Proposed new library
A group of us gathered at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) , Signadou campus Monday 24 October 2016 to visit the interim library. ACU Canberra is transitioning to a new library building but until that happens some contingency measures have been put in place. Helena Zobec the campus library manager lead a tour of the interim portable library building . This building was needed so space could be freed up for the nursing labs and to house a growing collection. The collection has been accommodated well in this “big shed “ of a demountable and an airlock corridor put in place to link the library access and computer labs to the demountable building.
Helena told us of the challenges in moving the collection into the demountable to make sure it was in the correct Dewey order when reshelved and the issues faced when using a demountable building that is poorly insulated and can be very hot in summer. She recounted how these issues had been managed and to some extent overcome to make the best use of the interim building. Helena also told us of the challenges of planning for the new multi-use building that is being designed to house both the library and to service other uses. The new building will be a joy to work in for library staff and well used by the students, offering space to expand the collection, private and group study areas and more room for the information commons areas. What was interesting was that the new library will at long last have a separate tea room for library staff who currently eat at their desks or in the rose gardens if the weather is fine. It was an enjoyable library tour and I was glad I had gone along to see the interesting architecture of the former convent building on the campus..
Helen Zobec Canberra Campus Library Manager
