Council is currently looking at the option of turning the facility into the first 'community access library' in the State.

"Based on loan and visitation statistics, Harrington is underutilised in the current opening hours," MidCoast Council Libraries manager Chris Jones said.

"To support the community to be able to access their library when it suits them, we are looking at an extended access approach that has been implemented in a regional Victorian library and is working really well for that community."

Foster Library, in Victoria's Gippsland region, changed its facility to an extended community access site, via a swipe card during non-staffed hours, in November last year and the feedback from the community, as well as the increase in library members, has been very positive.

"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," Chris said.

"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.

"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," Chris said.

Council is proposing a 12 month trial period where community members can provide feedback at any stage of the year with a community reference group to be established to assist with the decision making.

There will be 10 information sessions hosted across September 15 and 16, and September 22 and 23, with four child-friendly sessions included, but bookings are essential.

More information, a survey and session bookings are available on council's website www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/HYS

"We want the community to share their ideas and help create the library they envision for their community."

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