Development Strategy
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PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDINGS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY Adopted September 2009 WWW.GEELONGAUSTRALIA.COM.AU 2 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................... 3 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................ 6 BACKGROUND.............................................................................................. 7 POLICY CONTEXT......................................................................................... 8 LIBRARIES CHANGING FOCUS.................................................................. 10 LIBRARY DESIGN PRINCIPLES & GUIDELINES FOR GEELONG PUBLIC LIBRARIES................................ 13 GEELONG LIBRARY BUILDINGS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY............. 18 AUSTRALIAN AND INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICE LIBRARY BUILDINGS................................................... 35 CONTENTS REFERENCES AND PHOTO CREDITS...................................................... 48 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Extensive research demonstrates that public For many communities the local library is libraries make a vital contribution to social, the most important civic building in their cultural, economic and educational development neighbourhood. The design and construction of communities. This contribution can be of a new library is often seen to be the most summarized in four key areas. significant piece of civic investment that a Local Government body can make. This level of Creating informed communities through importance places a high degree of expectation the provision of access to local and global on the final outcome in terms of both the library information sources service and the built structure. Providing free and universal access to information technology infrastructure, computer The experience in Australia and internationally literacy and technology resources has proven that well planned and designed Providing opportunities for lifelong learning libraries attract increased usage and provide a through resources to support self directed range of significant community wellbeing and learning and programmed information & reading livability outcomes. Underpinning the strategy literacy activities principles is a commitment to best practice and Building social capital by providing to utilising the best available expertise to deliver welcoming, neutral, community space that is each stage of all future library developments open to all members of the community from including library staff, library space planners, all walks of life and by connecting individuals, architects, interior designers, accessibility groups and government. consultants and building firms. The public library’s role, in facilitating the free The following principles and guidelines will flow of information, the exchange of ideas and shape future Geelong public library building information, is fundamental to democracy. developments: Even in this technological age public libraries are more relevant, needed and valued by their Principle 1 communities than ever before. Geelong Libraries will be planned and delivered utilising People Places guidelines and planning Council has recognised the need to review the toolkit. existing service delivery model, current facilities and develop principles and guidelines for the Principle 2 redevelopment of existing stock and new libraries Geelong Libraries will meet People Places in future growth areas. The Building Strategy building area standards. objectives are to: Principle 3 Improve the library network capacity to Geelong Libraries will be tailored to local service the City of Greater Geelong by tailoring community need. future library developments to meet current and future community needs Principle 4 Plan for new optimally designed libraries that Geelong Libraries will be designed as important can meet a range of purposes for the long term Civic spaces and places. Address the City’s growth areas and create welcoming and purpose designed libraries for Principle 5 lifelong learning, reading, cultural and leisure Geelong Libraries will provide “Whole of activities community” and universal service. Maximise efficiency and effectiveness of existing facilities Principle 6 Establish review timeframes for planning Geelong Libraries will be Future-Proof designed purposes for both existing and proposed library including Environmentally Sustainable Design facilities. (ESD). Rapid social, economic and technological change Principle 7 is shaping the way we live, work and play. New Libraries in Geelong will be developed in This change is driving the redevelopment of partnership and/or located with other services. public libraries. By responding intelligently and flexibly to change, Geelong’s libraries will be Principle 8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY better positioned to support and connect their Geelong Libraries will be primary access points communities. for Smart Technology. 4 The previous library service infrastructure model Drysdale Library was inherited as part of the Local Government Investigate the integration of the Council amalgamations of the mid 1990’s. The forward Customer Service Centre and library services. infrastructure model will be based on the Redesign the large desk area to provide development of a cascading hierarchy beginning smaller enquiry pod/s to provide increased public with a new Geelong City Library and Heritage floor space. Centre providing central library and heritage Tailor the collection to meet the needs of the services to the wider region, 5 sub-regional community based on usage. libraries, 8 branch libraries, community libraries Investigate the development of a new & service models specifically tailored for rural community hub to provide sub-regional level and isolated communities and e-services. library services for the future. Timeframe: Medium-term (5-10 years). The Planning and Review Schedule recommendations for existing libraries are as Geelong Library follows: The Geelong Central Library and Heritage Centre be redeveloped as part of the Cultural Barwon Heads Library Precinct project on its current site with planned A review of services, usage and suitability of construction in Stage One of the project. current arrangements is required to determine The facility should include an Integrated future strategies for the provision of library Library and Heritage Centre and floor area of at services to this community. Given current least 7,000m2. innovations in the library industry there may Timeframe: Short-term (0-5years). be more cost effective ways to deliver library services that offer improved access. Geelong West Library Identify partnership opportunities to deliver to Monitor usage trends and ensure the services Barwon Heads residents in alternative ways. and facility are tailored to meet local community Identify alternative models of service delivery needs, especially once the new Geelong Central and determine cost efficiencies against existing Library is established. model. A review of the facility and services would be Timeframe: Medium-term (5-10 years). required in 15+ years. Belmont Library Grovedale Library Planning for refurbishment to be undertaken Provide a new library for Grovedale and in the short term with a view to integrating the Waurn Ponds communities adjacent to Council Customer Service Centre within the Leisurelink facility. library. Timeframe: Short-term (0-5 years). Increase space for public access Internet provision. Highton Library Expand footprint of library to accommodate Investigate opportunities to redevelop expand meeting room and tailored zones. the library. Timeframe: Short term (0-5 years) Timeframe: Medium-term (5-10 years). Chilwell Library Newcomb Library Investigate feasibility of co-location with the Monitor usage trends and ensure the services Maternal Child Health Centre. and facility are tailored to meet local community Timeframe: Medium-term (5-10 years) needs, especially once the new Geelong Central Library is established. Corio Library A review of the facility and services would The Corio library is a sub-regional branch required in 15+ years. supporting mobile libraries and the new Lara Library. Timeframe: A review of the facility will be required in 15+years. 5 Ocean Grove Library Vines Road, Hamlyn Heights Investigate opportunities to expand the library That the current mobile library service to space and develop as a sub-regional library Vines Road be replaced with community access either within the existing facility or in alternative to the Western Heights Secondary College School leased or Council owned premises. Library. Timeframe: Long-term (10-15 years). Timeframe: Short term (0-5 years). The Planning and Review Schedule Waurn Ponds recommendations for new library infrastructure That a new library of 975m2 be constructed are as follows: as part of the Waurn Ponds Recreation and Community Hub. Armstrong Creek That detailed design for the Waurn Ponds That planning commence for a sub-regional Library to replace current Grovedale Library be level library to be located in the Major Activity commenced in the 2008/09 year. Centre. Timeframe: Short term (0-5 years). That a new library is constructed in 3 stages, expanding with each major growth period. The building strategy will guide the development That in the first stage a library of at least of future library buildings and refurbishments 1200m2 be considered with a view to expanding of existing libraries over the next 15 years. to 3,000m2. Adoption of the strategy does not guarantee Timeframe: Long term (10-15