Name of the Library: Cairns City Library
Parent Organisation: Cairns Regional Council
Street Address: 151 Abbott Street Cairns QLD 4870
Postal Address:PO Box 359 Cairns QLD 4870
Telephone :61 07 4044 3720
Web Address: http://www.cairnslibrary.com.au
Library Email: infodesk@cairns.qld.gov.au
Type of Library : Central/ Main Library
Population served: 157,102
Project Type: Refurbishment
Size (square metres): 2010
Date of Completion: 1999
Architect: Power Graham & Dempsey Pty Ltd, Stephenson & Turner International
Description
The Cairns City Library and surrounding tropical gardens have been recognised for their historic importance by the Cairns Regional Council, the Australian Heritage Commission, and the Queensland Heritage Council.
The Cairns City Library building was originally built as a council chamber and officially opened on the 11 August 1930. This 1930s building was designed by Hill and Taylor architects, whose work blended elements of classic Greek and colonial Queensland architecture. Extensive alterations were made during the 1960s and again in the 1970s.
In the late 1990s the building was re-designed and modified by architects Power Graham & Dempsey, and Stephenson & Turner International, with every effort made to retain the ambience of the 1930s chamber. It reopened as the new City Library in 1999.
The historic central chamber with its distinctive cedar timber panelling has been retained as the Information and Reference Room. The original high plaster ceilings, paired cedar doors and lead-light windows have been restored. Also of historic and architectural interest are the original strong room door, the Lake Street portico, and the Ionic columns.
The large Moreton Bay fig trees, planted in 1907, remain as a feature of the gardens which were redesigned in 1999 by landscape architects Siteplan Cairns. Another special feature of the gardens is the Literary Trail, a display of public artworks completed in 1999 by local artists, inspired by the literary works of authors who have resided in the Cairns Region.
As part of the Cairns Libraries network, the Cairns City Library’s many programs and services include:
Extensive children’s activities such as Baby Rhyme Time, storytime, and school holiday activities
LearnIT @ your library information technology classes
Literary events and workshops
City heritage walks
Family history workshops and drop-in sessions
Professional reference and information services
An extensive regional resource collection and family history collection
Display areas including a permanent Cairns Regional Council Sister Cities display
Name of the library: Craigieburn Library
Parent organisation: Hume City Council
Street address: Hume Global Learning Centre – Craigieburn
75-95 Central Park Avenue, Craigieburn Victoria 3064
Postal address: P.O. Box 119 Dallas Victoria 3047
Telephone: 61393566980
Web : www.humelibraries.vic.gov.au www.hume.vic.gov.au
Library email: libraries@hume.vic.gov.au
Type of library: Public library
Population served: 39,891 (as at 30 June 2014)
Project type: new building
Size: Total public access footprint: 3,338.5 m²
Total building footprint: 4,040.50 m²
Total library footprint: 1,072m²
Date of completion: May 2012
Architect: Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT)
Description
In 2014, Craigieburn Library was named ‘International Public Library of the Year’ at a prestigious awards ceremony in France.
The facility, located within the Hume Global Learning Centre – Craigieburn, was given the award over libraries from England, the Netherlands and Denmark. The honour was presented at the annual International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) congress in Lyon, France and was sponsored by the Danish firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen architects.
The committee of judges chose Craigieburn Library because it “distinguishes itself as a significant modern construction with a strong, recognisable architectural concept. With its open and flexible space, the library creates a democratic meeting place, open to diversity and interaction (and) is a good example of how Hume City has used a library to create a sense of belonging for all demographic groups as both a learning centre and gathering space for the city”.
The Hume Global Learning Centre – Craigieburn, including Craigieburn Library was a collaborative effort between Hume City Council and the architects Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp and provides a range of services under one roof. In addition to the library, there is an exhibition gallery, occasional care program, cafe, Council’s Customer Service Centre and a state-of-the-art training and conference facility. With a footprint of just over 4000 square metres, the centre incorporates the best of community facilities, the latest in technology, and advances in sustainable design. The building is a series of interlocking pavilions of varying height and scale. The two-storey central library reading space is flooded in natural light, while the lower ceiling of the children’s library creates a cosy area for little ones.
