Gone are the days of “shooshing” at Redland Libraries, with the adoption today of Council’s new Library Services Strategy 2017-2022, which has a strong focus on creating welcoming multi-use spaces and providing innovative services, both on and off-site.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Redland Libraries were increasingly seen as facilitating community connection, not just at its three mainland and four island branches, but also other public venues accessed by the community.
“While the Redland Library branches provide a perfect central destination for the community, Council’s new strategy will also see the libraries become more innovative in how people can access them, with plans to get out and about to more events and festivals, nursing homes and community centres and parks and other public spaces,” Cr Williams said.
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“Redland Libraries’ ‘Connecting to you’ early literacy program, which sees the libraries get out to parks and deliver story-telling and book borrowing on picnic blankets under the shade of trees, has been extremely popular to date and we are keen to deliver more of these services that activate spaces that people are already in,” she said.
Mayor Karen Williams said that Redland Libraries is also looking closely at global trends and engaging in urban place making to develop its spaces for people to meet up to better connect, innovate and learn.
“In the same way that public open spaces provide a place to meet, socialise and connect with other parts of the community, Redland Libraries can provide safe and welcoming spaces for its visitors,” Cr Williams said.
“Both the Cleveland and Victoria Point Libraries have cafes, which are inviting spaces for people to meet up, but Redland Libraries are looking at building on this to create more contemporary and flexible meeting spaces that foster innovation and creativity.”
“Innovation is key in this strategy and as well as more quality spaces, we aim to provide technology, information, support and resources to also facilitate the development of new ideas that support positive social and economic outcomes for the community.”
“Part of this is introducing more self-service options, including 24-7 virtual borrowing and automatic check-out as you exit, to get our valuable library staff out and about as a resource within the community who are not tied to their desks.”
“While Redland Libraries is reviewing and modernising all its services and updating many books it will retain a focus on building its existing local history programs to ensure access to the rich heritage of the Redlands,” she said.
The new Library Strategy 2017-2022 will set the direction and establish priorities for Council’s library service for the next five years, which will see Redland Libraries deliver lively community spaces for its 54,350 visitors per month and provide lifelong learning and literacy opportunities for all members of the community.
