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? sq 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 needs  Family Learning  Culturally diverse  An identified need to improve educational opportunities

Design Brief Best practice disability and family access principles adopted

Design Brief Green principles adopted throughout  Use of natural light  Reduced energy consumption  Innovative use of Technology to enhance access and service delivery

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!

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 ,244289% Loans44,95093,423208% New borrowers 2871,261439% Internet access hours 1,3415,002373% Program Sessions %

The Library's Vision The Learning Centre will:  Consolidate support for education and lifelong learning and focus on literacy  Support 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 Library Community 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,