Casey Cardinia Libraries

Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation provides a network of public library services through various service points in Melbourne’s south-eastern metropolitan growth corridor.

The City of Casey covers 395 km² and is Victoria’s largest and fastest growing municipality and Cardinia Shire spreads over 1,283 km². With a combined population of 264,932 (ABS Estimated residential June 2004) consistent population growth is a feature of our market, increasing 4.63% across the region over the year and predicted to double within the next 20 years.

Libraries are located at Cranbourne, Doveton, Emerald, Endeavour Hills, Hampton Park, Narre Warren and Pakenham, with the Cardinia Mobile Library providing weekly service to Beaconsfield, Bunyip, Cockatoo, Garfield, Gembrook, Koo Wee Rup, Lang Lang, Maryknoll, Tynong and Upper Beaconsfield.

History

Casey Cardinia Library Corporation was formed on 1 October 1996. It was previously part of the Dandenong Valley Regional Library Service which was disbanded following Council amalgamations in 1995. The City of Greater Dandenong took over operations of the Dandenong and Springvale branches and CCLC continued to operate the remaining branches from its new Headquarters in Cranbourne.

Branches

Cranbourne Library

Cranbourne Shire Library began providing library services from the former Engineer's offices in Sladen street in 1978. The formation of CCLC in 1996 led to the establishment of 'Headquarters' and the relocation of Cranbourne branch to part of the former Ford Factory in Berwick Cranbourne Road. The library was renovated and extended in 2002.

Doveton Library

After a couple of earlier incarnations, the Shire of Berwick rented the Presbyterian Church Hall as library premises in 1969. It moved to 148 Kidd Road where it became the 2nd branch (after Springvale) of the DVRLS in 1973. The council then purchased a Service station in Autumn Place next to the shopping centre and, after extensive renovations, opened the current Doveton library there in 1983. The library was renovated and extended in 2008.

Emerald Library

The $2.2 million Emerald Library opened in July 2006 to become the 7th branch of CCLC.

Endeavour Hills Library

Rapid population growth in Endeavour Hills in the early 1980s resulted in the construction of a permanent library to replace the mobile service. The building was officially opened in Raymond McMahon Boulevard on 31 May 1987. A 2007 renovation and extension has significantly increased the size of the library.

Hampton Park Library

Hampton Park Library opened in January 2004. Since then patronage has increased by between 120-150 new members each month, resulting in approx 11,000 members in late 2008. A application to extend the Library through a Living Libraries Grant was successful. The official opening of the Hampton Park library extension (of 270 m2) and new Youth Centre took place on 30/10/10.

Narre Warren Library

Narre Warren library in Malcolm Court, Narre Warren began operations in 1978. In 1992, it moved into premises at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre adjacent to the City of Berwick offices. At 1350 square metres, it is the largest of the CCLC libraries.

Pakenham Library

Pakenham Library began providing library services in Pakenham from portable buildings in 1979. The building was located at the corner of John Street and Drake street (on the site now occupied by the Fruit and Vegetable market). The first permanent building (also in John street, opposite the Fire Station) opened in 1991 and closed in 2009. A new $mil 7.5 complex housing a library, hall and U3A was officially opened at the corner of John and Henry streets on Friday 15 July 2011.

Cardinia Mobile Library

Dandenong Valley Regional Library Service first introduced a Bookmobile service to the Pakenham area in 1973. The current vehicle has been in service since 1999. It underwent a refurbishment in April 2010 that included painting, recarpeting, a new desk and air conditioning/heating units as well as relocation of the disability hoist to the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle carries over 13000 items and makes weekly visits to ten towns in Cardinia.