On Tuesday morning Dingee’s new “bricks and mortor” service was opened to the public.

It will be followed by openings in Wedderburn, Boort, Tarnagulla, Inglewood, Axedale and Elmore from today through until Monday.

Goldfields Libraries has partnered with local volunteers to run agencies. Dingee’s Country Women’s Association branch.

Branch secretary Dianna Linton said Dingee’s agency launch had been a busy affair, with food and drink served and a number of new members signed up.

“Quite a lot of people borrowed books. Lots of people were borrowing DVDs as well,” she said.

“It’s been great that we have been able to retain library services that were in Dingee and surrounding areas.”

“And we are able to expand on that service as well. We can provide extra hours that weren’t available when the bus came through.”

Goldfields Libraries’ Mark Hands said the organisation would open agencies with little fanfare initially, hoping to ensure systems were working and volunteers and staff had a chance to bed down operations.

“We will have some celebrations over the coming weeks and more details will be announced. Most importantly, we are now working with these communities for the long term and will build the agencies from this point,” he said.

The library agencies have not enjoyed a completely bump-free road, with residents in Inglewood, Axedale and Elmore previously telling the Bendigo Advertiser they were concerned the change could erode service in regional areas.

That is something Goldfields Libraries denied would happen, promising a more extensive service, including a high rotation of books and more flexible hours.

The Wedderburn Community Centre (9am-5pm, Wednesday 8 February)

Boort Resource and Information Centre (10am-3.30pm, Thursday 9 February)

Tarnagulla Community Centre (1pm-4pm, Thursday 9 February)

Axedale Public Hall (2pm-4.30pm, Friday 10 February)

Elmore Athenaeum Hall (10am-12pm Friday 10 February)

Inglewood Community Neighbourhood House (9am-4.30pm Monday 13 February