Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre

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,