Frankston Library express – Victoria’s first railside book lending service organised by a Local Government – will run for the rest of this financial year. Launched in February as a pilot program, Frankston Library express has allowed rail commuters travelling from Frankston Station to browse through and borrow from 300 popular current fiction and non fiction titles.
The pilot program funded by a Beyond the Branches State Government grant and local priority funding was to run until 30 June 2004. Within two weeks, it attracted 53 new library members and 103 loans. After four months of operation, the service had enrolled more than 100 new library members and had more than 1,250 loans. It was even named a finalist in the service category of the 2004 Frankston Mornington Small Business Awards.
Library Collection Services Coordinator, Kim Kearsey, is proud to continue offering such a service to the community.
Frankston Library express will operate Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6.30 am to 8.30 am, from a booth on the platform and the service may be extended to five days a week.
Councillor Cathy Wilson, who helped secure $10,000 to continue the service, said it would have been very disappointing to lose Frankston Library express.
“It is the only service of its kind operating in Victoria, and represented months of hard work, planning and innovation,” she said. “Frankston Library express goes beyond the branch and delivers the library to members of the community who may not otherwise be able to visit a library during normal operating hours.” Councillor Wilson said a survey conducted at the end of June revealed commuter awareness of the service of 62 per cent.
“Frankston Library express is a vibrant presence and is enhancing the railway station environment in the early hours,” she said.
For more details contact Library Collection Services Coordinator, Kim Kearsey, on (03) 9784 1888.
