Galleries, Tracey King
                  Community Services Department

Index             ECM/Subject/33.15 – Mobile Library

Attachments       1.    Diesel vehicle Concept Design
                  2.    Electric vehicle Concept Design
                  3.    T000039 Evaluation Workbook



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report provides a recommendation to award the tender to the preferred contractor and for the
preferred vehicle option, for the construction and supply of the new Mobile Library vehicle.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Acting Manager Libraries & Galleries to the General Committee
Meeting dated 14 June 2021 and award tender T000039 – for the construction and supply of the
diesel option for the new Mobile Library to G.H Varley Pty Ltd.



REPORT
1.    Background

After 15 years the Noosa Mobile Library Service prime mover and trailer are nearing their end of life.
Council officers are implementing a replacement plan to continue to offer outreach library services
to hinterland and coastal areas that do not have a branch library in close proximity.

A service review and community consultation has shown the Mobile Library is still highly valued with
strong community support, however customer needs and habits have changed considerably over
the last fifteen years resulting in a decline in visitations, borrowing and overall usage of the service
in its current format. There is increasing interest in alternative service provision options.

After reviewing a wide range of replacement options, Council endorsed replacing the Mobile Library
with a combination or hybrid of library services to extend the reach of library services in the
community. The new Community Outreach Library Service will include a light rigid vehicle operating
on a weekly schedule, two library kiosks, bulk loans to partner organisations and a schedule of
learning programs and workshops delivered throughout the shire.

The recommended model will take advantage of emerging technologies and new vehicles with
renewable energy powered options while also mitigating identified risks around resourcing,
accessibility and legislative requirements and responsibilities. It will provide Council with a unique
opportunity to reshape delivery of outreach library services, be more flexible and extend the reach
of library services into the broader community.

Community consultation with users and non-users of the service has helped inform the planning of
the replacement model. Formal consultation showed strong support for new alternative delivery
methods and an overall positive response to the proposed new service model.


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