The facility uses locally-sourced earth as the primary building material, with rammed earth walls providing a natural transition from the ground into structure. The design provides a warm, friendly and sustainable facility that invites people to take advantage of the external shaded courtyards as well as the building interior.
The Hume Libraries service has been recognised not only for design excellence but for delivering exceptional services to our community. In May 2014, Hume Libraries was named Australia’s Favourite Library Service, receiving over 30,000 votes in a nation-wide search by the Australian Library and Information Association.
In September 2014, the Hume Libraries service was also the first public library in Australia to receive eSmart status. The eSmart initiative, developed in partnership by The Alannah and Madeline Foundation and Telstra, aims to increase cyber-safety and deals with cyber-bullying by changing behaviours. This means that Libraries’ staff can teach residents use technology in a smart, safe and responsible way.
Nearly 530,000 users visit Hume Libraries each year, and borrow more than 992,000 items. The Hume Libraries membership rate is 59.1% – well above the Victorian average of 49.1% – and proof that Hume City locals love their libraries!
Name of the Library: Campaspe Regional Library
Parent Organisation: Shire of Campaspe
Street Address: 310 Hare Street, Echuca, 3564, Victoria, Australia
Postal Address: PO Box 35, Echuca, 3564, Victoria, Australia
Telephone :61354812400
Web Address: http://www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library
Library Email: libraries@ campaspe.vic.gov.au/library
Type of Library :Central/ Main Library , Regional Library
Population served:46,000
Project Type: New Building
Size (square metres):1300
Date of Completion: 24/08/2014
Architect:Brian Mathieson, Perrott Lyon Mathieson
View of the river from the Library
Description
Although a very long time in the planning, it has certainly been worth the wait. The new Campaspe Regional Library in Echuca was officially opened on August 24, 2012 and since that first moment it has been embraced by the community and it has certainly become the community hub it was destined to be.
The previous library which served the Echuca/Moama district for over 50 years was in a very small and inadequate building with only 280sqm of public floor space. A collection of close to 40,000 was literally bursting at the seams, let alone the difficulty to provide comfortable and welcoming spaces for people and the provision of technology related items.
For many years the Campaspe Shire sought to find the most appropriate location for this well used and popular community facility. In 2010 Council decided to proceed with the construction of a new building on the corner of Hare and Heygarth Street, Echuca. An absolutely perfect position with the mighty Murray River and the riverine environment as a backdrop while still remaining close to the CBD and other Council services.
The architects worked very diligently with the community and a range of stakeholders to ensure that the design was sensitive to the environment, as well as being respectful of the War Memorial which was situated on the south west corner of the available footprint. It was important to retain a sense of transparency through to the rivergums and the river and also desirable from within the building to be have a sense of connectedness and harmony with the environment. This was achieved and the view over the river, the Port of Echuca and the paddlesteamers passing by is the envy of many. A very quiet and respectful part of the library is situated behind the War Memorial which allows for a sense of reverence and contemplation. Special collections including two privately donated military collections add to this atmosphere in beautifully designed cabinets along the western wall.
External building features include pre-loved timbers from the recently decommissioned historic wharf, specially designed ironbark canopies draw you in to the library. There is a marvellous book feature to the left of the front entry doors which highlights all the other service points the library serves. Local indigenous emblems have been incorporated into the signage throughout the building. The design is pragmatic, yet iconic and is very identifiable as a library.
Internal features include flexible shelving, with about 60% being mobile. There are two meeting rooms which can be accessed after hours without impacting on the security of the rest of the library. Everything is situated on one level and is very accessible to all ages and abilities. The amenities include a beautiful parent’s room, thus providing a very important facility for residents and visitors to the region. The building has been designed in a way so that whatever the weather may be outside it will draw in the natural light with skylights right through the middle, as well as alcoves protecting the patrons from the harsh summer sun and gorgeous full length glass windows that allow the winter sun in. The youth area features gaming units and custom designed banquette booths that encourage young people to sit, study and socialise together. Locally donated wooden tables and chairs add to the ambience of the building and are very conducive for studying, either in groups or individually. The library was opened in the National Year of Reading and there are two large signs within the library that will serve as an ongoing legacy and reminder of this special year.
