07 April 2015

Goodwood Library Services under review

Contrary to the article in the current Eastern Courier Goodwood Library is not about to close. However, the recent report put to Council did outline some cost savings and service improvements that could occur as the service was reviewed. It is the Council's preferred position that cost savings be investigated and I think we all realise that library services have changed dramatically this century and are likely to continue to do so. It is possible that Goodwood Library could manage in a smaller floor area and that duplication of the toy library service is unnecessary. Even when I used this service myself it seemed to be over serviced.  Proposals that staff raise should be investigated and as they look at the issues and level of service that our Community want any changes will be made in consultation with the Community.
However, the small service that is operated at Fullarton will close and be replaced with a  portal where books can be ordered and collected. Not sure how this will go with the less than tech savvy oldies that use this facility. It was not something I supported.
I also have serious concerns about even considering building a purpose built library when the libraries we have seem more than adequate.  Repurposing the existing heritage listing building on Unley Rd should not be something too difficult for Council when we expect our constituents to reuse existing commercial building and houses that are heritage zoned and/or listed  in new and innovative ways.

7 comments:

  1. Please don't let them close Goodwood Library.
    I use it. My kids use it. And my grand kids have started to use.
    It is very popular, especially with kids after school.
    Please keep it open.

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  2. Thank goodness for that Jenny. The library is a valuable, irreplaceable part of our community - well used, well loved, and, hopefully, well left alone by the bean counters.

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  3. Our family of four make regular use of the library, the kids visit it often to choose books and use some of the other facilities. It would be a great loss

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  4. We probably only need one library and the one on Unley Road was purpose built to serve our community not too many years ago on the long tem scale. Why would the council not continue to use the heritage listed building instead of going to the expense of building another one somewhere.

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  5. There are some active links now in a more recent blog, hope they are useful?

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  6. There are some active links now in a more recent blog, hope they are useful?

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  7. The current Goodwood Library is heavily used and very convenient for those of us who live in the west of the Unley area. Not all Unley facilities have to be located on Unley Road and more people driving over to park there would cause more congestion with the already limited parking. Since there have been nice shops opposite the library vacant and/or constantly changing hands for years, renting out the shop front area is unlikely to work, and parking in this area too is becoming a problem given the proliferation of cafes next to the library. I don't think toys are needed given the cheapness of toys these days and I also don't think the library has to be a child minding centre, though I understand it is important to attract children to get them into the habit of borrowing.

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