Alexandrina Council’s library depot in Milang is moving to the Milang Old School House Community Centre (MOSHCC) in the coming months. The relocation means residents can drop-off library items and pick-up on-hold resources during MOSHCC opening hours, Monday to Friday.
Council’s library depot has been operating part-time out of a small room attached to the Milang Institute on Coxe Street for many decades. It is currently open 4.5 hours a week on Monday afternoons, 3pm to 5pm, and Friday mornings 9:30am to 12pm. The move has been prompted by recent concerns regarding the suitability of library facilities at the Institute. The attached room only has one door and can only be accessed externally, so it does not meet modern Work, Health and Safety (WHS) regulations regarding emergency exits.
“The library depot in Milang is a much loved service in the town with around 720 visitors last financial year which is an average of 14 visitations a week. Nearly three quarters of the visits are to collect items booked online,
” Chief Executive Officer Nigel Morris said. “Council wants to maintain this important service for the community, but we do need to address WHS issues, and we are also aware of ongoing internet connection problems in the facility.
“We have been talking to the Milang and Districts Community Association (MADCA) about using some space at their Milang Old School House Community Centre (MOSHCC) for a pick-up and drop-off point for library resources. “MADCA has been incredibly supportive of this option and so Council is now in the process of making the transition to a new location.
We hope to be completely moved by Monday 30 September. “Our library team is excited about the new opportunities presented by being in the MOSHCC and are hoping to promote all the services that can be accessed via the Libraries SA network, with the aim of increasing usage and membership.
“The library service at MOSHCC will provide a more flexible and user-friendly experience because it is open daily. “The ‘kiosk’ service model will operate similarly to the Mount Compass library kiosk at the Compass Central post office which has been in place since September 2019. This model has resulted in increased use of library resources thanks to the greater accessibility.
“The library team will be assisting to ensure the digital on-line library experience is optimised for the community, particularly for those residents accessing the Libraries SA App. “They are looking to host drop-in sessions at MOSHCC to provide one-on-one digital assistance, in addition to assisting residents to join the library and see what new items are available to borrow for free.
“Library collections are adapting to community interests, and Alexandrina Libraries now have family board games, Nintendo Switch games and even, thanks to recent grant funding, loanable devices.
“Add this to access to over three million items across the state, there really is something for all who seek recreation, enrichment, support and connection.
“Council is continuing to provide a financial contribution to the MOSHCC and Council’s Community Development team has been assisting with providing activities at the Milang Youth Hub.”