Message from our Chair Welcome to the Geelong Regional Libraries Annual Report 2020-21 that reports on a year in which I am immensely proud of the way in which the Geelong Regional Library Corporation (GRLC) has responded to the challenges posed by COVID-19. The way that the team adapted so quickly to repeated lockdowns to provide a continuous service throughout the year, is a credit to everyone involved. GRLC maintained a connection to our diverse and unique communities across a vast geographic area during the pandemic. Through services such as Click & Deliver, online events and extensive digital resources, vulnerable members of the community and those unable to visit a library, maintained a valuable connection to our libraries, programs and collections. The annual Word for Word National Non-Fiction Festival transitioned from a major in-person event, to an online program in 2020; another example of innovation and quick action. I’d like to thank our Festival Partners, the City of Greater Geelong and Deakin University, as well as presenting partners Bolinda and James Bennett, and all sponsors and supporters. In April, we officially welcomed the Colac Otway Shire into the GRLC family. The incorporation of our fifth Member Council brings our geographic footprint in line with the G21 region and sees our services expand to cover an area of almost 9,000km². It’s been a pleasure to welcome Cr Stephen Hart to the Board and I look forward to working with him and Council as we get to know the Colac Otway Shire communities and how we can best provide library services to them.
The communities in our region continue to grow and it is pleasing that our Member Councils are investing in library infrastructure to meet growing and changing communities. This year we have seen community consultation undertaken and plans unveiled by the City of Greater Geelong for a modern and much larger new library in Drysdale. We also saw the sod turned and construction start on the new Queenscliffe Hub, which will house the Queenscliff Library, along with the Visitor Information Centre and Queenscliffe Historical Museum. Planning is also underway for new libraries in Torquay, Armstrong Creek and Lara. Belmont Library has also benefited from investment from the City of Greater Geelong this year, with a major refurbishment breathing new life into the space, while Chilwell underwent a minor upgrade. A great organisation is shaped by its leaders, and on behalf of the Board, I’d like to thank Patti Manolis for her significant contribution to the organisation. Her legacy continues through our exceptional libraries, including the Geelong Library & Heritage Centre, as well as through our reputation as a leader in library programs and services. We are pleased to welcome Vanessa Schernickau who joined us in June as the new CEO of the GRLC and we look forward to working together. I’d like to also acknowledge the staff and volunteers who have made all the difference for our communities by providing essential library services during the pandemic. Finally, thank you to my Board colleagues and our Member Councils for their valued contribution and support throughout the year.
Cr Ron Nelson Chair of the Board
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GEELONG REGIONAL LIBRARY CORPORATION
