Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre – community learning hub

1. Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre – community learninghub

2. Overview and FAQ’s • Space? • 1397sq m over two floors with optimum disabled access including a lift • Collection size? • Only 20% larger - 25k but much larger emphasis on electronic access • Integrated Community Centre/Neighbourhood House • Commitment to lifelong community learning underpins philosophy • 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, multimedia, video surveillance, multi-channel advertising

3. 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 1,341 5,002 373% Program Sessions 40 163 401% MISSION STATEMENT Hobsons Bay Libraries will be a Gateway to knowledge, lifelong learning, increased opportunities and social support for all in Hobsons Bay. Information is the currency of democracy. — Thomas JEFFERSON (1743-1826)

4. Design Brief Community’s shared “living room”

5. Design Brief Reflect local community needs • Family Learning • Culturallydiverse • Need to improve educational opportunities

6. Design Brief Best practice disabilityand family access principles adopted Braille signage, lift, directional markers

7. Design Brief • Green principles adopted throughout • Use of natural light • Reduced energy consumption

8. Design Brief • Innovative use of technology to enhance access and service delivery

9. Design Brief Concept of the “ant farm” –sense of being outside and looking in - What’s happening in there? Can I come in? – encouraging – welcoming!

10. 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 a vibrant colour scheme • Use of RFID – more than doubled capacity with just over double the staff • The number and variety of programs offered • Improved profile of library services within community and Council

11. Technology • RFID • Security system inbuilt • Reduces manual handling – 3-6 items at a time • Enables capacity to handle large volumes of material and customers • Possibility for easier stock maintenance • Attraction of giving the community leading edge technology

12. 3M • Why 3M? • Staged implementation available to enable whole of service transition in our time. • Dual barcode and tag • Compatibility to existing library system • Leasing option, affordable • Tag durability and price

13. Planning Council commitment • Financial arrangements via third party • Insurance • Negotiated with Council IT Implementation • Testing with Library system vendor and IT • Testing for compatibility within Citrix environment • Looking at other working sites to establish clear picture of requirements both staff resources and hardware

14. 3M RFID • What has worked well with RFID • Implementation was quick and easy. • Worked in less than ideal network environment • Ease of use for both staff and customers • Graphics and sound • Languages • Tagging, programming and the ease of conversion

15. 3M RFID • What has worked well with RFID • Use of volunteers for conversion - 16k items from existing collection plus 5k of new items in 3 weeks • Staff support • able to develop staff champions with new staff • Not seen as a money saving exercise • Self serve – 40%

16. QUESTIONS