Page 1085 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 20 March 1991
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Civic Library
DR KINLOCH: My question is addressed to Mr Duby, the Minister for Urban Services, and it relates to the area of libraries. The library that used to be in the South Building is now in East Row, and I am wondering how that library is going.
MR DUBY: I thank Dr Kinloch for the question. I think Dr Kinloch is referring to the Civic library which was actually located in the North Building. Of course, the Civic library has been moved from that location to East Row, and that occurred prior to Christmas - in late December last year. Since then it has been extremely well patronised, with between 700 and 1,000 persons a day utilising the library, compared with an average patronage of between 200 and 400 people per day whilst it was at the old location. Loans have at least doubled compared with those from the previous location in the North Building, and there is an average of 35 new borrowers and re-registrations each day at the new site. So I think it is fair to say that the move to East Row has proved to be a great success. It has proved to be a great advantage to people with disabilities who come to the library by public transport, now that they do not have to cross London Circuit.
As well, of course, Dr Kinloch, there is a significant increase in the number of elderly people who borrow heavily from the large print collection that is held there in the East Row collection. Most seating is filled during the lunch period, between 12 o'clock and 2 o'clock, and the periodicals and newspapers area is very heavily used. Another group which has benefited from the new location, going by usage, is that of students, both school and higher education. I am pleased to say that the main comments by people entering the building have been, "What a convenient site" and, of course, "What a beautifully decorated library this is". And they are delighted that the bus service is adjacent to the front door.
Mr Berry: How many say, "Good on Craig Duby"? Not many.
MR DUBY: You would be surprised, as a matter of fact, Mr Berry, just how many do say those very words. All in all, it has been an outstanding success and something that we are very proud of, because what we want to see, of course, is increased usage of the library services in the city. That is something that I think should be endorsed by all members of this Assembly and not ridiculed, as is being done by members opposite.
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