Library services at Keilor are long overdue for expansion, a local historical society says.
In a submission to Brimbank council’s draft library strategy, Keilor Historical Society said for too long the suburb’s library services had been the smallest of all Brimbank branches.
“We wish it weren’t so, as we have always promoted a larger library with longer hours and a keener interest in family and local history,” society president Susan Jennison wrote. “We want equity for the Keilor branch library, and we want to support good services across all the library needs in the region.”
Keilor Village library in Kennedy Street will be relocated to the council’s former Keilor offices later this year, with more study and reading areas, an IT training room and a dedicated program space to be included.
St Albans library
Star Weekly revealed last year the council is also considering a new library at St Albans, where local services are at capacity and “unable to meet customer demand for seating, computer access or study space”.
St Albans library had 282,000 visits in the past financial year.
The council received $33,715 state government funding late last year to increase seating, maximise floor space and address air quality and circulation issues in the IT training room.
Funding will be matched dollar for dollar by the council in the next financial year and the library will develop a business case for the expansion of its services.
“The business case would consider all options,” acting director community wellbeing, Kath Brackett said. “The development of a business case … would include investigating external funding sources.”
The last upgrade to St Albans library was more than five years ago, with a computer room and other spaces added.
There were nearly 1.1 million visits to Brimbank’s five libraries in 2014-15.
