Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre
Photo of front
– community learning hub
Overview and FAQs Fully Integrated Community Centre/Neighbourhood House
– Commitment to lifelong community learning underpins philosophy Space? - 1397sq m over two floors with optimum disabled
access Collection size? - Only 20% larger - 27k but much larger
emphasis on electronic access Opening hours?
– Shopping centre hours 9am – 8pm most weekdays, and open both Sat and Sun
How many staff ? - EFT 5.5 Library + Community Centre staff Cost?
– $4.2 million + $250,000 for materials Technology?
– RFID technology, zoned security, multimedia, IT training room, video surveillance, multi-channel advertising
Design Brief
Community’s shared
“living room”
Reflect local community needsFamily LearningCulturally diverseAn identified need to improve educational opportunities
Design Brief
Best practice disability and family access principles adopted
Design Brief
• Green principles adopted throughoutUse of natural lightReduced energy consumption
Innovative use of Technology to enhance access and service delivery
Design BriefConcept of the “ant
farm” –sense of being outside and looking in - What’s happening in there? Can I come in? – encouraging – welcoming!
Come on in………..?
Marketing to the suburbs………………...the polish of David Jones just didn’t quite fit!
• Vibrant, Colourful, Comfortable, Welcoming• Supermarket of choices - learning and leisure• Community hub• Staff
– Flexible, welcoming and from a wide variety of backgrounds
Have they come?Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre
March – June 2005
March – June 2006 % Inc
Customer Numbers 24588 71,244 289%
Loans 44,950 93,423 208%
New borrowers
287 1,261 439%
Internet access hours
1,341 5,002 373%
Program Sessions
40 163 401%
The Library's VisionThe Learning Centre will:Consolidate support for education and
lifelong learning and focus on literacySupport the Council’s vision of enhanced
learning, communication and participation Raise awareness of opportunities for
lifelong learning through promotion
Branding
• Theme – learn and grow wings
• Use of colour– Externally– Internally
• Signage – Clear, simple, – portable
• Multiscreen promotion
A great beginning….
The Launch! and a Week of free festivity
• Opportunities for recreation, fun and enjoyment as well as access to information, education and social services
Working in Partnership - to provide
services for all in the community
LibraryCommunity Centres
Elderly
Housebound
Local Business
Clubs
People with special requirements
People who are physically and mentally disadvantaged
New settlers for whom English is a second language
People of different cultures
Local interest groups
Give and take
• African Women of the West
• Pacific Island Homework Group
• Altona Meadows Lions Club
• Altona Rotary
• Women’s referral centre
Gallery
• Cocoon Exhibition
• Victoria University map display
• Local artist
• Working in harmony - schools
A Learning Centre What has worked well for the community -
Vision of a seamless approach Creation of safe, comfortable and welcoming environment – formal
and informal community spaces Location in an activity node –the local busy shopping centre Use of natural light and colour Use of RFID – more than 200% increased capacity with just over double the staff The number and variety of programs offered Improved profile of library services within
community and Council
What we could have done better..
Signed agreements on vision and marketing,