A number of partnerships have assisted with providing special collections and resources including the Friends of the Library who raised enough money to furnish the library throughout. The Echuca
Lions Club provided additional funding to purchase resources and assistive technology for people with impaired vision. The library has a close relationship with the Community Living and Respite Services (CLRS) and it houses a collection for families and individuals with ASD.
There have been two noticeable changes in usage, firstly the visitation numbers through the door have gone from about 5000 per month to 15000 per month, even after nearly two years of operation this has remained steady. And secondly it is all the activity that the library now creates with a wide variety of clubs and organisations using the building each week to meet, to learn and to socialise. The previous library could not provide the space that now allows people to come together for clubs such as chess, cards, crochet, photography, lego, computers, knitting and more recently the inter-cultural club which welcomes CALD people to the area. A wide range of early literacy programs are held including toddler rhymetime, storytimes, baby/parents rhymetime, holiday activities, homework help and reading clubs. Activities for adults include book chats, book clubs, special events, music events (we even have a piano), health and wellbeing talks. The list goes on… and on many occasions these activities are happening concurrently. It is due to the space, the acoustic treatment and flexibility that they don’t impact on each other; they actually complement each other instead. There is natural sense of vibrancy and warmth that is generated by the various activities that occur.
Even on a quiet day it is still lovely to walk around and watch people enjoy the space, they feel welcome and comfortable to have a coffee or byo lunch. Accessing the electronic world we live in is encouraged with study benches, free wifi and lap top tables that look out to the river. There is a central reading area to access the newspaper, browse the magazines, access reference material, pick up your reservation or take part in the community jigsaw. Lots of really nice features that say this is a library, you are welcome and please stay a while.
In 2013 the Campaspe Regional Library was awarded the Project Management Award Community Services and/or Development, Victoria by the Project Management Association Australia, Victoria Chapter. It was then part of the PMAA National Awards.
A history of the project was presented in a paper to the By Design Conference in November 2013.
In 2014 the Library was awarded the Pierre Gorman Award from the State Library of Victoria to deliver the Being Connected : Libraries and Autism Project in partnership with CLRS which it is currently working on. The project key deliverable is to undertake a sensory audit of all libraries within the region to improve their internal environment and program delivery for people with ASD.
A large number of amazing events have been held with huge visitation numbers including the Community Celebration Day, Dinosaur Exhibition from the National Dinosaur Museum, Jazz in your loungeroom, Melbourne Writers Festival, High Road to Reading, Free Comic Book Day, Winter Blues Festival, Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll, Landcare Awards and the Australian Poetry Slam regional heat 2013.
It has become a vibrant, cultural, educational and recreational facility with only more good things to come. Awards, case studies, further information
In 2013 the Campaspe Regional Library was awarded the Project Management Award Community Services and/or Development, Victoria by the Project Management Association Australia, Victoria Chapter. It was then part of the PMAA National Awards.
A history of the project was presented in a paper to the By Design Conference in November 2013.
In 2014 the Library was awarded the Pierre Gorman Award from the State Library of Victoria to deliver the Being Connected : Libraries and Autism Project in partnership with CLRS which it is currently working on. The project key deliverable is to undertake a sensory audit of all libraries within the region to improve their internal environment and program delivery for people with ASD.
A large number of amazing events have been held with huge visitation numbers including the Community Celebration Day, Dinosaur Exhibition from the National Dinosaur Museum, Jazz in your loungeroom, Melbourne Writers Festival, High Road to Reading, Free Comic Book Day, Winter Blues Festival, Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll, Landcare Awards and the Australian Poetry Slam regional heat 2013.
It has become a vibrant, cultural, educational and recreational facility with only more good things to come.
