Transforming Busselton library into a world class learning centre will solve the issue of restricted learning opportunities currently faced by community members of all ages. Families, students, seniors and visitors to Busselton would benefit from a new library that is planned as part of the Community Civic Precinct Project. A strategic plan for the library has been developed over the past year and is out for public comment until 12 September 2008.

The City of Busselton's Executive Manager of Systems & Information, Cathryn Hutton said "Population growth, technology and changing expectations have changed the way libraries operate, transforming them into community and information centers. Busselton is a regional gateway to the South West giving us an opportunity to meet increasing demand for facilities that provide lifelong learning, latest technology, and larger book and local studies collections for people throughout the Shire and visitors".      Libraries are fast becoming places for people to meet, work and enjoy a vast array of activities. Similarly, libraries around the world are being co-located with other cultural, education and civic institutions. The advertising of the Library Strategic Plan is the culmination of extensive research and consultation which involved a wide range community groups.  

The Busselton Library Manager, Carol Anderson said  "We want people to know what they can expect in a new library. Our population growth over 10 years from 1996 was a staggering 43 per cent and the community still has a building that was designed to meet the needs of the community in 1991". "We don't have enough space to provide the basic facilities the community needs, as well as what is expected under the accepted Guidelines and Standards for Australian Libraries. We are struggling to accommodate for people in wheelchairs and gophers, yet they are entitled to access the library. All ratepayers in the City of Busselton have the right to state-of-the-art facilities to assist them in their work and cultural pursuits."  

The Shire has been approached by sight-impaired people requesting listening posts so they too can listen to stories and read newspapers and books in an audio format. New mothers' groups visiting the library with their babies in prams are also keen for a meeting place to access library facilities.  These issues, as well as the changing community requirements and aspirations for the future of library services have been addressed in the Library Services Strategic Plan.  A pivotal recommendation from this plan is the construction of a new library building co-located with the administration and community resource centres.   

The new library would be three times the current size, offering:  

• 25 public internet terminals to replace the existing five;
• Teen zone with LCD screens with listening post, play-stations, and hang-out lounges, internet access for LAN parties;
• Soundproof family zone for activities and sharing stories;
• Greater range and increased book stock - latest formats, more magazines;
• Self check stations alleviating queues;
• Community events attracting up to 200 people, such as "Meet the Author" sessions, which can't be held at present due to restricted space;
• More word processing workstations for homework.

This new facility would also allow the youth of the community to be able to choose whether to stay and study in Busselton and Dunsborough via podcast lectures, rather than moving away from home to pursue tertiary courses and incurring added costs. Online access to databases would help them with their studies, as well as providing opportunities at the secondary education level and supporting life-long-learning. Improved facilities and additional staff would offer regular training and information sessions on computer use and internet navigation. Larger local studies collections and archives would see an increase in technology to support research into the rich and colourful history of Busselton. More workstations and microfilm viewing stations would provide greater capacity for research into family history.  More shelving space would allow the development of larger collections of books, DVDs, audio books, music, newspapers and magazines.  Quiet study spaces for students and reading areas for other library users would also be provided. This would include separate soundproof areas for study groups and story time sessions will mean that the general library will have a quieter atmosphere.

Busselton Library Manager, Carol Anderson said "Our vision is for a library that will be the catalyst for bonding community members by bringing them together in a huge array of activities. A library is no longer a place that lends books to ratepayers - it is the learning and working place of the future."

Community feedback on the Library Strategic Plan is welcomed.  Copies of the Library Strategic Plan are available from the Busselton and Dunsborough Libraries, Shire Administration and from the Shire website pages on the Busselton Central Library.