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Report
of the Cooperative Manager
Sarah Taylor (Manager, South
Coast Cooperative Libraries) reported on this special year. During this time
library services in Kiama and Shoalhaven Local Government Areas had to be
closed for a period of 9 weeks. Despite this, loans had only decreased by 3%,
mostly attributable to a surge in the uptake of digital content. Loans of
eBooks have increased by 27% and eAudio books by 54%. It is clear that both
libraries were quick to adapt to the COVID-19 situation and continued to
offer services to their communities.
18,500 new items have been added
to the shared collection, including 31,000 eBooks and eAudio, and 450
e-magazines.
Libraries remain very relevant to
the community; there were over 24M visits to public libraries in NSW last
year. The South Coast Cooperative Libraries received 28% fewer visits during
the last financial year, due to the impact of the closures and subsequent
staged reopenings; however, the libraries are now getting busier and staying
safe.
Report of Shoalhaven Library
Services Manager
Sarah Taylor (Manager, Shoalhaven
Libraries) reported that, as well as COVID, the Shoalhaven had also suffered
the impact of bushfires and flooding.
· Shoalhaven
Libraries were closed from March to June, reopening with restricted
borrowing.
· Spending on
e-resources was increased. A doorstep library service was implemented for
those unable to use the technology, to aid in providing service to as many different
parts of the community as possible. The Children’s and Local Heritage
programs have moved online. Working with technology has led to staff
enhancing inhouse skills, such as editing for online presentation.
· The Shoalhaven
Libraries App was launched, offering users access to search and reserve
functions, loan history, opening times, and ability to issue their own books
if in the library.
· The library is
not currently offering access to physical newspapers, and instead has
invested in the Newsbank database, which includes regional and national
papers.
· The shutdown
period has been used to conduct a stocktake of the whole Shoalhaven
collection.
· New
sustainability initiatives have also been implemented: solar panels have been
installed and all lighting replaced with LED at Nowra Library.
· Ulladulla
Library has had a particularly hard year, the Civic Centre having been
deployed as the emergency evacuation and recovery centre for 3 months.
· Planning for the
new Sanctuary Point Library is proceeding. Architects are being appointed to
work on detail design.
· A review of the
Mobile Library timetable has added 4 new community and 14 new preschool
locations.
· Milton Library
has reverted to core staff opening hours, as many volunteers understandably
are reluctant to return.
· Shoalhaven
Libraries staff have proven themselves adaptable and compassionate.
with a passion for the community. They are a very creative team.
Shoalhaven Libraries were
congratulated for keeping their users satisfied with the services.
Jane Lewis (Interim Director,
City Lifestyles) clarified the status of the Sanctuary Point Library project.
The Request for Tender was recently completed to appoint the architect to
conduct the detail design and investigation. The contract has been issued and
we are awaiting its return, after which Councillors will be updated. An
initial project control group meeting with the architects present is being
scheduled. It is intended to have the DA submitted and construction
commencing in the 2021-22 Financial Year. The site is located between Kerry
St and Paradise Beach Rd, opposite the St Georges Basin Country Club and the
NSW Police Station.
Report of the Kiama Library
Manager
Michelle Hudson (Manager Library
Services, Kiama Library) reported that the year had commenced on a positive
note with the additional State funds. These had allowed Kiama to increase its
children’s story time programs Storytime and its Thursday night
opening hours.
· As part of
involving community groups, parents and carers, visitors such as lifeguards
and fire personnel have participated in the story time programs
· The Gerringong
Library and Museum project had its sod turning last August. The old School of
Arts building has been restored.
· It was difficult
to have to close the doors on 24 March. There had not been much time to
advise members of the closure.
· Kiama also
experienced a large uptake of e-resources and assisted many people to use the
online services.
· Demand for the
Home Library service increased 47%.
· Services are now
slowly returning to normal. Demand for study space is increasing, which needs
to be balanced with other library use.
Michelle thanked Sarah Taylor and
the team for consultation and assistance. Everyone has worked together well
as a cooperative.
Clr Rice noted the importance of
keeping in contact with the community. It is inspiring to hear how the grant
funding for libraries has been used to enhance services for children and youth
as part of services to the community.
Jessica Rippon (Director,
Environmental Services) explained the Museum component of the Gerringong
project is nearly complete. The community are working closely with Council to
fill the display cases. Work is ongoing with the architect and builder on the
Library component to finalise the building. The aim is to open early next
year.
Clr Wells noted that community
surveys continue to indicate that libraries remain one of the most popular
services that councils provide.
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