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.  

Macedon Ranges residents are being encouraged to take advantage of the shire’s four libraries as free ‘warm spaces’ and enjoy an abundance of literature and free activities during the colder months. 

In partnership with Goldfields Libraries and Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, the local council is backing an initiative to utilise libraries at Gisborne, Kyneton, Woodend and Romsey during business hours, to help people reduce energy costs and stay connected throughout winter and beyond.  

In addition to offering literature in different formats including books, eBooks and audiobooks, all four libraries also have free Wi-Fi, daily newspapers and free activities for all ages. 

Goldfields Library Corporation’s Manager Engagement and Operations, Jess Saunders, said in the current climate where many people are experiencing cost of living pressures, libraries were a great option for people to keep warm, participate in free activities and stay socially connected. 

“Libraries are safe and inclusive spaces, and everyone is welcome to use them. You can stay all day in a comfortable warm environment, surrounded by friendly people, without needing to spend any money or worry about running up energy bills,” she said. 

Following National Homelessness Week, 5-11 August, the council’s Director Community, Maria Weiss, is encouraging those experiencing homelessness to reach out for support and use libraries as a safe, warm space to help stay connected. 

“We know providing public warm spaces doesn’t solve the issue of homelessness, but it does go some way towards providing a safe space, where people can feel connected to the community,” Ms Weiss said.

“That connection can also provide an opportunity to find out what other services may be available to them.” 

Support services are provided locally by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, with the organisation’s Team Leader Housing Support and Financial Services, Kate Weston, saying they can assist anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness in the Macedon Ranges.  

“We can also refer people to other services that the organisation offers such as counselling and family services,” Ms Weston said.

“The warm spaces initiative offers local community members a valuable source of support where they can access lots of useful information.”  

Exploring and facilitating warm, safe spaces for residents during times of extreme weather is a key action in Council’s Climate Emergency Plan 2023-30, to assist with strengthening communities’ collective resilience to climate change events.    

The council has also committed to advocating for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness through its Affordable Housing Policy, which was adopted in June 2023, and its Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2021-2025. 

“Through these commitments, we are working closely with key stakeholders to support more affordable housing options and help address the issue of homelessness in our community, and to raise awareness of support services available,” said Ms Weiss. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, you can contact Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) on 03 5421 1666 or the Launch Housing Emergency Accommodation Crisis Line (after hours) on 1800 825 955.