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Library hours change

February 1st, 2025Library hours change

As part of Hepburn Shire Council's budget savings measures, Trentham and Clunes libraries will no longer open to the public on Saturday mornings from March.  

As part of Hepburn Shire Council’s budget savings measures, Trentham and Clunes libraries will no longer open to the public on Saturday mornings from March.  

Acting Council CEO Bruce Lucas said that the decision to not open the two libraries on Saturday mornings was made after careful consideration of usage and borrowing rates, and aimed to minimise disruption to the community.  

“As we worked on developing our Financial Vision, we carefully examined each council service to identify potential efficiencies. As we move forward with this effort,  we expect to make ongoing adjustments to our services to ensure they are more  efficient and cost-effective for our community.  

“The adjustments we’re making to our library operations will allow us to operate  more efficiently and offer services in a cost-effective manner, focusing on peak demand  times.

“Saturday mornings are our least busy times at our Trentham and Clunes sites.”  

The council will continue to have two libraries open to the public on Saturday mornings at Daylesford and Creswick.  

Meanwhile, the council has received a grant to expand community access to its four libraries beyond opening hours through the Open Access Libraries initiative, which allows library members to upgrade their membership to access library buildings beyond regular opening hours in the absence of onsite staff.

“This initiative supports our community to utilise their local library at a time that  suits them most. It aims to increase their opportunities to learn and share knowledge,” Mr Lucas said.  

“The extended hours will suit families to come and enjoy their love of reading, students to study, and our community to access knowledge and learning outside our regular library hours.”  

Council will roll out Open Access Libraries from March starting with the Trentham library, and then introduce the program at Clunes, Creswick and  Daylesford.  

Library members will be invited to participate in a comprehensive induction program to upgrade their library membership.

This will grant them exclusive access to facilities during non-operational hours, from 8am to 8pm, seven days per week, including public holidays.  

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