Name of the Library: Customs House Library
Parent Organisation: City of Sydney
Street Address: 31 Alfred Street, Sydney NSW 2000
Postal Address: GPO BOX 1591 Sydney 2001
Telephone : +0292428555
Web : http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/libraries/branches/customs-house-library
Library Email: library@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Type of Library: Joint use
Population served:
Project Type : Conversion
Size Library occupies three floors of Customs House
Date of Completion: 2005
Architects: Lacoste + Stevenson Architects (Coordinating Architect – PTW, Heritage Architect – Tanner Architects)
Customs House Library Reading Room
Description
Customs House Library is located at Circular Quay on the doorstep of Sydney CBD and Sydney Harbour in one of Sydney’s landmark historical buildings. Spread over three floors the library features a number of flexible spaces, including lounge areas, a beautiful traditional quiet study space, exhibition spaces, computer facilities, Wifi, IT training facilities, and quality collections.
As part of the City of Sydney Library Network, Customs House Library regularly hosts a range of innovative and engaginig events, including the Late Night Library series, Classics at Customs and Lunches with Bite.
Customs House Library, interior Photograph K Joss
Awards, case studies, further information
2006 Royal Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) Awards
Category: Public Buildings – Interiors
Winner: Lacoste + Stevenson Architects
Australia’s Favourite Library, ALIA, 2014
Nominee
Local Government Arts & Culture Awards 2014
Developing Arts and Culture: Libraries and Literature: Late Night Library, Council of the City of Sydney
Article
“The Infinite Library”
Stead, Naomi. Monument No 76 2006/07 pp 64-68
Surry Hills Library and Community Centre Photo John Gollings
Name of the Library: Surry Hills Library
Parent Organisation: City of Sydney Council
Street Address: 405 Crown Street Surry Hills 2010
Postal Address: Same as above
Telephone : 61 02 83746230
Web :http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/explore/libraries/branches/surry-hills-library
Library Email:library@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Type of Library : Multipurpose building
Population served: City of Sydney (local government area) population 191,918, Surry Hills (village catchment) population 15,348
Project Type: Refurbishment
Size (square metres): 898m2
Date of Completion: Opened 2009
Architect: Richard Francis Jones from FJMT
Surry Hills Library John Gollings
Description
Key building features:
The new Surry Hills Library and Community Centre has been designed to achieve measurable standards of excellence in sustainable design and, ultimately, set new benchmarks in environmental performance for hybrid public buildings. Some examples are:
• Rainwater will be collected, treated and re-used for the flushing of toilets and watering the environmental atrium plants and Collins Street Reserve lawn.
• Achieving a high quality Indoor Environment is a key goal for the project and the building’s geo thermal cooling provides access to clean air with a low energy cost
• A photovoltaic array consisting of some 40 roof mounted solar panels
• High levels of natural day-lighting throughout the building and daylight controlled light fixtures
• Solar tracking louver façade to minimise direct light penetration to control glare and thermal gains
• Effective insulation of the building envelope including the Green Roof and ventilated facades, where natural grasses reduce energy loss through the roof and the façade cladding zone is ventilated to minimize thermal gains
• Movement controlled lighting which ensures lights turn off automatically when empty of people
Materials
Building materials have been specially selected for their durability so as to reduce maintenance and material replacement through the building’s life cycle. Waste management strategies and recycling have been adopted throughout construction and when the building is occupied there will be a centralised collection and sorting facility.
Sustainable material use includes:
– a post-tensioning structural system that reduces the quantity of concrete required for structural framing
– use of alternative materials to PVC for plumbing and electrical services
– Finishes that contain low levels of products which harm the environment such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
– Timber products sourced from sustainable forests
Surry Hills Library is part of the City of Sydney Library Network and regularly hosts a range of innovate and engaging events, such as the Late Night Library series this event offers Sydneysiders a range of exciting events on Thursday nights, from storytelling sessions and current affairs debates to live music performances and film screenings.
