If you read the headlines in this weeks Eastern Courier we (Council) is about to close the Goodwood Library. This is not the case. We are, as we are with all our services, reviewing the Library service we are providing our community.
After Council debated reforming our library services at last Mondays council meeting I find in reading this weeks Eastern Courier that we have decided to close the Goodwood Library. The article left me feeling I was not part of the debate on the night.
I was and I contributed to the debate. My understanding of what Council is looking to do is make our library services more relevant to the needs of today’s people. And part of the process of investigating this will be to come up with a number of models and to ask the community what they think.
For the benefit of those with an interest in our library services here are the motions the were approved on the night.
1 The Fullarton Park Library continue as a service point whereby library members can order resources on-line, and collect and return borrowed library materials from 1 July 2015. The Fullarton Park Library service point will no longer offer the small library collection for customer perusal.
2 Council supports the shift from “Community Computing” to a “Knowledge Hub” that includes the education in smart and specialist technologies that encourages sharing, creation and learning.
3 An investigation be undertaken to determine the feasibility and benefits of one service point for a Toy Library Service within the City of Unley, and discussions occur with the Goodwood Community Centre Board to explore potential efficiency gains and cost savings by September 2015.
4 An investigation be undertaken to determine the feasibility and benefits of one service point for a Toy Library Service within the City of Unley, and discussions occur with the Goodwood Community Centre Board to explore potential efficiency gains and cost savings by September 2015.
5 Administration investigate a number of alternative service delivery models to the current Library Service. This could include (but not be limited) to the provision of a new purpose built library at an appropriate location within the city, modifications to the existing library in the town hall, the provision of small library outlets in partnership with other organisations and the provision of additional pick up/ drop off facilities at locations across the city. As part of the investigation process, consultation occur with the community regarding the options investigated. A report of findings be presented to Council for consideration in January 2016.
So I ask are our libraries as we knew them when we grew up relevant to today’s’ society. With the technological world of today I think it is fair to say they aren’t. I am guessing many reading this would suggest they are obsolete and they should therefore be closed.
The author of the report has written a followup article after being challenged on factual inaccuracies and this is up on the Eastern Courier website if you are interested.