From 1 July, our Colac Otway Shire members can look forward to enjoying a range of new benefits as members of Geelong Regional Libraries. These include:

Improved in branch facilities at Colac and Apollo Bay Libraries: 

• Brand new public access PCs
• Faster WIFI in branches
• New and improved self-checkout kiosks

Plus other library services to enjoy:

• A much larger collection of physical items, like books, DVDs and magazines
• Access to a huge range of eCollection resources
• Access to a great program of library events held across our network (including at Colac and Apollo Bay branches)
• A convenient library app
• A great library website and online catalogue
• Monthly eNewsletter, an active social media community and regular communications from us so you can stay in touch with what’s happening at the library.

We look forward to helping you explore all that's on offer as a member of the GRLC!

Currently a Corangamite Regional Library Corporation (CRLC) member?
If you reside in the Colac Otway Shire and you are an active member of the CRLC, your membership will automatically be transferred to Geelong Regional Library Corporation (GRLC) from 1 July. To enjoy access to the full GRLC collection and service, you will need to come into the Colac or Apollo Bay branch from 1 July to collect your new library card and welcome pack, and set a new PIN.

Please note, if you’re unable to make it into a branch initially, and you have an email address associated with your account, it will be possible to set up a new PIN via our web catalogue, see the section “Setting up a new PIN” FAQ below for more detail.

Not currently a library member? 
Now is a great time to join the library! Find out more about membership of the GRLC on our website here, or pop into Colac or Apollo Bay Library (or any of our other branches) with some photo ID to join up on the spot.

Already a member of Geelong Regional Libraries?
You don’t need to do anything! However, from 1 July you can pick up holds, borrow collection items and access other services from Colac Library and Apollo Bay Library using your GRLC library card.

To ensure that we are ready to welcome our new Colac Otway Shire members on 1 July, the Colac and Apollo Bay Libraries will be closed from 28 to 30 June, inclusive.

Between 24 and 30 June, Colac Otway Shire library members will be unable to access their library account online, while we migrate information from the Corangamite Regional Library Corporation system across to our own. You may also be unable to access the eLibrary via the Corangamite Regional Library Corporation website, or log into PCs in branches.

We do apologise for any inconvenience this may cause –  but we promise it will be worth it! Thank you for your understanding.

From 1 July 2021, operation of outreach (mobile library) services in the Colac Otway Shire will transition from Corangamite Regional Library Corporation to Geelong Regional Library Corporation. 

Please be aware of the following important information about service changes:

• Outreach services will operate on a normal schedule until Wednesday 23 June.
• The last day for borrowing at Lismore and Skipton stops will be Friday 11 June. Collection items can be returned at these stops on Friday 25 June.
• The last day for borrowing and returning items at Nullaware and Peterborough stops will be Friday 18 June.
• The outreach vehicle will be off the road from 28-30 June (inclusive).
• A normal schedule will resume for all stops in Colac Otway Shire from Thursday 1 July - look out for the new-look van!

Please note: Corangamite Regional Library Corporation is investigating options for outreach services to Moyne and Corangamite areas after 1 July and will share more information with library members once available.

From 1 July, it will be necessary for our new members to set a new PIN, as your PIN number will not be brought across to the GRLC system. If you have an email address associated with your account it will be possible to use the “Forgot my PIN” feature on the GRLC catalogue on our website which enables you to access a PIN reset form.

Alternatively, you can set up a new PIN (and pick up your new library card) when you visit a library branch after 1 July. Please speak with a friendly member of staff who would be happy to assist!

Colac Otway Shire residents transitioning to a library membership with the GRLC can expect a few changes in how we communicate with you about notices (such as notification that holds are available to collect, or that you have an overdue item).

The following tables demonstrates the difference between Corangamite Regional Library Corporation communication methods, and GRLC methods that you will expect from 1 July.
Of course, if you have any questions about this, please speak with a member of staff.

Corangamite Regional Library Corporation notice communication methods:

Geelong Regional Library Corporation notice communication methods:

To welcome to our new Colac Otway Shire members, all existing library fines connected to your account will be waived from 1 July 2021, so you can start at the GRLC with a clean slate. If you’ve been avoiding the library because of overdue items, now’s the time to get back to borrowing/visiting. We look forward to seeing you at the library!

