Libraries go “Troppo” in response to feedback

Published: 21 Aug 2019

Libraries have unveiled a series of user-friendly changes based on community feedback from more than 900 members.

One of those changes is a revamp of opening hours, including opening Gordon White Library on the second Sunday of each month (from 9am to noon) to tie-in with the popular Troppo Markets at Mount Pleasant.

Mayor Greg Williamson said residents also wanted to see Gordon White Library open earlier.

“Gordon White Library and Dudley Denny City Library will now open at 9am, Monday to Saturday, except on Thursdays, where they will open at 10am to allow for staff meetings, training sessions and branch maintenance tasks,” Cr Williamson said.

“They will now close at 5.30pm on those days also, and on Thursday night will remain open until 7pm,” he said.

A revamp of opening hours is just one of the changes being implemented after the 2019 Customer Satisfaction Survey.

Out of the 930 library clients who completed the survey, more than 95 per cent rated the library service as ‘good’ (14.89 per cent) or ‘very good’ (80.33 per cent).

Cr Williamson said libraries appreciated the feedback provided.

“Residents took the time to tell us they wanted lower overdue fees, changes to our opening hours, quieter spaces, more books, more online collections and more time on computers,” he said.

“We’ve listened, and our Libraries team have been quite innovative at Dudley Denny City Library by implementing a shelving project that will add 1500 items to the space and also dampen noise in the adult fiction areas.

“This equates to a five per cent increase in the collection at Dudley Denny City Library.

“We’ve removed overdue item and card replacement fees completely, increased online content by 30 per cent and introduced new digital platforms.

“We now offer free Wi-Fi in all branches and are looking at Wi-Fi options for the Mobile Library this year.”

The Mayor said Libraries were also launching some exciting new programs, including a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) Club for children aged 8 to 11.

“The club will offer a range of sessions like Lego play, coding challenges, science experiments, creative arts and mini Makerspaces,” he said.

“We also have a host of new and exciting programs for adults – from ‘Books and Beers’, an informative session on homebrewing, to STEAMin Seniors sessions that teach new skills to over 50s.

“For example, there are information sessions on how to build a CV and write a cover letter, navigate the digital world of employment, stream content on your TV and devices, 3D printing, robotics and social companion robots, virtual assistants and even virtual and augmented reality.”

To learn more, including the new opening hours for each branch, head to mackay.qld.gov.au/libraries