The new model would work on a swipe entry during non-staffed hours, where members are given an access key/card to be able to enter and exit the building.

MidCoast Council has been investigating how to tailor the integral Harrington Library to best suit the community's needs.

After assessing overall usage and borrowing rates council decided to provide residents with an opportunity to have extended access, giving more people the chance to use the library at times that suit them.

"This is about allowing our Harrington library members to choose when they use the facility, rather than them having to fit in with certain times that often just don't work for everyone," explained Chris Jones, manager of MidCoast Council Libraries.

"Based on loan and visitation statistics, Harrington is underutilised in the current opening hours, so we're hoping that if we take this opportunity to provide greater access for the community, these figures will lift and this fantastic community facility will be able to be enjoyed by more people."

Foster Library, in Victoria's Gippsland region, changed their facility to an extended community access site in November last year and the feedback from the community, as well as the increase in library members, has been hugely positive.

"We saw this as a real chance to increase patronage of the Harrington Library, which has always been much lower than we'd expect compared to our other branches. This will be a 12 month pilot program," explained Chris.

"It has to be the right fit for the community and definitely, for a place like Harrington, I believe it will work beautifully. Harrington would be the first library in NSW to have this model for access."

Council is seeking community feedback on the access proposal and also the overall use of the library facility.

"We want the community to tell us how they'd like to use that space, what we could do to make better use of it, other things they'd like to see there, times they'd like the librarian to be available and more," added Chris.

Throughout the 12 month trial community members will be able to provide feedback through a survey as well as the community reference group, with all information collated and considered in the adjustments to the community access model.

"We see so much potential with this model for Harrington," added Chris.

"From extended accessibility, including summer holidays, to additional involvement from the community and even new ways of using the facility - there's a lot of great things to come of this."

Community members who would like to have their say can do so by attending one of the upcoming information sessions being hosted by council, including four child-friendly (CF) events.

These sessions are a chance for the community to learn more, ask questions and highlight any concerns or opportunities that could be considered in the new model.

Dates and times for these consultations are:

Due to COVID-19, there is a limit of 10 people per session, with bookings essential.

These sessions aren't the only way to have a say though, there will be a have your say page on council's website, with some more detailed information along with a survey. The library will also have hard copies of this survey available.

Council is also looking to establish a community reference group for the project.

"It's important to us that this process be open, transparent and collaborative," said Chris.

"We want the community to really own this and tell us exactly what they think, share their ideas and help create the library they envision."

For further information and to provide feedback on this new access model for the library, head to www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/harringtonlibrary