Newport Library consultation session summary

On Wednesday, 2nd April the Council held a consultation session with the community to consider the service options for the new Newport Library. The sessionwas attended by ward Councillors Angela Altair and Paul Morgan and chaired by Councillor Peter Hemphill.

The Council sought the community’s views to better understand its priorities and ensure these are taken into account in the detailed design recommended to the Council.

Several options were presented to the community to stimulate the discussion and community members were provided with an opportunity to view the plans, ask questions about various aspects of the library and the overall facility, and provide feedback about service priorities.

Approximately 35 people attended the session and Council staff noted key issues. Below is a summary of the key components of the information session.

Project overview

Timelines

Key project milestones were outlined as below:

Relocation of the existing tenants 2nd May 2014

Finalise detailed design report9th June 2014

Commence demolition of existing buildingsJuly 2014

Call construction tenderJuly 2014

Confirm construction tenderOctober 2014

Construction commencement November 2014

Construction completionAugust 2016

Relocation of tenants and servicesSeptember 2016

Service options

All threeoptions presented to the community take into consideration the Disability Discrimination Act requirements and Occupational Health and Safety regulations - including minimum widths of 1.2m between shelves and a maximum height of 1600mm for shelving.

The options also include essentialsincluding: PCs; WiFi; print/copy/scan facilities; book return; staff to assist with enquiries; library storage area and a 24/7 reserve pick up area.

Key features

Key features vary in each of the service options.

Service option 1:

  • Book collection – approximately 6000-7000 items
  • Adult & young adult books approx 60 per cent
  • Children’s collection approx 15 per cent
  • Audio visual collection approx 15 per cent
  • Magazines & newspapers approx 10 per cent
  • E-Book collection – approx 12,000 electronic items
  • Self serve station x 2
  • Print/copy station
  • Public computers x 6
  • Online catalogue x 2
  • WiFi access
  • Casual reading spaces
  • 24hr return chute (in foyer)
  • 24hr reserve pick up lockers (in foyer)
  • Possible use of the shared meeting space for quiet study
  • Storytime, rhymetime and other activities to be run in the shared program spaces.

Service option 2:

  • Book collection – approx 4000 items
  • Adult & young adult books approx 60 per cent
  • Children’s collection approx 15 per cent
  • Audio visual collection approx 15 per cent
  • Magazines & newspapers approx 10 per cent
  • E-Book Collection – approx 12,000 electronic items
  • Self serve station x 2
  • Print/copy station
  • Public computers (x4 seated and x6 standing)
  • Online catalogue x 2
  • E-book kiosk
  • Connect and play zone (tablets)
  • WiFi access
  • Casual reading spaces
  • Quiet study & reading area within the library space
  • 24hr Return Chute (in foyer)
  • 24hr Reserve pick up lockers (in foyer)
  • Storytime, Rhymetime and other activities to be run in the shared program spaces.

Service option 3:

  • E-Book collection – approx 12,000 electronic items
  • Self serve station x 2
  • Book scan station
  • Print/copy station
  • Online catalogue x 3
  • Connect and play zones (tablets)
  • Laptop zone
  • Windows 8 and android zones (tablet computers)
  • Innovation lab (3D printer)
  • E-book kiosk x 4
  • WiFi access
  • Reading and relax spaces
  • Quiet study & reading area
  • 24hr return chute (in foyer)
  • 24hr reserve pick up lockers (in foyer)
  • ‘Ask me’ alcove – for assistance with technology enquiries
  • Storytime, rhymetime and other activities to be run in the shared program spaces.

Questions and answers

During the evening a number of questions were posed by attendees, these are noted below and the answers are provided.

  1. Options show children’s story time at the front and books at the back. Shouldn’t it all be together, perhaps a special space for children close to youth?

The Library sub-committee will consider the layout to make the best use of the available space.

  1. Why is the air lock taking up so much space? Can it be reduced to increase library space?

An airlock is a common feature in most new buildings.It assists with airflow and temperature control around the doorways. The design for this airlock includes the book return chute and 24 hour reserve pick up lockers so that customers using these facilities are protected from the weather.

  1. I am interested in the size of the book collection and the increase in floor space of other libraries when they were redeveloped?

