Ipswich City Council’s Karalee Library Pod has been shortlisted for a coveted 2021 Australian Library Design Award.
The awards celebrate design excellence in new and refurbished libraries across Australia.
The innovative self-service library pod which allows Ipswich Libraries members to use a mobile phone or library card to browse, borrow and return books is nominated in the Public Library category.
Mayor Teresa Harding said council was delighted that the innovative installation had been shortlisted in the prestigious awards and that the city is being recognised for its state-of-the-art library facilities.
“System innovation, enhanced service consideration and meaningful community outreach; this is the 21st century approach behind the Karalee Library Pod,” Mayor Harding said.
“The pod was the first of its kind and it has been a tremendous success in terms of uptake and community reception for the City of Ipswich.”
The Karalee Library Pod has processed more than 19,000 loans and 20,000 returns and almost 1,300 Ipswich Libraries members have been regularly using the pod over its 17 months.
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said the uptake demonstrated how important it was for the community to have access to a diverse range of library services.
“We are excited that this project, with its focus on innovation, enhanced service delivery and meaningful community outreach, is being considered by the Australian Library and Information Association in the Public Library design category for this year’s awards,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
Located at Karalee Shopping Village, the library pod aims to break down accessibility barriers to bring Ipswich Libraries’ curated collections to more of the community by placing them in a popular community hub.
Winners of this year’s awards will be announced at the 2021 Changing Spaces Library Design Awards Conference on Thursday, 18 March 2021.
For a full list of libraries shortlisted for this year’s awards visit www.alia.org.au
