Coffs Harbour Cultural and Civic Space Project Update
June 2020

Hi all,

We’ve had another busy month helping to design the new Cultural and Civic Space building. In architect’s terms, design is an ‘iterative’ process, which means the council working groups and the design team communicate back and forth, both internally and with each other, asking for more information, clarifying and refining the design until the building is 80% designed and construction can begin. The building is not quite at that point yet, but we are another month closer.

There are some sections in the building where we need the help or feedback from the community, so over the next couple of weeks, council staff and BVN are meeting with key groups to help inform design. Those groups include local teens to help design the furniture and fit-out of the youth space, the Disability and Access committee on issues related to access, and representatives from the Aboriginal community on some exciting public art and design features in the new building.

We are thrilled at how the new building is developing, bringing community, art and culture together in a completely unique-to-Coffs building.

Until next time, read on for library grant good news and a new take on the benefit of public libraries for young people.

The Project Office team.

Image: The new Marrickville Library (one of 3 BVN projects up for a 2020 Australian Architecture Award) with very cool furniture and fit out.
Photographer: Tom Roe

Public Library Infrastructure Grant for the Cultural and Civic Space

The Cultural and Civic Space project has recently received a $500,000 Public Library Infrastructure Grant from the NSW State Library, to be used towards the internal fit-out and furniture for the new central library.

Administered through the State Library of NSW, the Public Library Infrastructure Grant program is for projects that assist NSW councils to improve public library infrastructure, including buildings and information technology systems.

The new library will be a wonderful community resource for Coffs Harbour residents, providing meeting spaces, learning and study facilities, a digital studio, maker space and a youth space as well as increased room for library collections and extra public PCs and printers.

Question: Why do young people need a public library when our schools have libraries and they use the internet for research?

Answer: One of the fundamental principles of public libraries is the notion of equity: that all people should have equal and equitable access to knowledge and information regardless of where you fit (or don’t fit) in society.

Most new libraries include a specially designed youth space, because young people use libraries differently than other users. Youth spaces in libraries often feature different types of furniture, the latest in technology and gaming and easy access to the kinds of books which young adults love, like science fiction, fantasy, mystery and graphic novels.

Public libraries provide spaces and programs as well as recreational, digital and technological tools and resources for young people. Importantly, these spaces also have places to study, access to PCs, free Wi-Fi and places to plug in a device. For many young people, a public library is not a not just a ‘nice thing to have’ but an essential service.

In the new central library being designed for the Cultural and Civic Space, the young adult section is located alongside the new digital design studio and maker space. There is a combination of private study spaces and more communal public spaces to hang out, do homework, play games and chat.

We are looking forward to working with teens in the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area to help create a space that fits their brief – after all, young people are the experts on their own needs.

The project team will continue to provide you with timely updates on the Cultural and Civic Space project.

To talk to a member of our project team email us at ccsproject@chcc.nsw.gov.au or call us on 66484198