Council looks into library plan

CASEY’S library services are insufficient, say local councillors.
At Tuesday night’s council meeting, the council moved to look into extending the Hampton Park library and setting up a mobile library service in Casey.
Previous hopes had rested on Casey gaining access to Cardinia Shire’s mobile library for its two free days which became available once Emerald’s permanent library opened in July.
But it now appears Cardinia will use its mobile service elsewhere in the shire.
Councillor Wayne Smith said after years of waiting to rely on another council’s service, it was time to look at re-establishing a mobile library after the council chose to get rid of its more than 10 years ago.
“It is time to bite the bullet and look at establishing our own mobile library service,” Cr Smith said.
He said the library would not only service the coastal villages but also other areas in need in Casey.
Council officers will now prepare an urgent report investigating the cost of establishing a mobile library service and identify any other possible external funding sources.
Councillor Colin Butler said he had been promising his ward residents for three years that they would get use of the mobile library from Emerald and now they needed another option.
Councillors also moved a motion that council officers prepare a report detailing the costs of extending the Hampton Park Library on the vacant land between the library and Arthur Wren Hall to provide more services and activity space for children and youth.
Cr Smith said since the day the library opened it was acknowledged that it was far too small.
He said Hampton Park Library had a huge number of young people accessing the service and the council needed to cater for that growth.