TechNique: January 2006

QLD CSU LIS student meet and greet library tours

A beautiful day greeted the seven LIS students that had decided to embark on a library tour journey starting at Pine Rivers Shire Pathways Library at Northlakes, moving to Redcliffe Library and finishing with University of the Sunshine Coast Library at Sippy Downs.

Much caffeine was gulped at our meeting destination of Muffin Break, Westfield Northlakes. Directly across the road is Pathways Library. Having only opened late last year, the library has a freshness about it. Perhaps the use of natural light and open spaces, resulted in a calming feeling - even though the busy shopping centre was close by. Pathways Library is a part of the Pine Rivers Shire Library services. Pathways is a multi-purpose community facility combining a new state-of-the art library, leisure centre, education and training centre, village-green and meeting and function spaces. The staff have adopted a strong customer-focus which made the visit all the more welcoming.

A short drive landed us in the seaside suburb of Redcliffe and saw us visiting another relatively new library, Redcliffe City Library. Fellow Charles Sturt University BALIS student, Narelle Jackson, kindly offered her first day of long service leave to provide us with an informative tour of her library. Redcliffe Library is environmentally sound, using natural light and contours to utilise as much of sunlight as possible. It has its' own weather station, which controls the automated louvers which will open when the temperature drops to a certain level. Air-conditioning vents come up from the floor to allow for a climate that is book friendly. The library's architecture is based on Redcliffe's famous red cliffs. This gives it a personal touch for the community who uses it.

By this stage of the day, lunch was a necessity before the 45 minute drive to University of the Sunshine Coast. A lunch venue was sought and we picked a caf&eactute; with the best view of the ocean. Although the wind caused the umbrella's to become lethal objects, it was an enjoyable break.

Another architecturally new library greeted us in the form of University of the Sunshine Coast. Situated 20 minutes from the beach, the library has encapsulated the use of natural light and beachy themes. The deck leading into the library, has the beach sidewalk feel, and the spaces within allow students and staff to relax in a serene habitat with palm trees swaying in the sea breeze outside. Information desk staff member, Sam, kindly gave her time to give us a tour and overview of the library. They use LC classification and have since expanded the collection into the neighbouring building. The student population continues to grow and as the library is still relatively small for a university library, the staff are quite close-knit. From a personal perspective it was interesting to learn that due to the size of the student population, a lot more one-on-one training occurs, rather than the formal information literacy classes that happen at QUT.

With the library tours over, the participants found time to share study hints and seek advice from each other before departing home to Brisbane.

Sharon Uthmann, QUT Library, CSU LIS student