Welcoming Stawell and St Arnaud libraries into council operations

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Northern Grampians Shire Council welcomes the teams from St Arnaud and Stawell Libraries to our staff after the libraries management officially transfers from the Wimmera Regional Library Corporation (WRLC) to council in the new financial year.

The change in management will mean library programs and services will be supported by council resources and will be able to cater to the specific needs of the community.

Existing library memberships will automatically transfer from WRLC to Northern Grampians Libraries which will be a part of the Central Highlands Libraries network. Library members will not need to do anything except pick up their new cards.

Members who use online resources such as Borrowbox and RBdigital will see a temporary suspension of service from 30 June to 1 July. Users will need to call the library to transfer their details and reinstate their accounts after this period. The library team will provide support on how to do this

Members can still expect the same friendly faces and excellent service they love at the library branches.

“Our community is our number one focus; they always have been and always will be,” Northern Grampians Shire Council libraries team leader Kerry Wilson said.

“By becoming part of the Northern Grampians Shire Council’s team, we will be able to really focus on our local communities and deliver the services and programs that matter most to them.”

“There has been some uncertainty during the Coronavirus Pandemic about libraries, but we have continued to provide limited services and look forward to getting back to full programming under our new management.”

Northern Grampians Shire Council CEO, Liana Thompson, said council is very excited to welcome the staff at the Stawell and St Arnaud libraries aboard at council.

“Library staff will be employed by council and the management of the library buildings and programs will become council responsibilities while library membership and book and asset management will be handled by Central Highlands Libraries,” she said.

“This is a very exciting time for both the libraries and council as we can work together to make sure the community can get the absolute most out of these important and much-loved services.”

“I cannot wait to introduce our library workers into the world of Local Government.”

The Stawell and St Arnaud libraries will be closed from Tuesday 30 June to Tuesday 7 July to allow for a few days of staff training and set-up due to this transition.

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