New focus on modern regional libraries

Published 19 June 2014

The Moreton Bay Region’s network of council libraries will be transitioned in coming months to include a new focus on modern regional facilities in the region.

Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Lifestyle and Amenity spokesperson Cr Julie Greer said as council continued its multimillion dollar investment in modern, new regional libraries; some smaller, less sustainable libraries would need to close.

“Council is continually reviewing its network of libraries to identify opportunities for service enhancement and efficiency,” Cr Greer said.

“We have identified that some libraries in our network have limited options for ongoing investment and expansion due to their size and current leased arrangements.”
As a result the Kallangur and Narangba libraries will be transitioned to nearby facilities in coming months with Kallangur Library closing from October 10 and the Narangba Library closing from October 31.

The services currently offered at Narangba and Kallangur will be available from larger nearby libraries with increased capacity including Burpengary Library and the new North Lakes Library expected to open at The Corso in September.

Cr Greer said the new North Lakes Library would be a $30 million modern facility with more than 2000m2 of floor space.

“The new library is a key feature of the $45 million new community precinct at The Corso at North Lakes,” Cr Greer said.

“With construction well underway on this project, the community will soon be able to enjoy more than 65,000 collection items, 55 PCs for public access, training rooms, a reading terrace and dedicated study areas.

“Experience shows that as new regional facilities come on board, some residents opt to visit bigger regional facilities instead of smaller surrounding libraries.”

“Membership at the new Caboolture Library at The Hub increased by 30 per cent in two years and a similar experience is expected when the new North Lakes Library opens later this year.”

Beachmere Community Library will also transition to a mobile service from July 31.

The new mobile library will visit Beachmere regularly and provide a 50 per cent increase in the number of books, magazines, DVDs and other items available for borrowing.

There will be no reduction in staff numbers. The staff from Narangba and Kallangur libraries will be moved to other council libraries.