Awards, case studies, further information
2014 Local Government Arts & Culture Awards
2011 Best New Global Design award International Architecture Awards Chicago
National Award for Sustainable Architecture and National Award for Public Architecture at the National Architecture Awards
Public Architecture Award, Milo Dunphy Award for Sustainable Architecture and John Verge Award for Interior Architecture at the NSW Architecture Awards
Environmental Excellence Award at the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s NSW Awards
The Green Globe Award for Local Government Sustainability at the NSW Department of Environment’s Awards
Excellence in Construction – Public Building Award at the Master Builders Association Awards
Award for Excellence in Sustainability at the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating Awards
Sustainability Award at the Building Product News Awards
Second place in the Emilio Ambasz Award for Green Architecture
Finalist in the National Interior Design Awards
Finalist in the United Nations World Environment Day Awards
Finalist in the Banksia Environment Awards
Highly Commended in the Asia Pacific Property Awards
Highly Commended in the Interior Design of Excellence Awards
Highly Commended in the Australian Timber Design Awards for a NSW Public/Commercial Building and Best Use of Timber Panels.
Type of Library: District Library
Population served: Primary catchment of 13,000 , secondary catchment of approximately 22,000
Project Type: New Building in a heritage precinct
Size (square metres): 1399m2
Date of Completion: September 2012
Architect: Sally Draper with Mitsouri Architects
Williamstown Library Children’s Area Photo: Trevor Mein
Description
Williamstown, situated on a peninsula eight kilometres south-west of Melbourne, is the oldest continuous settlement on the shores of Port Phillip.
Design
The design of the Williamstown Library is based on an understanding of Williamstown as a unique place within Melbourne, characterised by a strong sense of identity and community.
It is contemplated not as a standalone building but as an integral part of its urban context. The site spans two distinct precincts: the historic Town Hall precinct to the west, and the retail precinct to the east. The design approach allows the library to act as a “bridge” between these two different urban environments.
Williamstown’s maritime heritage is reflected in the building’s architectural features with the use of ply in the timber bridge as well as the curved form with wooden beams alluding to Williamstown’s history in boat building. The extensive use of wood and the translucent polycarbonate create a calm and airy feel to the library space. Fifty or so browsers, readers, researchers, students or PC users seem to have little impact on the overall sense of calm.
The architects saw the library as two interlinked components. A softly curved translucent structure houses a double height reading room, whilst the ancillary spaces are within a rectilinear, bluestone wall. The bluestone is punctured by a series of deeply set openings acting as a threshold or filter between the cultural realm of the Town Hall precinct and the commercial areas to the east. A series of flexible community gathering spaces are created between the Town Hall and the library . A sheltered sun lit courtyard to the north opens off the UCAN library café and to the south generous timber step seats spill out onto the Town Hall forecourt providing an engaging and comfortable meeting place.
The Williamstown Library incorporates strong environmentally sustainable design (ESD) goals with solutions integrated into the building fabric. This was achieved through innovative design of the building envelope, thoughtful configuration and zoning of spaces, and the integration of a multi-stage hybrid HVAC system designed to balance occupant comfort with energy efficiency.
The HVAC system incorporated into this building is designed to work seamlessly with the spaces and architecture of the building to minimise energy consumption throughout the year. A sub-floor labyrinth covers the entire footprint of the building. This labyrinth takes in outdoor air below deck level and allows it to filter into the occupied spaces providing passive cooling for much of the year. High level extract vents in the main reading room combined with automated windows in the building spine serve to draw air from the plenum through the occupied spaces thereby providing natural cooling and ventilation to all areas within the building. As the temperature rises, dampers in the sub-floor plenum close and a VRV system utilises the sub-floor space for distribution of conditioned air into the building. During cooler months when natural ventilation is not possible, heating is achieved through the use of hydronic in slab heating in the main reading room and supplementary air based heating in the ancillary spaces. The energy efficient hydronic system warms the indoor air for the most part and is boosted when required by the VRV system.
Energy efficient lighting, daylight and motion sensors have been incorporated into spaces and an automated night purge system allows for high level extract. A 40,000 litre water tank is located below the main deck and harvests water from the library and part of the town hall roof for re-use in the building. The building features recycled timber and steel composite structural columns, natural Victorian bluestone and low VOC materials and finishes throughout.
