Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre

– community learning hub

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

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)

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%

Design BriefCommunity’s shared

“living room”

Design BriefReflect local community needs

Family Learning

Culturally diverseNeed to improve educational opportunities

Design Brief

Best practice disability and family access principles adopted

Braille signage, lift, directional markers

Design Brief• Green principles adopted throughout

Use of natural lightReduced energy consumption

Design Brief 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!

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

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

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

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

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

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%

QUESTIONS