2021-02-09 Services & Organisation Committee Meeting Agenda

SERVICES & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                9 FEBRUARY 2021


5     REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE COMMITTEE

1     MOBILE LIBRARY REPLACEMENT PLAN
Author            Acting Manager - Libraries & Galleries, Tracey King
                  Libraries & Galleries, Community Services Department

Index             ECM/Subject/Libraries/Mobile Library

Attachments       Nil


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
After 15 years the Noosa Mobile Library Service prime mover and trailer are nearing their end of
life. Council needs to implement 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. Given the
substantial changes in libraries and community needs it is timely to consider the appropriateness
of the service model going forward.
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, this report recommends 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 would include a light
rigid vehicle operating on a weekly schedule, two 24/7 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 recommended replacement model. Formal consultation showed strong support for new
alternative delivery methods and an overall positive response to the proposed new service
model.
The new service model can be implemented within the allocated capital works project budget and
would be implemented in a staged approach, culminating with the launch of the new outreach
vehicle by the end of 2021.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Acting Manager of Libraries and Galleries to the Services &
Organisation Committee Meeting dated 9 February 2021 and
A.    Approve Option 3, the Community Outreach Library Service, as the replacement model for
      the current Mobile Library service;
B.    Request the CEO to undertake the necessary procurement processes to implement Option
      3 within the capital works budget allocation; and
C.    Refer the operating budget for consideration in the 2021/22 budget process.



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