Library Facts and interesting quotes

I'm at home currently going through some paperwork I've collected over the year and have come across some interesting facts about Public Libraries and Librarians. These cam about from a session I attended at State Library and are relevant to our new library

• There are 334 library sites in Qld -- more than double the number of McDonald's Family Restaurants in the State

"Librarians must be innovators: creating new services, identifying community trends, helping communities develop for themselves" -- Chris Batt

"There is an almost universal perception that libraries are places where all people have right of access, regardless of their circumstances or backgrounds" -- Eva Cox

Libraries link people, technology and knowledge.

Libraries are designed as flexible spaces that can easily adapt to different activities and are welcoming spaces that attract a broad range of user groups.

The above quotes and messages are from a information brochure about the Key themes for Qld Public Libraries. These themes allow public libraries to build on their strenghts and to position their libraries for the future. These ideas, thoughts and themes have been considered when planning and designing our new library.

Skatebowl meeting

After a meeting with interested youth, a design and location has been decided for the new skatebowl. The site will be on the flat further south of the existing skatebowl.

Young people have had input into the new design.

Construction is expected to begin in january and it is hoped the new bowl will be built before the old one is removed to allow for construction of the new Library / Art Gallery and Trucking Museum.

Moving ahead

Library staff are excited to see in today's Gatton Star notificiation of the expression of interest for precinct. These expressions are for the

• Building Works Contract
• Bulk earthworks and alterations to sewer and stormwater mains

Both are required to be lodged by 12 noon on Thursday 10th January at NG Sanders and Associates.

We will soon be able to see some visual progress on the new site. As soon as anything happens, I will post some piccis on our blog.

Sue attends training

One of our library staff members, Sue is currently obtaining her Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training.

When Sue completes this course, we will be able to provide better training for our staff allowing for our knowledge and skills to be acknowledge under industry standards.

This training will potentially allow us to use Sue as a trainer when our new library is built, extending services to the general public. We envisage Sue will be able to take all the information she learns to create a positive and safe environment for everyone.

Skatebowl relocation

With the construction of the new Art and Cultural Precinct on the site of the current skatebowl, Gatton Shire Council is investigating designs for a new skatebowl to be built at Lake Apex.

Young people will have the opportunity to have their say about the design of this new skatebowl by completing a survey form.

Concepts for the new skatebowl can be viewed at the Lake Apex Visitor Information Centre where the survey form is also located. There are 3 design concepts one display at the Information Centre.

Once the feedback is collated, council expects construction to start early next year.

If you wish to talk to a council staff member about this, please contact Jason on 5462 4000.

Public Transport options already in place

Its with excitement that we announce that public transport options for the new library have already been implemented.

TransLink's Railbus have installed new stops at various locations within Gatton that will allow patrons to use public transport to get to the new library at Lake Apex.

The new stops are located at
Gatton Caravan Park (stopping both sides of the road)
William Street, near Larkin Street (stopping both sides of the road)
Opposite existing Gatton Tourist Information Centre on Lake Apex Drive.

These stops are additional to the existing stops at
Gatton Railway Station
Lake Apex Park on Western Drive (near Lockyer Farm Machinery)
Other stops outside of Gatton include
Rosewood Railway Station
Rosewood High School
Lanefield -- Rosewood-Laidley Road
Calvert -- Rosewood-Laidley Road
Grandchester -- Ipswich St opposite Grandchest Hotel
Laidley Pioneer Village -- Drayton St / Pioneer St
Mary Street Community Centre
Das Neumann Haus -- William St, Laidley
Gatton Laidley Rd (Opposite Telephone Sub Station)
Uni of Qld Gatton -- Near Administration Building
Grantham -- Near old National Bank Building
Helidon -- Near Helidon Store

For additional information please refer to TransLink

Questions about the new library

We've been talking to some regular library visitors who have been asking us about the new library. Some of the questions include:

Will the library be bigger?
Will we have more books to chose from?
Will I be able to have a cuppa when reading the newspapers?

The library will be much bigger than the existing library. There will be heaps of seats and space to sit and read. You will be able to have a cuppa while reading the paper or your favourite book. The cafe within the complex will offer a range of food and beverages.

Unfortunately the library book budget will remain the same however it will look like we have more books as we will have more space to shelve and display the items.

Visits to other libraries

Early in October I was required for my university course to attend a study visit of various libraries. Due to other commitments, I couldn't attend the Brisbane tour so I took the opportunity to go to Melbourne (to visit my sister and do the visits). This was a great opportunity to look at libraries not visited before. From this, I made many notes and took a few photos to bring back to everyone about things I liked and disliked about other libraries. All of us, (Linda, Sue and Myself) have been on the lookout for new and interesting ideas for your new library. If you have any ideas about what you would like in your new library, please let us know either by phone 07 5462 0370 or via email library@gatton.qld.gov.au We look forward to your imput.
Nic

Some time since last blog

Well, it has been some time since I last made an entry to this blog. Firstly I apologize for this and hopefully this won't happen again.

I was a little bogged down by a lack of enthusiasm to write something as there hasn't been a lot to report. The committee for the new library has been meeting regularly and have been busy working on plans. These change often so I have been reluctant to let you know how its all been going because they are in draft form and somethings I love and want to tell you about, get changed and I don't want to disappoint if its not included on the plan.

