Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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Library Design Developments Downunder

Janine Schmidt, Director Mukurta Solutions and Trenholme Director of Libraries Emerita, McGill University, Montreal

Canada

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

4Overview

• Trends in general• Australian trends• Reflections•Geelong Regional Library•Gold Coast Libraries

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

5Trends• Renovating, repurposing, adaptive re-use• Focus on user needs – community involvement and consultation• Adapting to economic realities• Expansion• Learning centres/commons/innovation incubators• Makerspaces, media laboratories, innovation laboratories, 3D printing, IT help• 24 hour access with downloadable content• Personal study spaces, group/informal gatherings, auditoriums, cafes• Interplay internal/external spaces• Light, vibrant colours• Partnerships/shared spaces• Sustainability• WOW factor

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

6International sharing of knowledge and experiences• IFLA. Library Buildings and

Equipment section. Other sections• ARUP. Future Libraries. Workshops

summary and emerging insights. 2015.

• 1001 libraries to see before you die. https://1001libraries.wordpress.com/

• Numerous websites e.g. https://1001libraries.wordpress.com/other-sites/

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

7Geelong Library and Heritage Centre

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• Geelong is 2nd city in Victoria

• Port• 75km from

Melbourne• Population 200,000

Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

8Geelong Regional Libraries Victoria, 5th in population served, loans and 2nd in visits Governed by local government council and funded by State and local governments as

well as self-generated funding 16 libraries and 2 mobile libraries (4 new libraries opened in past 3 years) Operational Budget $11m 148 staff (76 EFT) 450,000 collection items 108,000 library members 1.7m physical visits / 750,000 website visits 2.5m loans of collection items 263,000 loans of e-collections and growing 118,000 plus attendances to lifelong learning programmes

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

9Geelong Library and Heritage Centre

Replace 1959 building with significant cultural and learning institution in heart of city and CBD Iconic architecturally designed landmark Contribute to placemaking and urban socio-cultural regeneration Anchor for cultural precinct Major destination and attractor of visitors from within and outside the region A centre for discovery about Geelong and the Geelong Region Central library for CBD residents and workers - this will be their local Library

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

10Inspiration from dome shapes

• 7 irregularly shaped floor-slabs supported by columns that rise through the building

• ‘Dome’ constructed from hexagonal blocks of glass reinforced concrete (GRC) bolted to a steel lattice-work exo-skeleton

• 9 floors including a basement (called Lower Ground), a mezzanine level and a plant room at the top of the dome

• Vertical movement is by 2 lifts, including a large goods lift, and by stairs

• Vibrant colours with unique colour on each floorMarch 2016

Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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• 100,000+ collection items• 2km+ public records + local collections• 4.2km mobile shelving • Headquarters and central library for GRLC• 5 Star environmentally sustainable design

Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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• $45.5 million funding ($20m CoGG, $15m State, $10m Fed)

• Opened 20 November 2015• 130,000 visitors to date• 50 PCs including 6 touch-screen PCs for kids, 5

gaming machines + large video screen in youth space

• 30 staff

Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

20City of Gold Coast

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• 1 hour from Brisbane• 527,828 residents• 70 km beaches• 260 km waterways• 287 days sunshine

(usually)• 2,245 parks

Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

21Gold Coast City Libraries

• More than 8,500 real visits daily• Almost 3,000 virtual visitors daily• Klout score 56: Monday• 13 branch libraries, 2 mobile• Local Studies, Special Needs,

Corporate Libraries• Collection Services• Small administrative nerve

centre

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

22Gold Coast City Libraries

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Since 2000, 2 new mobile libraries, 9 new libraries, and refurbished others

Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

23Technology

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

24Colour

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

25Fit with environment

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

26Flexible use of space, mobile desks, seating and shelving

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

27Functional staff and work areas

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28Art work

March 2016Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

29Communication, signage and marketing

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

30Self-service and automated return

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

31Sustainability

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

32Partnerships and Sharing

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

33Other Downunder Developments

• Libraries firmly fixed in community• Extensive consultation with users • Detailed briefs• Emphasis on collaboration between

architect/interior designer/librarian/design team

• Data collection to support case for support

• User-based design – library user journeys – library as experience

• Welcoming, engaging, iconic, connecting people, place, knowledge

• Linking real and virtual – website is virtual front door

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

34Acknowledgements

• Patti Manolis, CEO Geelong Regional Libraries• Alan Howell, Manager, Geelong Library & Heritage Centre• Photographs and details provided by Alan Howell and sourced from

Geelong Advertiser “Sneak peek inside library”• Further details: Geelong Library and Heritage Centre (

http://www.grlc.vic.gov.au/glhc http://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/glhc/default.aspx)

• Marian Morgan-Bindon, City Librarian, Gold Coast City Libraries• Further details: https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library/default.html • Colleagues everywhere• Contact me: janine@mukurta.com

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Maynooth University Library and IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section. Key issues for library space: international perspectives

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March 2016

Go raibh maith agat. May you have goodness.