Visitors to Cleveland Library will now have the latest in international current affairs at their finger-tips with the opening of its innovative new World News Lounge on Saturday.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said that the refurbishment of the Cleveland Library is part of Council’s Library Strategy 2017-2022, which has a strong focus on creating welcoming multi-use spaces and providing innovative services.
“The World News Lounge is part of Cleveland Library’s refurbishment to improve access and useability of the Library’s resources and spaces,” Mayor Williams said.
“The World News Lounge, located in the front section of the Cleveland Library, will house magazines and newspapers, have tables with tablets for public use to access news online and a large TV screen with news programs.”
“The Cleveland Library World News Lounge is a one-stop-shop for current affairs and is open just in time to help people keep up-to-date on all the Commonwealth Games action in air-conditioned comfort,” Cr Williams said.
Mayor Williams said that Redland Libraries had been looking closely at global trends and engaged an urban place maker for the Cleveland branch refurbishment to help create a flexible space adaptable to future change.
“Libraries are increasingly being seen as facilitators of community connection so in the same way that public open spaces provide a place to meet and socialise, the Cleveland Library refurbishment aims to provide a safe and welcoming space for members of the community to better connect, innovate and learn,” Cr Williams said.
“There is pressure for Libraries to house many diverse spaces to accommodate people with different needs and uses, from parents of young children to small business owners,” Cr Williams said.
“Council’s aim is make sure that Redland Libraries house liveable and engaging spaces that enable lifelong learning and literacy opportunities for all members of the community,” she said.
The Cleveland Library refurbishment has seen the opening of the World News Lounge at the front of the Library, formerly the History and Heritage section. The History and Heritage section is now ideally located in a quieter space next to the atrium near the Genealogy area.
Other improvements from this refurbishment include:
- A new quiet study space along the eastern wall of the Library
- A new co-working area for meetings or social gatherings in the coffee-lounge space at the back (near the children’s section so all noise is kept to one area)
- A new collection layout, with more books on display, to improve useability for clients