Working towards a 24/7 Library
In response to feedback from clients that they needed time in the Library before classes commenced at 8am, the Library trialed opening an hour earlier in semester one 2010. A limited service was offered from 7am to 8am but clients could access all floors, use computers and other facilities, make self-service loans and receive assistance from Library rovers.
The early opening was so popular with clients (around 300 people each day took advantage of the new hours in the trial period) that the 7am weekday opening continued.
To position the Library to further extend opening hours, a range of refurbishments were carried out in late 2010 to create a ‘microcosm’ of the Library on levels two and three.
The two floors were arranged to allow clients to access most of the high-use areas and services they needed: group study spaces, printers, scanners, copiers, computers and other technologies, a mix of formal and informal seating, comfortable areas in which to eat and drink, plus the reserve and reference collections.
The following year, semester opening hours were increased by a further eight hours a week. Using the limited service model described above, which provided clients’ access to levels two and three only, the Library was able to extend Friday night opening to 10pm and weekend opening to 6pm. (Effectively, the opening hours became Monday to Friday 7am to 10pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 6pm.)
Looking to the future
The next stage of the Library’s vision and action plan includes:
*A reconfiguration of spaces on levels two and three of the building, including entrances, the cafe and external areas, to make them more welcoming and appropriate for extended opening hours.
*Defining and developing different activity zones within the building including silent individual study, group study, presentations, training, consultation, socialising, and activities around the needs of specialised cohorts, with supporting technology as required. 9
*Development of spaces on levels five and six after the removal of two of the large compactus shelving units.
The reference and loans desk were co-located in 2007 to form an integrated service point on level two.
iZone, 2010.
Artist's perspective of level two, looking towards the east entrance with the new staircase linking levels two and three visible on the right.
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