City looks at mobile library

By Shaun Inguanzo
THE City of Casey could take on Greater Dandenong’s out-of-service mobile library if it believes the prime mover and library trailer are suitable for its needs.
Greater Dandenong stopped its service last month after a report showed only 50 people out of the 2000 registered were using the service each year.
City of Casey River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith told Star if Greater Dandenong did not want the mobile library but it was still in good condition, then he would recommend that the Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation investigate purchasing the prime mover and trailer.
Cr Smith said he didn’t want to create a Casey versus Greater Dandenong ‘war’ over the mobile library.
“But if it came to the position where the service is not going to run and (Greater Dandenong) is going to sell the whole kit and caboodle, and it was suitable to be used here, then I would certainly push for Casey to investigate buying it,” he said.
Cr Smith is a passionate advocate for mobile libraries and said a new service would cater for residents in Casey’s coastal towns and for the growing populations of Narre Warren South and Berwick South.
“I am not in favour of big libraries and people having to travel – I believe libraries should instead be close and accessible to residents,” Cr Smith said.
Purchasing the Greater Dandenong mobile library could prove to be an economical move for the City of Casey, even if the trailer needs refurbishing or refitting.
Cr Smith said he believed a new service cost about $2 million, yet a Greater Dandenong report to council on mobile library maintenance last year said it would cost $600,000 to upgrade the service.
Last week City of Greater Dandenong Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades revealed the prime mover was in prime condition – it has only travelled 47,500 kilometres.
This week she said the areas of Keysborough, Keysborough South and Bangholme – where it was of most benefit– were similar to those coastal and growth areas of Casey that the Casey-Cardinia Library corporation was interested in serving.
In its official response the City of Casey remained tight-lipped on – but did not rule out – the possibility of buying the mobile library.
Casey manager of art and leisure Robyn Bowen said there had “been no official approach” regarding the purchase of Dandenong’s recently retired mobile service.
“Nor has there been any approach to the Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation (CCLC) about the possibility of operating the bus,” Ms Bowen said.
Greater Dandenong council this week would not comment on whether it had received offers for its mobile library. A council spokesman only said the trailer and prime mover were in a garage and their futures awaited further direction from the council.