Yarra Plenty Regional Library
[1] It is an independent legal entity with an executive management team which is responsible for day-to-day operations of the organisation.
[2] It is managed by the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Board made of two representatives (councillors) of the three municipalities that constitute the service.
[3] The library service covers an area of 988.4 km² including metropolitan, urban fringe and rural populations.
[4] The organisation is administered from its Library Support Services (LSS) located at Daniher Drive, Sth Morang.
[22] Care boxes were delivered to eligible vulnerable members of the library including books, magazines, DVDs and CDs.
[25] In July 2020 YPRL signed a five-year deal with Civica for the provision of the Spydus Library Management System.
The building is located in a historically significant setting adjacent to Shillinglaw Cottage, the timber trestle railway bridge and a number of old oak and peppercorn trees.
[41] A sculpture of local author Alan Marshall by Marcus Skipper welcomes visitors to the library.
[45] The setback, height of walls and the roof, materials and colours were chosen to complement its natural setting.
The building includes a library, art gallery, conference and meeting spaces, maternal and child health consulting suites, informal theatrette and a cafe.
[70] Further refurbishments in 2006 included a community art mural created for an inside wall featuring 21 butterflies, each unique, emerging from the pages of a book all made from mosaic tiles by NEAMI artists.
[74] It was built by Melbourne architects Oaten Stanistreet and was one of Victoria's largest public libraries at the time.
[78] Further improvements included the installation of a cubby and breastfeeding nook and increase in the number of seats and tables for use.
[79] In June 2021 an upgrade was completed which included a new entry forecourt with an accessible ramp, outdoor seats and tables, fitted coloured building lights and new trees and plants.
The next stage of the upgrade included the construction on an outdoor learning area and meeting space with sensory play elements and a community garden.
[83] In August 2021 the Council gave notice of its intention to sell part of the land which the library occupies to Fabcot Pty Ltd (wholly owned subsidiary of Woolworths Limited) to facilitate the development of a Woolworths supermarket, In return Fabcot will construct and deliver a new library to agreed specifications and construction cost.
The library is located beside the Thomastown Recreation & Aquatic Centre and Edgars Creek Trail and walking distance to Westgarthtown.
[88] In 2005 Thomastown Library was extended to include meeting rooms, a computer room with 16 terminals, a landscaped courtyard, storage area and kitchenette and revamped children's area which was lauded as a community hub and a model for community projects across Victoria by the State Government.
[89] Three art projects were also implemented at this time which included an outdoor mosaic work incorporating the themes of water, migration and Edgar's Creek, a 10-metre long curved glass entry wall and circulation desk windows featuring images of local people and places and the teenage area features images of local teenagers involved in a number of activities.
The Wings of the Waa Mojety (Crow) was installed on the library building by the artist, Andrea Tomaselli.
It represents the Wurundjeri people, the native custodians of the land as well as music, and other symbols of educational and social art forms.
The piece was a result of a partnership between YPRL, Banyule City Council and Neami, an organisation that provides a mental health support service.
Special features of the building include a children's outdoor reading space, a reading lounge with a gas log fire and a media area designed for teenagers[100] The Centre includes meeting rooms and the main Memorial hall which can seat up to 200 people.
[102] The mobile library's schedule includes stops at Epping, Doreen, Mernda, Panton Hill, St Andrews, Hurstbridge, North Warrandyte, Kangaroo Ground, Diamond Creek, Arthurs Creek, Yarrambat, West Heidelberg and Christmas Hills.
The mobile attends local festivals and events and has the ability to operate independently with its own generator.
[105] In early 2018 the mobile library had a considerable refurbishment, including new graphics on the side and back of the vehicle and change over of staff after the retirement of two long-term employees of YPRL.
It has a Euro 6 engine with 460 hp (343 kW), 6 × 4 drive line, a 12-speed automated transmission with a dual axle trailer.
This vehicle provides a wheelchair lift, face-out shelving to display stock and room for over 1,500 items predominantly large print, talking books, DVDs and magazines.
[111] A pop-up click and collect service was established at the City of Whittlesea's Community Centre in the Olivine estate in Donnybrook in the first quarter of 2022.
[112] A pop-up click and collect service was established at the City of Whitltesea's Galada Community Centre in Epping in the first quarter of 2022.
