In 2007 a joint use school community library became a pioneer in the library profession, being one of the few joint-use libraries to disband in South Australia, with the local council deciding to develop a sole public library service. The project timeframe was less than six months; it involved closing the community and creating a new public library (in a state heritage listed building). The decision was due to accessibility and OHSW issues for staff and patrons at the school site, and the population growth and increased demand for library programs within the council area.

This was a groundbreaking development and one quite significant to the public library sector. These exciting changes posed many challenges, several were unique to disbanding a joint-use library, and unfortunately minimal information was available in SA or interstate as this process was uncommon.

This paper will discuss the model of change for the creation of the new council run public library and disbandment of the joint use library with a focus on the progression of library services and their resulting benefits and impact to the community. The additional opportunities that the library has been presented with, that were not previously possible, or able to be considered whilst a joint-use library and the affect that the library’s creation has had in developing the skills and knowledge of library/council staff will be outlined. To conclude, the highlights of the library’s successes and experiences that have occurred in the library’s first year of operation will be presented.