Collection sizes and floor spaces for other redeveloped libraries in Hobsons Bay are:

  • Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre 1000sq m of dedicated library space (not including upstairs) 15,000 items – increased floor space from 100sq m with a collection of 11,000 items
  • Altona North Community Library 530sq m (dedicated library space) and 12,000 books – a new library and collection
  • Williamstown Library – 900sq m2 of dedicated floor space with 30,000 items – floor space increased from 380 sq m, collection is the same size
  1. Can you outline the borrowing statistics?

Redeveloped libraries resulted in increased number of visitors, but there has been a gradual decline in borrowing. The biggest usage is for DVD’s, magazines and children’s books. Youth books are not very well used across all libraries. Altona North has a larger collection of youth books but they are not actively used. The majority of the young people use the space, PCs and staff resources.

  1. Can you reduce storage space to increase library floor space?

Each of the current user groups’ storage needs have been measured, collated and mapped. The capacity of the storage spaces for the community is 100 per cent full when safe walk spaces are included within the room. The storage for the Library and Youth functions and activities are accounted for in full. The storage rooms attached to the program spaces are used to store tables and chairs and are also at capacity.

  1. If service option three was chosen how would you manage quiet study, collaboration space and meeting spaces without disturbing other users?

The library staff would monitor and manage the collaboration space and quiet study area as they do at the other branches with similar spaces.

  1. In service option 3 are there desktop computers.Can they be moved so they don’t take up as much space?

Service option 3 will deliver a flexible space where all computer desks/tables can be on castors and moved when needed. We would need to be mindful of floor design for access to data and power.

It would also contain tables without fixed PCs where customers can sit down at and plug in their own device.

  1. Can you comment on declining borrowing in Newport and across all libraries and what’s being done to address that?

Staff always encourage people to borrow the collection, particularly during author talks. We promote collections as part of Libraries on Location but what we’re seeing is a decline in borrowing across the board. People are not leaving with as many books as they used to. It’s happening worldwide, not just in Hobsons Bay. Social Media Statistics predicted that in 2013 two-in-five adults in Australia would use a mobile device for reading and research.

  1. Is the decline of borrowing in Newport consistent with the change in operating hours or staffing?

No.The decline is not consistent with the change in the opening hours or staffing. It is consistent with the opening of the Altona North Community Library in 2010, and Williamstown Library opening in 2012. The opening hours were extended by four hours in 2012 and eliminated the Wednesday close day. The library was previously open for 33 hours spread across five days, excluding Wednesdays and Sundays. In 2012, library hours increased to 37 hours spread across six days including Wednesday. Staffing levels have been maintained during this time.

  1. The reception area at the front of the facility is not only for the library so how will that impact on resourcing?

The internal governance model is yet to be finalised however the library staff at any site see their primary role as providing good customer service - particularly for information and research, readers advice and technology assistance.

  1. Has there been research done into the innovation lab proposed in service option three? Is this a separate area?Is it going to impact on quiet space?

The Innovation Lab is a separate meeting space and will be acoustically treated to prevent noise impacting the quiet study area adjoining the Lab. There has been research done on this within a library context.It’s a trend stemming from the US and is growing throughout public libraries in Australia, as they seek to improve the digital literacy skills of the community.

  1. Has there been any research done into whether the model proposed in option three is needed in this community?

Not specifically for the Newport community at this stage but the library team is monitoring the usage of the Newport space and all the Hobsons Bay Libraries.

-67 per cent of information enquiries across the board link to supporting customers in the use of technology.

-The PC areas are the most utilised spaces in each of the branches.

Industry trends support these statistics, with libraries used increasingly for activities and social connections, in person and online, and less for traditional book borrowing.

The Melbourne 2030 Plan relating to housing densityidentifies that as more people live in smaller spaces like units and apartments they seek social meeting spaces outside their homes. Demand for communal meeting, reading, study and activity spaces is on the increase at all library branches.

  1. The location of the current library is within a multi-purpose facility, whereas other libraries don’t have shared walkways, have their own storage area and the staff don’t act as receptionists for a larger facility. The current area is also small and inadequate so why can’t this be addressed?