I was given a copy of the draft plan on Wednesday. The new building looks great and there is some nice spacious areas. Most things on our wish list are there including the drive-by returns and collections area (where you can return items or collect reservations without getting out of your car), study rooms for groups and big open spaces. This will allow us to have heaps of seating areas which is something that we really lack at the moment. The Art Gallery is still beside the library followed by some meeting rooms, the Cafe and the Transport Museum.

All looks great and the plans will be approved in the next little while. At this stage, if you would like to look at the plans, please contact Linda on 5462 0370.

Quiet! Libraries shelve old image

Recently, we became aware of the following article on the image of libraries.

http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/154271.html

We are considering these facts and many more new trends in planning our new library.

If you have any comments or ideas about what you would like in your new library, please don't hesitate to contact us at library@gatton.qld.gov.au

CONCEPT PLANS

Over the past few weeks, Linda and various council staff have had meetings with an architect. These have proved very fruitful as earlier this week, we were given preliminary copies of his design.

Since then, we have had a good look at the plans and come up with heaps of suggestions and ideas.

As mentioned earlier, the site for the new library is Lake Apex however the specifics have yet to be determined. With this in mind, we have been given a plan that will be adapted, depending on the actual location.

These concepts are hanging in the library so feel free to come in and have a look. We would appreciate any comments. Please email them to the library.

Inspiration

Library staff have been inspired to continue with preparations for a new library.

We are trying to create a library that meets the standards for today and a place for the future.

We recently were made aware of a quote by St Francis of Assisi. "Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible".

What a statement.

Meeting attended by approx 100 people

Thursday night's meeting was attended by approximately 100 people.

A presentation was made by Council and Library staff. This consisted of a PowerPoint slide show detailing

• Reasons for the new library
• Grant background
• Funding
• Cultural Precinct
• Observations
• Concept
• Cultural facilities required
• Added facilities and services offered in the Precinct
• Library Statistics
• State Wide Statistics
• Art Gallery Statistics
• Specific requirements for a modern gallery / museum
• Standards
• Specific requirements of a modern library
• Site criteria
• Benefits of site

Questions were asked throughout and at the end of the presentation.

Councillors call for attendees for public meeting

In today's Gatton Star, Crs Brennan, Logan, Bennett and O'Brien called for members of the public to attend tomorrow's public meeting at the Shire Hall. They stated that the "purpose of this meeting is to provide the residents of the Shire the opportunity to

a) better understand the reasons for the decisions already taken in respect to the Library / Art Gallery / Truck museum, and

b) provide feedback to the mayor and his councillors covering any concerns/support etc you may have in respect to the project.

These councillors invite and encourage all community members, whether you support or oppose the project, to attend and participate in this meeting.

The meeting will be held on Thursday 19th April at 7pm in the Shire Hall.

Council calls public meeting to explain library decision

Gatton Shire Council is holding a public meeting to provide residents of the Gatton Shire with information on the proposed new Cultural Precint, incorporating the Library, Art Gallery, Tourist Information Centre and Transport Museum, to be built at Lake Apex.

The meeting will be held at 7pm on Thursday April 19 at the Gatton Shire Hall, North St.

Checking out other libraries

On Tuesday, Linda and Nic visited several South East Queensland Libraries to get ideas for our new library. This was a successful trip with them visiting 4 different libraries. Many photos were taken of various features including pc stations, chairs, lighting, display areas, meeting rooms etc. These are some of the features we are looking for in our new library.

Wednesday saw Nic, Linda, Brad and Colin meet with an architect. We inundated him with ideas and our wishlist. Hopefully he will be able to fit most of it in within our allocated space and budget and at the same time create and iconic and spectacular building.

Media article in QT

Today there is nearly a full page article in the QT. This article has been written by Hannah Martin who attended the Council Meeting.

We believe this article has been well written and shows both sides of the coin in regard to site decision. There is also a smaller article and photos of some of the Local Senior Citizen members who oppose the library move.

We whole heartedly agree with what Cr Holstein said during the meeting, "A lot of elderly people don't like change, but I think if they could see the proposed facility...they would like the new library"

Funding Background

In 2006, Council applied for some funding from the Government's Q150 grant offer under their heading of "Reflect on our Past, Imagine our Future" grant to celebrate Qld's 150th birthday in 2009. This is a capital works funding program for communites throughout the state. The aim of this funding program is to create legacies to celebrate Queensland’s 150th anniversary since separation as a colony from New South Wales.

The allocation has been set aside for statewide significant projects. These projects must have demonstrated significance for all Queenslanders, be accessible by members of the public and be of benefit to the broader community. This is being offered for projects that demonstrate the vision of the celebrations “Reflect on our past, imagine our future”. Eligible capital works must leave enduring legacies of Queensland’s 150th anniversary to be enjoyed by current and future generations of Queenslanders. Projects may include cultural and recreational facilities that enhance community lifestyles, and new attractions to boost the local tourism industry.

Projects must be a permanent addition to the Queensland landscape and should reflect some aspect of the State’s rich history, people, places and future.

Gatton Shire was successful in obtaining $3 million under this funding scheme.

New Library site decided

At yesterday's council meeting, Councillor's decided that the proposed new library / art gallery / truck museum be at Lake Apex.

This is great news for the Gatton Shire and for library users