East Melbourne Library
Type (public, special, law): Public
Open to the public: Of course!
Opening hours: Mon: 12pm-6pm, Tues: 1pm-8pm, Wed: 10am-6pm, Thu: 1pm-6pm, Fri: 1pm-6pm, Sat: 10am-2pm
Number of staff: 5
Describe your collection
As well as providing the traditional collections found at most public libraries like fiction and non-fiction for all ages, reference materials and support for languages other than English like bilingual picture books, this branch also has a specific focus on the environment thus housing a comprehensive Sustainability Collection. The branch also caters for Manga and Graphic novels, DVDs, CDs, collections in Vietnamese and Chinese, language learning kits, and magazines. Another strong aspect to this library’s collection is the material which supports the Home Loan Service, as run from this branch, so there is a wide range of talking books and large print books on shelf.
What technologies do you use?
At this stage we use a dinosaur of a system, but with much planning and organizing by the Management Team we will be installing a new ILMS in early 2008. We have a website which supports the Melbourne Library Service as a whole:
www.citylibrary.org.au. At this stage the youth page is currently under re-development and should provide more interactive, user-generated content and library support. The library also has access to a variety of online databases, free with a library card barcode log-in, and will be initiating YourTutor in early 2008.
What’s unique about your collection?
With the building having been constructed with the environment in mind (it earned a 6 star building rating in 2007) the Sustainability Collection and aspects of the library itself (like being a permanent showerhead swap location and having a worm farm on site) is one which makes East Melbourne Library quite unique. Also, the bilingual picture book collection is a fantastic way to learn, teach or investigate the many languages of the world as these stories cater to many languages, including the lesser studied languages like Kurdish or Tagalog. Lastly, as also noted above, the Home Loan Service is supported by a large collection of talking books and large print books which caters to many people who cannot visit the library themselves.
Who are your clients/patrons?
This particular branch caters to a broad range of users. There is a large contingent of young children (just come on a Wednesday morning during story-time hour to see the evidence) and their families, the Home Loan Service users, retirees, workers, local residents from the East Melbourne area and every one else in between. Just like the other two libraries in the Melbourne Library Service, people from varying economic, socio-cultural backgrounds utilize the same space for multiple reasons.
Do you have archival material?
There is a Local History collection at this branch with a well organized, well lit and spacious room dedicated to such research.
How do your clients/customers use your library and what services do you provide?
East Melbourne Library has a wide range of services, programs and events occurring throughout the year. There have been many author talks, children’s events, choir performances, visits from local schools, crèches and kindergartens, whole Saturdays dedicated to an event (like Chinese book launches with food, dancers and music) and special holiday happenings. Users find these programs and events quite engaging, but also use the library in a traditional, but more contemporary context: a place for reading, writing, accessing the internet and meeting with friends and family. One can play chess on the gigantic sized chess board or connect to the net using their own laptops with free WiFi access. In the very near future patrons will be exposed to ‘Acoustica,’ a live music program as currently running at City Library and regularly scheduled art showings in the ‘gallery’ space.
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