The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale has launched its Library Plan 2026–2031, setting a clear vision for the future of library services as the community continues to experience significant growth.
With the Shire’s population forecast to exceed 95,000 residents by 2046, the Plan outlines how the Library Service will continue to evolve to meet changing community needs while strengthening its role as a welcoming hub for learning, creativity, digital access and social connection.
Since relocating from Mundijong to Byford in 2023, the SJ Library Service has experienced strong growth in community engagement. More residents are visiting the library and Mobile Library Van, borrowing resources, participating in programs and making use of the library’s facilities. During 2024/25, the Library Service recorded more than 51,900 visits, 4,522 active members, over 94,500 borrowed resources, 376 programs and events, more than 4,500 program participants and 1,198 venue bookings.
The Plan has been shaped by extensive community consultation, with residents identifying the need for larger and more flexible library spaces, improved accessibility, expanded collections and a wider range of programs for children, young people and adults. Community feedback also highlighted opportunities to deliver more activities outside traditional weekday hours, activate spaces beyond the library building, strengthen partnerships with schools and local organisations, and improve access to services across the Shire’s large geographic area.
Responding to this feedback, the Library Plan focuses on four strategic priorities: Places and Spaces, Community Engagement, Programs and Events, and Collections.
Over the next five years, the Shire will explore improvements to library facilities and services, including reviewing the current library layout, expanding access to technology, assessing the Mobile Library Van schedule, investigating satellite library locations in growing and underserved areas, and progressing research into a future purpose-built Byford Library.
The Plan also places a strong emphasis on building partnerships with schools, kindergartens, playgroups, home education networks, community groups and local organisations. A new Library Marketing Strategy will help raise awareness of library services and programs, while future opportunities such as volunteer programs and a dedicated SJ Library App will also be explored.
Programming will continue to expand to meet the interests of a diverse and growing community. This includes enhancing children’s activities, increasing outreach programs with schools and community groups, reviewing weekend programming, developing more targeted adult learning opportunities and incorporating greater use of technology through Makerspace-style activities.
The Library’s collections will also continue to grow and evolve, with improvements planned for physical, digital and community history collections. The Plan outlines actions to strengthen collection development, improve access to local history resources, promote digital collections and investigate new lending collections such as toys and equipment.
The Plan also benchmarks the Shire’s Library Service against national public library standards, identifying areas where additional investment will be needed as the community continues to grow. Planned initiatives include ongoing operational funding, the creation of a new Librarian position in 2026/27, increased investment in library programming and community history, and future growth in Library Technician support.
Progress will be monitored through the Shire’s Corporate Business Plan reporting process, ensuring the community can track the implementation of the Plan over the next five years.