Colac Otway Shire residents transitioning to a library membership with the GRLC can expect a few changes in relation to library fines and charges, as we bring our new members in line with our current process. Please visit this page on our website for information about our fines and charges, which will be effective for our Colac Otway Shire members from 1 July.

As a GRLC library member you have access to a huge range of digital resources and eColections, which you can access by logging in using your GRLC library membership details.

If you currently access the eLibrary through Corangamite Regional Library Corporation, please be aware that any digital items (such as eBooks or eAudiobooks) you currently have checked out, and information about your loan history, will not be available through your new GRLC membership. You will need to re-register for eLibrary accounts (such as BorrowBox, Libby and pressreader) using your new GRLC membership.

We won’t leave you guessing –  a member of staff can assist you to navigate this change and get your accounts set up. You can also find Help Guides for our most popular eResources on the website here.

GRLC runs a huge program of library events and programs throughout the year across all our library branches, which you can access as a library member. Events and programs (including Story Time) will continue to be held at Colac and Apollo Bay branches, but the booking system will be a little different.

You can use the GRLC website to search and filter for library events and programs that interest you and make a booking. From the website you can also create, download and print customised event calendars!

Visit https://events.grlc.vic.gov.au/events to explore all library events and programs, and use the calendar or ‘filter by’ buttons to narrow your search by date, location, event type or age group.

A staff member will be happy to help you find or book into an event.

Also look out for the What’s On at the Library highlights brochure – in branch and online every two months.

From 1 July, GRLC will have a network of 19 library branches and three mobile libraries. Visit our website here to view location and contact details and to see a list of services available at each branch.

Visit our website here to browse the GRLC catalogue online. Login to your library account to place a hold on items or renew items. Please speak with a staff member if you need any help with the online catalogue.

You can renew or place a hold on collection items by logging into your account online, using the library app or in-person in branch.

New and improved self-checkout kiosks will be installed at Colac and Apollo Bay Libraries and available from 1 July. Our staff will be happy to walk you through the new kiosk experience when you come into the branch.

New members will notice some changes to borrowing guidelines and loan periods at the GRLC. Struggling to get through War and Peace before the book is due back to the library? The good news is that loan periods are a little longer at the GRLC. Please view further information on our website here.

Unfortunately at present we are unable to offer the Family Groups feature on the library system in use at GRLC. A similar feature is being planned for our members in the future and we’ll let our members know once this feature becomes available.

Unfortunately at present we are unable to offer the Username feature on the library system in use at GRLC. A similar feature is being planned for our members in the future and we’ll let our members know once this feature becomes available.

From 1 July, collection items which display a GRLC sticker will be part of the GRLC collection, and should be returned to Colac, Apollo Bay, or one of the other libraries in our network. Collection items can also be returned to the Mobile Library at a stop within the Colac Otway Shire.

If you have an outstanding collection item which is labelled with a Corangamite Regional Library Corporation sticker, you can still return this to your usual branch initially. However, in the future you will not be able to borrow or return Corangamite Regional Library Corporation collection items to libraries within Colac Otway Shire.

Be the first to know about upcoming events and get all the news from the library by signing up to our eNewsletter – delivered to your inbox at the end of each month. Sign up for the eNewsletter here (you can unsubscribe at any time).

Another great way to keep in touch with news from the library, and be part of our great online community, is to follow us on socials:

Facebook - @geelongregionallibraries

Instagram - @geelonglibraries

LinkedIn - @geelongregionallibrarycorporation

Twitter - @geelonglibrary

We also publish important news on our website at www.grlc.vic.gov.au/news

Colac Otway Shire (COS) has been investigating options for the future provision of library services to its communities.

To ensure the maintenance of quality library services to its residents, COS resolved to shift management of its libraries to the GRLC. This decision followed the completion of a thorough Library Services Review (undertaken by I & J Management Services) and a community engagement process. You can read the Library Service Review findings on the COS website here.

After COS resolved to join the GRLC in June 2020, the existing member Councils of the GRLC – the City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Golden Plains Shire and Borough of Queenscliffe – unanimously endorsed Colac Otway Shire joining the GRLC.

We’d love to hear from you! Fill out a feedback form in branch, or email us at info@grlc.vic.gov.au.