Colleen Bentzen, QPLA Secretary attended the Library Leaders tour of Redcliffe Library on Thursday 3 October 2024.
During the Queensland Public Library visits, a bus load of keen library staff took to the road to visit Redcliffe Library, Mitchelton Library and Everton Park Library.
Redcliffe Library is an older building, that has recently undergone a refurbishment. The whole building is designed to reflect the local area.
Outside the library is a an artwork called Skipping Stone, created by Hew Chee Fong in collaboration with L.M.Noonan. It is designed to fill with water during the summer storms, and represents the moment in time when a stone has been skipped over the water.
The red and white bricks that have been used symbolise the red cliffs of Redcliffe.
As you enter the library, to the left is a new 200 seat auditorium that can be used for talks and conferences. Redcliffe Library is also the first library in Queensland to include a Changing Places facility for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets.
Moving into the main area of the library, I noticed several things at once – how light and airy the entire space feels, the timber “boat hull” that runs through the centre of the entire library in recognition of the boats in the bay, and the use of the opaque corrugated plastic roofing that was a popular building material for patios in the 1980’s. These are original features, as are the louvres that will open at certain temperatures, allowing the bay breezes to cool the library without need for constant air conditioning. As the temperatures heat up, the louvres close off, and the users of the library get to appreciate the air conditioning instead – the best of both worlds!
Redcliffe Library’s makerspaces include a play area for all abilities sporting “magic tables”, a sewing studio, and tech area, all of which are well appointed.
The whole space has been beautifully and thoughtfully appointed, from the carpet which again was chosen to reflect the local area, to the use of timber throughout and the display of beautiful artworks by local artists dotted throughout the library.
If you are in the area I encourage you to stop in for a visit. You won’t be disappointed!
We extend our thanks to the amazing team at Redcliffe Library for the opportunity to tour this lovely space.