The Williamstown Library combines innovative, elegant design with smart sustainable design solutions to create a library that will serve the community now and into the future.
View from the first floor. Photo: Trevor Mein
Function
This modern, two storey library has brought new life to Williamstown’s historic arts and civic precinct with the library collection interspersed with attractive reading spaces and state of the art technology incorporated throughout. There are self serve RFID issue and return terminals, automated book returns, iPads for casual browsing, PCs and wireless internet and a gaming zone. The bookshop inspired layout invites the reader to browse the collections, then to sit to read and linger in the nearby chairs.
Williamstown Library is a vibrant meeting place for the local community where visits regularly outstrip loans. The space is flexible to meet the needs of an array of different types of programming. The library runs the usual programs for children such as Rhymetime and Storytime in the colourful children’s area. However, the flexibility of the layout is showcased when larger author events are achieved by wheeling the collection into storage to allow half of the floor space to be set with 150-200 seats. Recent author events included Matthew Reilly and local favourite Andy Griffiths. While relaxing on the outdoor deck you can plug into recharge your favourite device or enjoy acoustic sets from local musicians as part of the Music on the Deck program. Local community group, Transitions, are supported to meet monthly on the deck to exchange garden produce at ‘fruit and vegetable swaps’ and regular book sales run by the Friends of the Library group provide funds for the library’s programs and services. The deck creates a vibrant and active urban space and the “bridge” between the two buildings. Regular cultural events on the Town Hall calendar such as the Williamstown Literary Festival, the Rotary Art Show, Mobil Night at the Opera and the Antique and Vintage Fashion show spill out from the ballroom to enjoy coffee and drinks at interval.
The first floor Gallery hosts art exhibits from local art clubs, schools and kindergartens, and has hosted several national touring exhibitions, bringing high calibre exhibits to the community’s backyard. When not in use for exhibitions, the gallery is well used by students at the shared study tables. Views of Melbourne’s city skyline can also be enjoyed from the Gallery.
For those wishing a quieter library experience, the library offers an acoustically treated study room, with peaceful views to the Town Hall and golden elm.
The library experience is enhanced by the aroma of freshly baked muffins and espresso. Library members can enjoy a coffee or bite to eat at the UCAN Cafe. UCAN Cafe is a social enterprise supported as part of an award winning partnership with Hobsons Bay City council, paying award wage employment and training for young people with disability. This innovative enterprise has provided local youth with over 20,000 hours of employment.
The history of Hobsons Bay is showcased in the dedicated Heritage Room. The room is a haven for family history buffs, curious visitors, and serious researchers and boasts an impressive collection of local history primary and secondary source materials.
Best practice accessibility features include three fully accessible bathrooms, including accessible shower facilities and a hydraulic change table. The integrated ramp entrances and the lift provided in the linkway provides accessible entry to the Town Hall for the first time in almost 100 years. Awards, case studies, further information
New Williamstown Library for people as well as books. The Age, April 30th 2014 : http://www.theage.com.au/business/new-williamstown-library-for-people-as-well-as-books-20140429-37fst.html
City of Perth Library– view of green wall and void. Image Kerry Hill Architects
Name of the Library : City of Perth Library
Parent Organisation: City of Perth
Street Address: 573 Hay Street, Perth, Western Australia
Postal Address: GPO BOX C120, PERTH WA 6839
Telephone :+61 8 94613577
Web Address: http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/living-community/perth-city-library
Library Email : perth.library@cityofperth.wa.gov.au
Type of Library : Central Main Library
Population served:19,043
Project Type : New Building
Size (square metres): 3500
Date of Completion: May 2015
Architect: Kerry Hill Architects
City of Perth Library– view of green wall and void. Image Kerry Hill Architects
Description
The new City of Perth Library.
The round seven level building, designed by Kerry Hill Architects, includes a perimeter stair winding around the outside of the building, a large video wall, café, outdoor terrace and gaming area, outdoor story space for children, views of a green wall and outdoor reflection pond. On level one an elegant and reserved reading room forms the centre point of the building. From this vantage point visitors will be able to view the artwork on the ceiling three stories above. The Andrew Nichol’s drawing combines the story of The Tempest with colonial and natural themes that feature West Australian flora and fauna.
