Our latest investment in future-ready community facilities is getting underway in March 2021 with the development of the Bentleigh Library and Youth Hub.

Bentleigh Library will be transformed into a new community centre that integrates Council’s Youth Services and will provide new multipurpose spaces that can be adapted to deliver a range of programs and events for young people, adults, and families through to senior citizens.

The Victorian Government, through their Community Infrastructure Loans Scheme, has provided Council with a $5 million loan to assist with the $6.2 million project cost. The Government Scheme supports the delivery of community infrastructure by providing councils with access to low-interest subsidised loans.

The new Bentleigh Library and Youth Hub will feature:

• flexible programming spaces
• independent study areas
• expanded area to browse book collections
• a pedestrian plaza and play space at the entrance to the building
• support services and programs for youth
• a teen lounge
• a light-filled courtyard
• improved amenities
• a ‘Changing Places’ facility for people with disabilities and their carers to use
• children's reading nooks
• a fully equipped training room
• a recording and editing suite.

The construction will take approximately 18 months to complete.  Bentleigh Library will close on Sunday 7 March 2021 to relocate services during construction.

McKinnon Library and Youth Services

From Monday 29 March 2021, the community can access library and youth services at our temporary location at 169A McKinnon Road, McKinnon (next to McKinnon Station). Library services will be unavailable for three weeks while we make the move from Bentleigh to McKinnon.

At the McKinnon Library and Youth Services, library users will be able to browse and borrow their favourites from a large fiction collection, a variety of children’s books, the latest DVDs and popular magazines. With modern lounge and study spaces, free access to PCs, and workshops and programs, it will be a great local destination. If you can’t find what you need, books will be brought to you from our other branches or you can visit Carnegie, Caulfield and Elsternwick libraries.

Council's Youth Services will also be located at this facility, providing access to programs, information, referrals, one-to-one support with youth workers and youth leadership training for young people aged 10 to 25 years.

For more information regarding the services offered at McKinnon, contact us on 9524 3333.

If you would like to know more about the construction of the Bentleigh Library and Youth Hub email projects@gleneira.vic.gov.au

A link to the plans for the development can be found below.