Section 1: About Ipswich Children’s Library
| Picture 1 Nicholas Street Precinct (Harris, 2023 |
The information agency that I attended for my professional placement was the Ipswich Children’s Library (ICL), located in south-east Queensland just 45-minutes shy of the Brisbane CBD. Opening in mid-2021, the ICL is Queensland’s first standalone library which specifically caters to patrons between the ages of 0-12 years (Brisbane Kids, n.d.). The library was created as an innovative and responsive solution to the needs of the Ipswich community, post-pandemic, as an attempt bring families back to the CBD; and as a part of the redevelopment of the city’s work, education, and leisure centres (City of Ipswich, 2021). The ICL was specifically placed in the centre of the CBD to help “activate” the space and to provide an area for families to socially connect (Reedie, 2021). The facility itself is fit for the digital age, offering a library experience which focuses on interactivity and engagement opportunities for young people to “learn, explore, and play” (Waters, 2021).
| Picture 2 New Additions and Popular Reads (Harris, 2023) |
| Picture 3 Wavy Wall (Harris, 2023) |
This carefully crafted space encourages children to touch, explore and engage with literature. Surrounded by the Nicholas Street Precinct main square and Ipswich River system; the floor to ceiling windows allow nature inside the library, creating a calming and welcoming environment; whilst the shelving and durable furniture have been chosen to reflect this nature, as well as the playfulness of children. Located on the ground floor of the council building, this library boasts wide aisles that are easy to navigate and allow the resources to be accessible for all. There are spaces designed for group readings (e.g., the Story Tree), activities, and special events, as well as silent reading nooks situated within the ‘wavy wall’. The ICL hosts a variety of programs for patrons to socially mingle, learn, and interact with. Alongside a variety of drop-in and holiday events, parents can register their children for weekly programs, such as Story Time, Toddler Time, Baby Rhyme Time, and Books and Blocks. The library also offers augmented interactive experiences (e.g., the Reef), a multi-touch interactive table hosting STEM games, and other interactive experiences (e.g., QR cards, and I Spy challenge). The central circulation desk, self-check-out bays, and return blades are all user-friendly. The library also has inviting and fully equipped parents’ room, secure outdoor area, study spaces, and bathroom amenities (Brisbane Kids, n.d.).
| Picture 4 The Reef (Harris, 2023) |
| Picture 5 QR Code example (Harris, 2023) |
| Picture 6 Catalogue Interface (Harris, 2023) |
| Picture 7 Returns Blades (Harris, 2023) |
| Picture 8 Self-Checkout (Harris, 2023) |
| Picture 9 The Story Tree (Harris, 2023) |
The collection itself is sorted into kid-friendly categories, such as: board books, picture books, levelled readers, graphic novels, multimedia, non-fiction, and fiction; with each category clearly marked by large-print signage partnered with supporting images. Even the catalogue interface is kid-friendly, utilising pictorial cues, simple formatting, touch screens, and large keyboards. The collection has been presented with little hands in mind, with book-bins located below the shelves and display easels used to highlight prominent reads. Thematic displays line the back walls, encouraging patrons to explore text-to-world connections. An example display includes the ‘50 before 5’ collection, where beneficial books have been identified for readers under five. In addition to the children’s collection, the ICL also has a small collection of parenting books available, and resources discretely located in the parents’ room (e.g., domestic violence outreach).
| Picture 10 Visual Cues (Harris, 2023) |
| Picture 11 DVD Collection (Harris, 2023) |
Overall, the ICL functions as part of a larger team which falls under the umbrella of Ipswich Council Libraries, with inter-library relationships between the Ipswich Central, Redbank Plaza, Redbank Plains, Rosewood, Springfield Central, and Karalee libraries.
References
Brisbane Kids (n.d.) Ipswich Children’s Library review. Retrieved from: https://brisbanekids.com.au/ipswich-childrens-library-review/
City of Ipswich (2021). Media Release: Opening date revealed for Ipswich Children’s Library and 1 Nicholas Street. Retrieved from: https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_council/media/media-releases/articles/2021/opening-date-revealed-for-ipswich-childrens-library-and-1-nicholas-street
Harris, M (2023). Images 1-11.
Ipswich Libraries (n.d.). Children’s Library logo. Image. https://www.ipswichlibraries.com.au/visit/childrens-library/
Reedie, J (2021). Australia’s First Dedicated Children’s Library Attracts Visitors to Ipswich City Centre, Architecture Design. Retrieved from: https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/ipswich-childrens-library-buchan
Waters, B. (2021). Ipswich First: Ipswich opens Australia’s first dedicated public children’s library. Retrieved from: https://www.ipswichfirst.com.au/ipswich-opens-australias-first-dedicated-public-childrens-library/