SERVICE DELIVERY INITIATIVE

Yarra City Council Yarra Libraries Library Management Team

Open Libraries

Yarra City Council introduced a radical concept to the way public libraries operate in early 2022: they allowed the community the access library buildings outside of the usual opening hours, completely unstaffed.

Inspired by Europe’s public and academic libraries that offer 24/7 library access, the Open Libraries initiative has since been allowing members to use two of five community libraries outside of scheduled open times. After-hours access includes the ability to use WiFi, borrow and return books, use public computers (and the linked printing, scanning, and copying services), and the use of study spaces.

The project required an investment in security software, security cameras, and automation for lights and air conditioning, making the unstaffed locations as safe as possible for the community to access. Members are required to attend a simple induction program to upgrade their library membership, thenceforth gaining access to the libraries out of hours.

This has effectively increased library opening hours by 84 hours per week without increasing staffing overheads. Rather, staff time was allocated to set up policies and procedures, risk assessment, guidelines for membership, and the inductions which are now a business-as-usual process. After setup costs, the only ongoing expenditure is on security monitoring, cleaning of branches on public holidays, and utility bills.

Since implementation, the project has seen over 1,700 visits outside of usual business hours at one location and nearly 2,000 at another, from students using the facilities to study in the times that suit them to parents using the spaces with their children before school times and on weekends. Successfully responding to persistent community feedback about prohibitive opening hours and with positive feedback being received for the change so far, Yarra City Council’s goal over the coming years is to expand the all-day service to all locations.