BY PAT CALLANAN

COVID-19 restrictions have forced local libraries to delay opening newly constructed branches, while many services are shifted online.

The Springvale Community Hub, operated by the City of Greater Dandenong in south-east Melbourne, has been unable to fully open its community spaces since its completion in June.

Springvale community precinct coordinator Sarah Hill said the $58 million hub includes a new Springvale Library and council facilities, making it an important community asset. 

The council has gradually opened the hub’s outside areas and services, such as click-and-collect, in-line with restrictions.

“That kind of grander and larger scale community stuff will take a little bit longer,” Ms Hill said.

Dingley Village Library, operated by Kingston Libraries in south-east Melbourne, was closed in 2019 for its $3.25 million renovation.

Dingley Village library officer Liz Evans said the refurbished library reopened in June, but services remained limited due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

“We were able to open for a grand two weeks, with restricted openings…we had no more than 20 people allowed into the library at a time, for no longer than a 45-minute session," she said.

“It wasn’t an ideal way to open a brand-new refurbished library."

Both library services are eager to reopen to the public when it is safe to do so, with their renovations reflecting the Victorian Public Libraries 2030 Strategic Framework recommendations.

The Framework found public libraries are increasingly being utilised for creative and community purposes.

Consequently, the framework recommends libraries dedicate less floor space to collections in favour of communal and creative spaces, such as lounges and multimedia facilities.

Kingston Libraries branch coordinator Karen Reiter said a key goal of the renovations is to ensure the library space feels more accessible and engaging.

“We’ve actually got the opportunity with the way the building has been designed to be doing different things,” she said.

“We’ve got ... a laptop bar there now and great breakout spaces.

“It’s just got a totally different feel to it now.”

The pandemic restrictions have also reshaped the way library services engage with users.

Ms Evans said the importance of online resources fast-tracked the implementation of online projects by Kingston Libraries, such as the creative writing Kingston Write Now Group.

“Some of these programs we might have thought we’d do in the next few years,” she said.

While many programs, such as LEGO-building, will be offered in-person once library branches reopen, Ms Evans said there has been enough interest in programs such as the Virtual Book Group for them to continue digitally.

Greater Dandenong libraries has also transitioned the bulk of its services to be available online, library technician Ros Tiberi said.

“We used to have Readers on Wheels which is where we went to visit nursing homes and did a session,” Ms Tiberi said.

Greater Dandenong libraries have successfully adapted the program to function virtually, she said.

“You can actually expand the library service more into the community as well.

“You start to engage with people who probably weren’t engaged with the library.”

Further details on the programs and resources currently available can be found on the Greater Dandenong Libraries and Kingston Libraries websites.