Our meeting on 2nd September 2020 Rotary Alexandra was graced with a wonderful presentation by Libby Kotschet the Coordinator of the Murrindindi Library Service.

As is our custom we began by toasting a Rotary Club from another country. This broadens our knowledge of clubs around the world. Meg chose the Rotary Club of Kilkenny as Kilkenny was her ancestral home. This is the largest Rotary Club in Ireland and has face to face meetings wearing protective masks and social distancing. They run a “Bikes for Africa” project which provides bicycles helping rural children in Gambia to reach schools.

 

Libby then spoke about the Book Butler Program, a contactless delivery service available to all residents in the Shire. Despite Covid, the library service continues behind closed doors, but without access to resources from other libraries. In April, 2013 items were delivered to 400 homes. In August 3451 items were delivered to approx 300 homes. Initially deliveries were made by library staff, but Working for Victoria staff have taken over this task.

How does it work? People phone in to the library (5772 0333), let staff know what their interests are and a bag of relevant items are delivered. Many of the clients are repeat customers. Feedback comments include: ‘so grateful to have this service included in our rates’ and ‘a great big thankyou for taking books to my brother’.

Borrow Box is another option for access to e-books and audio books. Access is via a library membership card. Libby (not our speaker) is an app which allows access to the electronic resources of YPRL and Murrindindi libraries.

 

President Helen thanked Libby for her presentation and the library service for continuing to support our local community throughout the Covid-19 lockdowns.