Each of the branch library footprints incorporate space for walkways to ensure easy access to all areas, but especially to amenities, service desks and collections. Williamstown, Altona Meadows and Altona North also have multiple entrances or exits which have to be clear at all times. The measurements for these branches include these walkways.

Each of these branches also shares storage with tenants or user groups

The area is ideally located between community meeting rooms, and two other key council functions. Being at the heart of the building, with the ability to make use of the shared program spaces, it will satisfy most requirements of a vibrant community library function.

Consideration of current user patterns and the proximity of other branches has influenced the size of the library space

  1. What about opening hours and staffing?

There will be no changes to staffing numbers at the new library. Hours of operation have not yet been determined but with the new facility being open to community members, the library is most likely to be open very similar hours to current hours. The library will be open on Saturday as it is at the moment

  1. Will there be staff to train people and assist with new technology?

Yes.Staff will be available to train people and assist with new technology. There will usuallybe two staff members on any given day, split over shifts depending on the opening hours

  1. E-collection – regardless of the model it will play a big part. What are the options for users who don’t have e-readers?

We propose to purchase 50 tablets and e-readers to have on loan. We currently subscribe to 3000 items. Length of borrowing for ebooks is consistent with physical books the length of the loan for an ereader is yet to be determined but will relate to number of books.

  1. What about acoustics? You have music area, children, people coming from the park, youth services and low shelving.How will this be managed in terms of noise?

The design briefhas astrong focus on acoustics. We will have dividing walls that will be acoustically treated, the music studio will have full commercial treatment, there will be noise dampeners, and soft material will be used to absorb noise across the facility.

  1. How do e-readers impact on people with visual disabilities?

E-readers allow for print to be enlarged. As such,this kind of technology is inclusive of people with disabilities. Depending on the service option chosen for the new library, the Council would consider delivering e-readers as part of home library service.

  1. Can some of the technological things be placed in other libraries so that the collection can be increased in Newport?

This was always going to be a multi-purpose facility, second biggest expenditure in Hobsons Bay. The size of the library has been determined on use and the concept of shared program space.

  1. How are you going to manage car parking?

The Council will look into parking options around the site. Some of the parking has already been changed from all day parking to two hour so more people have an opportunity to park around the area for shopping and other chores. There will be also staff parking provided away from the site so that the extra staff do not utilise the small number of parking spaces around the facility. The facility is close to the Newport train station so commuters park in the area. Thisis an issue not just in Newport but across the municipality and other metropolitan areas.

  1. Will you address safety issues? Properties have been vandalisedand there is graffiti.

The new build will include anti-graffiti features in the design and fabric of the building.

Lighting will be improved and CCTV installed.

In addition, the removal of Sloan House will open up the space, improving visibility through Paine Reserve to the car park. The increased visibility and foot traffic will contribute to improved safety.

Library wish list brainstorm

Community members were given an opportunity to provide their ideas and suggestions about what they would like to see in the new library. Suggestions included:

  • Children’s books, preschool 0-3 and 3 to 6
  • Dedicated children’s space – contained and away from exits
  • DVDs for children and adults and audio books
  • Bigger footprint
  • Look at moving the storage area to increase footprint
  • Bigger collection
  • Technology to encourage kids to use the library continuously
  • E-books for download
  • E-readers
  • Technology from option 3 to be more moveable, not fixed
  • Books and other formats in different languages, especially those languages that are taught in different schools
  • All technology spread out across different libraries
  • Quiet study area
  • Specialist collection that records the history of the community – perhaps in musical format where interaction can be created with the rest of the facility
  • PCs in a private area
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Improvement in interface and search engine
  • 24/7 locked area for any time pick up

Where to next?

The Council will communicate with residents using a range of channels including our website, newsletter and social media.

Residents can also email their questions and feedback to

The nominations for the library sub-committee have now closed and the Council will be assessing the nominations over the coming weeks with the aim of appointing the committee before Easter. Meeting dates will be determined based on the availability of the members.

The sub-committee will use the information from the consultation session as a platform for discussion and as the basis for developing a report for the detailed design. The report will be presented to the Council and will be available to the wider community.