Name of the Library: Upper Coomera Branch Library
Parent Organisation: City of Gold Coast
Street Address: Corner Reserve and Abraham Roads, Upper Coomera, Queensland, Australia
Postal Address: PO Box 5042 GCMC, Qld 9729, Australia
Telephone : 61 7 5582 9300
Web Address: cityofgoldcoast.com.au/library
Library Email: upclibrary@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Type of Library: Multipurpose building
Population served: 22,816
Project Type: New Building
Size (square metres): Library 1,004m2; Integrated facility 4000
Date of Completion: 2013
Architect: City of Gold Coast and Daryl Jackson Architecture
Description
The Upper Coomera Branch Library opened 29 April 2013, and is a key feature of Upper Coomera Centre provided by the City of Gold Coast. There are a range of services in the one location provided for convenience and accessibility including:
• Community Centre including multi-purpose hall, five meeting rooms, youth space (including recording studio), arts space, computer lab and Non-Government Office space
• Recreational aquatic facility including recreational pool, with toilets and leisure rooms for a variety of activities, and children’s’ water play
• Councillor Office
• Commercial café with alfresco space
• City of Gold Coast Customer Service Centre
• Anzac Memorial
• Large common foyer space utilised for functions and activities
• Semi commercial kitchen
• Outdoor space that provides a natural amphitheatre for performance and other activities
The Upper Coomera Centre is an innovative design and includes a range of sustainability initiatives such as solar hot water, harvesting of rain water for use in toilets, air conditioning and irrigation, efficient lighting, ‘low e’ glass, water efficient plumbing fixtures, external shading devices and efficiencies in air conditioning. The site has been developed so as to be sympathetic to the existing land form and vegetation.
The central location makes the facility accessible by both public transport routes and major arterial road for vehicles. It is a single level building, for ease of access by all user groups, and includes features such as Braille signage, and access ramps in the pool. The Centre is located within walking distance to four large K-12 schools, and services a demographic that is predominantly young families.
The library features large expanses of glass, providing a sunny, welcoming community space with a range of comfortable seating throughout to encourage the use as a social meeting space. The collections and layout of the library reflect the demographic, including separate areas each for young children, juniors and teens. In addition to public access PC’s customers are able to take advantage of the free wifi and readily accessible power points to utilise their own devices to access the internet and online resources available through the library.
Library programs target all segments of the community, ranging from regular children’s programming through to family history and computing courses for adults. A range of sessions target children in the after school and school holiday periods with many activities aimed at encouraging children to engage with literacy and learning in a fun way. The library also works in partnership with local service providers to provide sessions such as job searching, parenting and financial literacy courses based on community need. In addition the library works with community based organisations such as Pacific Arts and Cultural Heritage Inc. to provide programs such as Waitangi Day celebrations for the local Maori community.
The library is open 53 hours per week, Monday to Saturday. Usage of and visitation to the Centre is growing rapidly and consistently. In the first year of operation the library registered over 10,000 customers and averaged over 800 visitors per day. Of the 11,500 people attending library programs, more than 8000 people were attracted to the 350 storytelling activities. More than 20,000 people utilised the public wifi, in addition to 21,000 hours of public PC usage.
Awards, case studies, further information
2014 Parks and Leisure Queensland Regional Awards of Excellence – LiquidBlu Award for Leisure Facilities (http://www.parksleisure.com.au/regions/qld/regional-awards-of-excellence )
Master Builders Queensland Gold Coast Housing & Construction Awards 2014 – Sporting & Community Service Facilities $5 million – $20 million
Name of the Library: Elanora Branch Library
Parent Organisation: City of Gold Coast
Street Address: Pines Shopping Centre, Guineas Creek Rd, Elanora QLD 4221, Australia
Postal Address: PO Box 5042, GCMC QLD 9729, Australia
Telephone : 61 7 5581 1671
(incl Country code)
Web Address: https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/library
Library Email: lcs@goldcoast.qld.gov.au
Type of Library: Regional Library
Population served: 50205
Project Type: New Building
Size (square metres): 2627
Date of Completion: 2007
Architect: Dale Cohen Architects
Description
The Elanora Branch Library was designed as a “floating” elevated faceted and sculptured form a-top a columned base to integrate with the busy Pines Shopping Centre. The design creates a library that is exciting to visit, easy to use and manage. The library has been designed as a place to meet and interact. Landscaping, paved open areas, outdoor seating, abundant parking and easy proximity to the surrounding facilities makes the Library an ideal community meeting space. The internal space has a modernist, clean line aesthetic that defines the functionality of the space for designated user age groups and activities.
