Already by 8:55 am, a small crowd mills around outside the Springvale Library in suburban Melbourne, waiting for its doors to slide open. As the centre of this suburban community, the building sits easily in the centre of town, pedestrians bustling past. As I stare up at the low, brown and white building, I realize the structure has not changed since I was a child, and brings back memories of high school, when the quiet and comfort was a haven. As we enter, a wooden community noticeboard sits perched against the wall, packed with fluorescent announcements, heralding seniors and multicultural events, Type 2 diabetes information, missing dogs, authors visits and garage sales. The noticeboard is a nostalgic reminder of times-gone-by. Before the internet, the noticeboard was a pillar of every community, a chance to communicate the daily comings and goings of suburban life, and are becoming a rare sight.

The library’s four rows of computers are all occupied by 9:30 am, one of the most popular services at the library, and a marked change from when I frequented the library as a student. No longer relying on stuffy, antiquated traditions, the Springvale library is increasingly reaching out to the community, with new services to adapt to the needs of this changing community. In Springvale, a high immigrant population and low socio-economic status have their own specific set of needs, and the library has begun offering citizenship classes, an English language program and career counseling. The most radical change for libraries was the introduction of internet access during the 1990s according to Natalie Brown, Library Services Co-ordinator. As 60% of locals are of non-English speaking backgrounds, the computers even facilitate an English Language and Literacy Access program. Now a greater depth of information is available through the local library, and the increasing number of visitors reflects this change.

The Springvale library now offers other services too. As local public transport is spotty, many disadvantaged groups find visiting the library difficult. As such, even a home library service is offered, doubling in size in the last six months. It takes the service to playgroups and nursing homes, offering immediate borrowing services. Through books in English and other languages, various ethnic groups come to realise the value of the library. Today, the library reflects this multicultural mix, and adults of Asian and African and ethnic backgrounds are spotted around the library, reading and chatting easily. After school, these make way for groups of jostling secondary students.

As a teen, the library provided a safe and comfortable environment. At school I struggled socially, and home was sometimes tense. At the library there was peace and quiet. Locally, libraries provide a safe warm place to meet and to study. The elderly often choose the library over the pub or the pokies. The library provides space to study, resources to help with homework or assignments, access to computers and the internet. It is also a better place for young people to meet and hang out than a shopping centre, as no one will tell move them along.

The increased popularity of libraries is also a consequence of Australians simply becoming more educated. ABS statistics show that in 2007, 30.6% of 25-34 year olds held a bachelor degree or above. This is compared to 17.5% in 1997. “There are a growing proportion of Australians who are reading,” says Roger Coleman, Community Building Co-ordination. “Australia has a high ownership rate of books…but you can’t keep buying your own books all the time.”

Mixing the old with the new, local libraries are straddling the line between innovation and tradition. Fantastic new programs and services are allowing libraries to inspire, and stimulate communities like never before.

Thumbnail Image courtesy of Flippy Rice, Creative Commons.

Image above courtesy of Anita Morris.