Council endorses Library Strategic Plan 2019-2021 to help drive library services

There are available here thanks to Port Macquarie-Hastings Library Service's openness to new ideas.

An Imaginarium recording studio and the virtual reality Portal are other examples of innovative library services.

And there will be more innovation to come under a road map for the future.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is looking ahead with an endorsed Library Strategic Plan.

The plan's vision is to provide a library service for all that offers a cultural hub for the community through access to collections, spaces and experiences.

The document looks at people, programs, spaces, collections and technology.

It includes actions to ensure a consistent level of service coupled with innovation to stay up to date with trends.

The Library Strategic Plan would ensure a collective approach to developing library services, programs, events and structural requirements into the future, a council report said.

The library service consists of a central library in Port Macquarie, branches at Laurieton and Wauchope, a mobile library van and a self-service loans stand at Port Macquarie Airport.

"Port Macquarie-Hastings Library Service maintains its reputation as an innovative high-functioning service, and accordingly, library visitation is significantly higher than the NSW average demonstrating the high value that our community places on the network of libraries across the LGA," the Library Strategic Plan said.

The 20-year-old Port Macquarie Library covers 2100 square metres.

That falls below the State Library of NSW recommended minimum floor space of 2590 square metres.

Projections show the catchment area of Port Macquarie as 52,794 by 2036, which should represent an area of 3179 square metres.

One of the plan's key actions is to develop a civic precinct master plan by June 2021.

Other actions include proactively seeking out new digital services and annually reviewing the collection development policy to streamline collections based on community need.

Urban growth areas are also in the spotlight with an action to develop concept plans for additional libraries/community hubs in key urban growth areas by June 2021.

The council has development contributions plans, which will provide for library/community facilities in new urban release areas at Lake Cathie/Bonny Hills and Thrumster.

The Library Strategic Plan runs through to 2021.

Cr Peter Alley congratulated the library team members for their innovative work at the library.

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