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Community Library Service

Bringing Library Services to the Community
Welcome to the Geelong Regional Library Corporation's Community Library Service.
 
GRLC is committed to providing excellent library and information services to all members of our region. Our key goals, as expressed in the GRLC Library Plan 2008-2013, are to build stronger inclusive communities, to provide opportunities for learning and literacy to all, to provide access to ideas and to encourage a lifelong love of reading.
 
It is with great pleasure that we extend library and information services to you at this time when you are unable to physically access our libraries. GRLC relies on its team of volunteers to provide library services to housebound individuals, aged care facilities and community groups. It is our hope that you value and enjoy the relationship you develop with our volunteer team.

Official Launch of the Community Library Service (Video)

Home Library Service

The Home Library Service is available for housebound library members and their carers to connect them with the library's print and audiovisual collections. Home Library Service members receive individual profiling to provide a personalised selection of library materials and regular deliveries of fiction and non-fiction books, large print books, talking books, DVDs, CDs and magazines. Senior members and their carers will have their home library service facilitated by DoCare Home Library Service.

Self Select Service

The Self Select Service is for those library members who are able to visit our libraries but who have difficulties carrying their library materials home. Members can visit our libraries, select their own materials, check them out and deposit them with a library staff member for delivery to their home by a library volunteer. Regular delivery schedules will apply.

Eligibility

The Home Library Service is available to residents of the Borough of Queenscliffe, the City of Greater Geelong, Golden Plains Shire and the Surf Coast Shire who are -

  • Temporarily or permanently housebound due to age, illness, injury or disability and do not have family members to assist with the selection and delivery of library materials; or
  • Carers of a housebound person or persons who have no reasonable alternative to home delivery of library materials.
  • Senior members and their carers will have their home library service facilitated by DoCare Home Library Services.

Outreach Services

Van Service

The Community Library Service van visits communities in the Borough of Queenscliffe, the City of Greater Geelong, Golden Plains Shire and the Surf Coast Shire bringing a small browsing collection of books, CDs and DVDs, delivers library materials that members have requested and collects materials for return to our libraries.

Programs

The van service brings library programs to your community, such as storytime sessions, themed collections for armchair travel or specific collections in Languages Other Than English (LOTE). As the range of programs is extensive please contact the Community Library Services Coordinator with your enquiry to see if there is a program that meets your needs.

Bulk loans

Bulk loans of library materials are provided to aged care facilities, neighbourhood houses, community centres, clubs and other facilities. Bulk loan collections are customised to match the local needs and are updated on a regular basis.

Becoming a Community Library Service Volunteer

Community Library Service

The Community Library Service enables us to extend library services to community members who are unable to visit our libraries. Its Home Library Service is available to residents of the Borough of Queenscliffe, Golden Plains Shire, the City of Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast Shire who are housebound due to illness, injury and disability. It also provides services to the carers of housebound members.

Library volunteers are matched with suitable clients and take an interest in the reading needs of their clients and may be involved in the selection of suitable library materials as well as being committed to the regular delivery of reading materials to their clients. The time required is flexible and you may become involved for a little as 2-3 hours per month. 
 

Eligibility

The Geelong Regional Library Corporation accepts volunteers, at its discretion, who are enthusiastic and committed to its programs and goals. Volunteers must agree to work under the direction of the Community Library Services Coordinator and adhere to the Corporation’s regulations and policies.

To be eligible, volunteers must be over 18 years of age and willing to complete the required screening process which consists of a Proof of Identity Check, National Police Record Check* and a Working With Children  Check* for those who are delivering services to children. A letter from a GP indicating physical fitness to carry library materials and a reference from a person of good standing in the community are also required.
(* applicants who successfully pass their screening will be reimbursed for the full cost of these checks)

Volunteers are only engaged in tasks that, without their assistance, would not be undertaken or would not be
completed for a considerable period of time. Volunteers are not used as an alternative to paid employment or to displace paid staff.

Why consider volunteering?

Volunteers enable us to offer services that we would otherwise not be able to offer. Research shows that volunteering also benefits you too. As you give of your time, energy and skills you will –

  • Meet new people
  • Learn new skills
  • Support your community
  • Support your libraries
  • Make a difference in the lives of others

How to apply

If you are interested in joining us as a Community Library Service volunteer please complete an application form and return it to Cath Lukin, Community Library Service Coordinator.


Forms

How to join

To explore the options available to you, including the confirmation of your eligibility for the Outreach Library Service or how to become a library volunteer,
contact the Community Library Service Coordinator -
Cath Lukin
Community Library Services Coordinator
Geelong Regional Library Corporation
Mobile: 0427 300 107
Phone: (03) 5275 3100
Email: communitylib@grlc.vic.gov.au

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