2021-02-09 Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                              9 FEBRUARY 2021


7.     Recommended Model

It is the recommendation of this report that Council replaces the current Mobile Library prime-
mover and semi-trailer with Option 3 - the Community Outreach Library Service model, consisting
of a smaller specially manufactured vehicle and two library book-vending kiosks to be located at
Peregian and Pomona. Proposed sites near to the Community Houses in each location have
been identified. Library outreach services would be enhanced through bulk loans offered to
partner organisations and a schedule of library learning programs delivered within the
community.

A smaller vehicle with greater manoeuvrability can access locations a semi-trailer cannot. This
provides the flexibility to visit or trial new locations and offer a booking system where community
members/organisations can request the service to visit them i.e. day care centres; retirement
villages; Men’s Sheds. As a smaller vehicle would not require a heavy combination license,
current resourcing challenges and legislative requirements and responsibilities are reduced. In
addition, overall service delivery costs are significantly less than replacing the service with a
similar sized vehicle. Staff would continue to explore the potential of an electric vehicle through
the procurement process.

This option value-adds to the service, enabling customers access to the 24/7 library kiosks, in
addition to the weekly library visit. Customers would be able to walk inside the vehicle to browse
the collection and collect pre-reserved items. The new kiosks, alongside user education around
e-collections and reserving items, will improve access to-all library collections and the internal
access and under-cover alfresco area will continue to provide welcoming, gathering spaces for
users to enjoy.

8.     Project Timeline

The project would be delivered through to December 2021 with the kiosks to be launched in
Sept/Oct 2021 and the new vehicle to be launched in December 2021.




Previous Council Consideration
Nil.

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