The Victorian Government will deliver library upgrades across the state – to help our libraries improve their services and support their communities.
Announced today, 17 July 2024, was the latest Living Libraries Infrastructure Program (LLIP) recipients at Middle Park Library, which will soon be redesigned and revitalised as one of 19 projects to receive a share in $2.2 million in funding.
This builds on the more than $48.2 million invested by the State Government in Victoria’s 283 public libraries this year – to ensure they can continue delivering their vital services to the community.
The Middle Park Library Activation Project will receive $200,000 from the Victorian Government and a further $200,000 from the City of Port Phillip.
The library space will be redesigned in collaboration with the community, with a focus on ensuring it meets the needs of young people during the day. The redesign will also create more opportunities for events including primary school visits, book club meetings, author talks, after-school spaces and a toy library.
The latest round of funding also includes $156,000 for Melton City Council and $187,000 for Goulburn Valley Libraries for new mobile library vans, and more than $70,000 for technology improvements at Alpine Shire Libraries.
The Victorian Government is also supporting Greater Shepparton City Council with $42,000, Hepburn Shire Council with $185,000 and Strathbogie Shire Council with $48,000 to provide greater access to library resources.
Over the last nine years, the Victorian Government has invested more than $49.3 million dollars into 139 library infrastructure projects.
View the full list of successful recipients below. For more information on the Living Libraries Infrastructure Program, visit https://www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/grants/living-libraries-infrastructure-program.
Successful recipients of the 2023-24 funding round
The Alpine Libraries Technology Access Upgrade will upgrade technology at Myrtleford, Bright and Mount Beauty Libraries. Access to library technology and accessibility will be enhanced for community members and enable self-service and support new patrons to join the library and interact with the spaces and staff in a way that suits them.
This project will provide additional study space to meet growing demand in the Bunjil Place Library through the extension of built-in benches. This will supply an additional 24 metres of study space, catering for at least 24 additional users at any one time, and approximately 350 per week.
This project will see the installation of Anytime Access with RFID. The library space will be redesigned in collaboration with the community to meet the needs of the younger members during the day, such as primary school visits, after school space, toy library as well as book clubs and author talks.
This project will see the purchase and installation of four prefabricated meeting pods to meet the current high demand in the community for quiet yet connected spaces to meet, work and study. The provision of such pods would further support local community and business with remote/hybrid work, access to Wi-Fi and technology and a place to conduct meetings. It would also open up access to existing, larger meeting rooms, supporting more efficient use.
This project will see the purchase and installation of two prefabricated meeting pods to meet the current high demand in the community for quiet yet connected spaces to meet, work and study. The provision of such pods would further support local community and business with remote/hybrid work, access to Wi-Fi and technology and a place to conduct meetings. It would also open up access to existing, larger meeting rooms, supporting more efficient use.
This project will see the purchase and fit out an Outreach Van to replace the mobile truck to enhance and complement current services, upgrade the community library service offerings and pilot, monitor and enable the design of more cost-effective and tailored services reflective of the changing environment and engagement of users.
The Open Library project is an initiative that will give members access to the libraries from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. Members can participate in a simple induction program to upgrade their library membership, granting them exclusive access to facilities during non-operational hours. This extended access encompasses borrowing privileges, use of Wi-Fi, public PCs, study spaces, and the availability of print, scan, and copy services.
The Hepburn Open Access Library Program will provide after-hours access to the Shire's four library spaces and facilities for the community. Community members can sign up to become open-access members by completing an induction program. Open access members will be provided access to our facilities during non-operational hours encompassing borrowing items, use of Wi-Fi, public PCs, study spaces, and the availability of print, scan, and copy services.
The Doncaster Library layout upgrade project will improve and increase study, work and reading spaces, increase available seats and power points, improve acoustic control and customer service areas,
This project will see the purchase and custom fit out of a van to support mobile library service delivery, prioritising communities in a growing city that currently have little or no access to libraries. Regular outreach programs based on community need would be scheduled to support service delivery and increase library membership and loans.
This project will see the redesign of the Customer Service area of the Red Cliffs Library to increase the space for community engagement.
This project will transform the Cobram and Nathalia libraries into accessible community hubs beyond traditional hours through advanced technology integration, including CCTV, automated lighting, self-service kiosks, and digital resources. This enables extended access from 8am to 8pm, fostering inclusive learning and engagement opportunities for all community members.
Mount Waverley and Wheelers Hill library entrances and circulation areas will be remodelled, to enhance customer experience and engagement. Library collection shelving will be upgraded delivering flexible floor plans that improve accessibility, community programming, increased participation and enhance display and marketing of library collections, resources, and information.
This project will improve the visibility of the Shire’s Libraries and their services with the aim of creating awareness and range of services. This project will reach those who are unable to currently access library services due to transport, mobility or schedule times.
This project is aimed at enhancing the library customer experience byredesigning and switching the present locations of the public internet bench and circulation desk.
The Open Library project is an initiative that will give members access to the libraries from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. Members can participate in a simple induction program to upgrade their library membership, granting them exclusive access to our facilities during non-operational hours. This extended access encompasses borrowing privileges, use of Wi-Fi, public PCs, study spaces, and the availability of print, scan, and copy services.
This project will activate the Richmond Library Hub spaces by replacing the carpet in the stairwell, foyer and meeting rooms to match the library-level flooring. This will provide a feeling of connection to other parts of the building. A meeting room divider will be installed to provide an extra bookable community space, portable booths that further support private meetings and quiet spaces will be installed as well as the conversion of two rooms transforming them into a wellness space (parents/prayer) and a creative studio.
This project will refurbish the Library to create a purpose-built textile maker space within the library, provide custom built workstations with attached cribs for working parents, and increase powered work spaces with appropriate furniture.
Stage 2 will see the activation and redevelopment of the outside area of the Rupanyup Community Library Precinct, to create interactive and engaging outside spaces and zones, enticing people from diverse backgrounds (age, gender, race and socio-economic background) to utilise the facilities.