The Library was funded under a public private partnership between the QLD State Government, HSP – the owners of the shopping centre, and the City of Gold Coast. Costing around $10.6 million to build, it features ecologically-sustainable design elements. Its climate sensitive design, including numerous solar/energy initiatives and water efficiency systems enabled this civic building to achieve a high benchmark standard for sustainability.
The Library offers a full range of programs and services, both internally and through outreach activities in the community. Through the wider City of Gold Coast Library network, Elanora offers the local community access to nearly 1 million items in a range of formats, access to computers, Wi-Fi and meeting rooms. Regular and varied programs, designed for junior, youth and adults are offered on a regular basis. Computer skills, general lifestyle and leisure to at-home business development are all on offer. Like-minded people meet in the Library to improve their English language skills, discuss books, tell stories, discuss knitting patterns, and play mah-jong and much more.
Awards, case studies, further informationGold Coast Urban Design Award for Public Architecture (2007)
2007 Community Service Facility $2m – $10m State and Regional
Name of the Library: Katoomba Library
Parent Organisation: Blue Mountains City Council
Street Address: 30 Parke St Katoomba NSW 2780 AUSTRALIA
Postal Address: Blue Mountains City Council Locked Bag 1005 Katoomba NSW 2780 AUSTRALIA
Telephone : +612 4780 5750
Type of Library: Joint use
Population served: 15,000
Project Type: New Building
Size: (square metres): 896m2
Date of Completion: November 2012
Architect: Building by Hassells Architects
Interior Design & Fitout by CK Design International
Childrens area with ‘3 Sisters seating’
Description With a panoramic vista as the backdrop, the Blue Mountains City Library opened the new Katoomba Library branch on Saturday 17 November, 2012.
Situated within the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, the Library boasts the best views of any Library in the southern hemisphere. With plenty of natural light and lots of comfortable spaces for diverse community activities, it is also the first new library to be built in the Blue Mountains for over 30 years. The design, developed by CK Design International, is elegant and spacious, taking advantage of the location to provide breath-taking views of the Katoomba Township and the Jamison Valley beyond.
Since the grand opening, there has been a steady stream of members and visitors, with new membership rates across the library network increasing by up to 87%. Fortunately, the new building has nearly 3 times more space to accommodate this increase! Numbers through the door doubled immediately and have continued to grow, month by month!
The new library includes adjustable meeting rooms, an inviting children’s area with specialised seating, and a mezzanine level with a brilliant view and lots of comfortable lounges allowing people to sit back and appreciate living in a World Heritage listed area. A laptop bench with plenty of access to power points and an increase in the number of computers available to the public have quickly proved themselves to be valuable aspects of the new library.
Meeting rooms host a number of events, from Author talks, to book launches, Poetry Slams, Children’s School Holiday activities, Storytimes, writing workshops, book groups and so much more. The Library has become an integral community hub.
If you haven’t had a chance to see this impressive new building yet, it is well worth a visit. Make a day of it and browse the library, tour the Art Gallery and Blue Mountains World Heritage Exhibition, get lunch or a coffee from the Cultural Centre Café.
The overall winner, and winner of the Education category, was the impressive design by CK Design International of the Katoomba Library. A playful and inspiring interior, the judges commented, “How wonderful that a public project was able to be created into a comfortable healthy space that feels like you are in your own living room. The coupling of green interior products and design in this public building enables an extended reach of education about sustainability.”
1001 Libraries to see before you die 