Council books a library upgrade
TOWNSVILLE’S library at Flinders St is getting a refresh with new carpets and new selfservice machine installed.
The library has been closed this week and is expected to reopen on Monday.
Townsville City Council Community and Cultural Development Committee chairwoman Colleen Doyle said popular under- five programs such as Toddler and Story time have been held at Pop Up Percivals during the upgrade.
“The Thuringowa and Aitkenvale libraries remain open during the upgrade of the Flinders St library,” she said.
Cr Doyle said it was nearly 20 years ago that the carpet at the library was updated.
“Of course it’s a big job to move all the books off the shelves, move all the shelving and other items, to rip out and install new carpet,” she said.
“But it has to be done and the council plans on doing the job as quickly as possible and with minimal disruptions to the community.”
Cr Doyle said included in the upgrade was replacing the carpet in the library’s stack with vinyl flooring.
“The stack is our main collections space in terms of reference material, historical documents etc,” she said.
“It is an important area because the city has a substantial collection that is worth preserving. Vinyl flooring is the best type of material for that area as it’s better in assisting with the preservation of the collection.”
Cr Doyle said the more selfservice machines would be installed in all three libraries in Townsville.
“The importance of that is it will free up our library staff so they can engage in a more hands- on way with library users,” she said.
“The self- service check out machines will free up library staff to take them out of the transactional model of engagement with our users and allow them to be more interactive with assisting people with their needs.”
Cr Doyle said libraries were universally recognised as being safe spaces and the Townsville community embraced its three libraries.
“Our libraries have something for everyone, in terms of offering workshops and programs for youth, for seniors and for parents,” she said.