Showing posts with label Rockdale Library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rockdale Library. Show all posts
Rockdale Library Tour
Rockdale Library Tour
Last Tuesday I went on a tour of Rockdale Library which was
promoted organised through ALIA.
The tour was led by Paula and she was able to give us a look
at the behind the scenes as well as the main library area.
Some points of interest that came from her talk.
- · People don’t read signs and yet signage was very important. They are finding that they need different signs to what they thought they needed. The community have requested better signage as they couldn’t work out what to do. They will be changing some of their signs.
- · Flexibility of shelving was very important. They are wanting to moving things around now after being open for 10 months and their shelves are not on wheels. In hindsight movable shelves would have been a better option.
- · They are going cashless but have had to keep a register as it is a slow process of transition for the community. They have had to transition to self-checking and “one desk” so it’s been a huge learning curve for the community.
- · Things haven’t gone to plan. Technology has not been what they expected and things they thought would be on the go when they opened are still being implemented. This has been a good thing as it means the patrons have had time to grow accustomed to each new procedure as it becomes available.
- · Their cashless photocopier/printing system has been a success however the company has gone into liquidation so they will have to look for another when this one dies (and it is already having issues)
- · They went from seeing 500 customers a day to now seeing 1500-2000 per day.
- · The central location of the library was an issue. There was a push to move it away from the main street however it was passed through council by one vote! Since then the library has brought people back to Rockdale’s CBD. Developers are even using it as a selling point.
Some things that I noticed
- · Being purpose built meant they had a say in the layout, form and function of every part of the library.
- · It was an art space and it promoted the local community through art works and lighting.
- · Their information desk was one desk. It had space for seated assistance and standing as well. It was circular with standing on one side and seated at a dropped section the other.
- · The shelf labels were large and clear, understated colours and similar to bookshop labels.
- · Very small Non-fiction collection.
- · Soft carpet! Comfy chairs and lots of different types of seating.
- · The decorative elements were truly beautiful.
Ground level
Council desk
This desk services
the council and people can pay rates etc here. After 4:30 it becomes part of
the library space. At the time a new
English speakers group was using it. So
the photo does not show the whole area. Because the council desk was part of
the library, people could read the paper of browse while waiting to be served.
Quick Picks
These shelves are all around the main entrance on the lower
floor. New books displayed with areas for different age groups/readers.
Different seating options
These long tables were against the windows facing the
highway. There were usb charging points on each table.
These chairs are the most comfortable and they swivel.
These chairs are part of the children’s storytime area. On
the back are children’s book shelves.
These barstools were in the newspaper area.
One Desk
There were 2-3 staff on when I arrived and they were moving
about constantly. Going into the returns room for items, helping people,
helping us. There were three terminals, one seated and two standing.
They practise roving and have i-pads. There LMS is not
web-based so they are still limited in that way but it is on the cards.
Requested items
Swipe your card and it tells you which bay your item is in.
No paper slips required (except people didn’t read the signs and tried to
borrow them so slips are used again!)
The returns chute...
which checks in the items. (This was not
always functioning so they do recheck-in items)
Returns check-in pc. Items are colour coded so when an item
for a different branch is checked-in the item is highlighted in a different
coloured bar. (There was also a little picture of a truck!)
The children’s reading nook
This is such a lovely place and has been very successful.
They have found that the children use it pretty much as it was designed with
kids curling up in the hidey holes and reading.
Interactive floor
The storytime area
There is a screen tucked between the seats. The back of the
seating is shelving for children picture books.
Children’s computers
Printing, copying, scanning and faxing.
There was a card reading machine to scan your credit/debit card to pay for printing/scanning...
YA area
Signage
The non fiction collection has been kept small and they have concentrated on popular genres/topics. The signage makes it look a little like a book store.
Study rooms.
There are rooms which seat up to 6 people and larger rooms
like this (out of focus) one.
Local Studies
File boxes and other containers are all alike. It makes for a lovely uniform look.
More seating around the local studies area.
With an interactive touch screen viewer for collections and exhibitions.
They had a collection of photos of the library service through the years.
Art and Design
The timber work is beautiful and is a theme throughout the building.
Stephen Michael King donated some art works and designed the children's self check stand with images from Snail and Turtle.
These lights all have different themes depending on where they are. this is from the YA area. The Local Studies had pictures of old houses, the kids area had plants and animals.
Events area
Can be divided into three rooms or one large one. It is used
for Makerspace events, HSC study, as evidenced by the bin… as well as other
events. They had their staff Xmas party up there.
View from the balcony
It was really eye opening seeing this library from the point of view of the librarians. They were very happy with it but could still see problems here and there.
Ingrid
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