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Development & Building

Library Relocation Project

Berri Public Library Relocation Project

Project Description

The Berri Barmera Council has been asked by the Department for Education, Training and Skills to vacate the current Kay Avenue library site by the end of September, 2022. Although the library is a joint-use facility, with a 50/50 sharing arrangement between the Council and the Berri Regional Secondary College (BRSC), the building is owned by the Department for Education, Training and Skills and it is required to ease space constraints at the newly formed Berri Regional Secondary College.

In order to accommodate this request the Berri Barmera Council is investigating options to relocate its public library elsewhere in Berri. The property Council acquired at 29 Riverview Drive, Berri is one option being considered for either temporary or long-term establishment of the library. Designers have been engaged to check the suitability of the building as a public library and community space and once the report is received by Council and depending on the outcome, a public consultation process will follow.

In the meantime, the Council CEO, Dylan Strong, has written to the Minister for Education, Training & Skills to request an extension to the 30 September deadline. The initial reply from the Minister requested further time for them to formulate a reply and as at August 2022, Council is awaiting a response.

Whilst it will be sad to see an end to the joint use library that has served the community for so well over the last 23 years, the needs of the remaining two joint use library partners have now changed and what is being proposed will enable Council to provide a dedicated library service to their community and also give the BRSC an education presence on Kay Avenue, which is a main thoroughfare in Berri.  Council looks forward to liaising with the community to create a new, accessible and dynamic space that meets their information needs.

UPDATE - February 2024

Due to the upcoming requirement for the Berri Library to relocate due to space constraints of the Berri Regional Secondary College, Berri Barmera Council is relocating the library to our vibrant new space.

The move is not just about shifting books, it’s about embracing change, fostering community spirit and creating a library and community hub for everyone.

In mid-2023, Council sought expressions of interest to participate in the Library Services and Community Space Advisory Group. From the expressions, a group was formed incorporating a cross section of users, community members and Councillors. This group has been pivotal in providing input into the future of the space and have recently taken up the opportunity to visit three metropolitan libraries to look into the future of library design, and how ideas can be incorporated into creating community spaces.

The current library on Kay Avenue has served as a cherished home for our community for 25 years, and Council expresses a heartfelt gratitude for the memories and shared experiences in providing a library service in partnership with Berri Regional Secondary College.  However, as Council eagerly anticipates the opportunity to step back into the town centre and enjoy the river location at Riverview Drive.

The new space is not just a library, it is poised to become a thriving community hub. Council envisions a place where people of all ages can come together, learn, create and connect.

Throughout the move and the subsequent decommission and rebuilding of a new community space, Council is committed to maintain access to library services as much as possible.

Council has been liaising with the architect and builders to ensure the features and amenities in our new community hub will meet the needs of our community.

Once the internal structure has been decommissioned, redevelopment of the building will take place prior to fit out.  Council anticipates that this process will take until late-2024.

We look forward to sharing more details about the exciting features and amenities our new library and community hub once detailed designs are complete.  Council is confident that the upcoming changes will serve the needs of our community and contribute to the ongoing revitalisation of Riverview Drive.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

UPDATE - January 2024 - Berri Library Services Survey Results

With input from the Library Services and Community Space Advisory Group (LSCSAG) the Berri Barmera Council developed a Berri Library Services Survey that was conducted in late November 2023. The survey ran for 2 weeks, from 17 November to 1 December and 93 responses were received.  The purpose of the survey was to determine what services and collections library users valued in the current library and what they might like to experience in a new library space.

Analysis of the survey results showed that existing library users value the SA OneCard library system very highly and that despite the advent of digital eBooks and audiobooks, many users still accessed the library to borrow traditional printed books.  When asked about services that they might like to see included with a new library, many respondents wanted a gallery, museum or multi-purpose spaces to be included.  A more detailed report on the survey results is available here

Engagement Period: Friday 17 November to Friday 1 December 2023.

With the relocation of the Berri  Public  Library to 29 Riverview Drive, Berri, Council is using this opportunity to seek feedback from the community on existing and potential future library services across Berri and Barmera.

This engagement is focused on understating community needs and the importance of library services, that are dynamic and accessible to the community.

Please see hard copy submission form or complete the survey online https://forms.office.com/r/1CYWC509mg

Community Consultation

A community consultation process will take place and involve the Library Working Group, stakeholders and existing Berri public library users.

The Council plans to survey residents and library customers about their views on the library relocation project.

Council will commence community consultation once a report on options for the relocation of the Berri Public Library is presented and a suitable revised timeline for the public library to move from the existing Kay Avenue site is available.

Project Progess Update  - 3 August 2023

Providing input about Berri’s planned Riverview Drive library is the top priority for six locals selected as members of a new council advisory group.

Group members were selected from a strong field of 10 nominees for Berri Barmera Council’s new Library Services and Community Space Advisory Group.

The body is broadly aimed at examining and guiding requirements for the district’s community library services, plus future planning of a community hub.

However, its major immediate focus is providing input into the planning and development of the proposed location of Berri’s Public Library at 29 Riverview Drive.

The library will vacate the Kay Avenue facility it currently shares with the Berri Regional Secondary College by the end of December 2024.
Council commenced the formation of its Library Services and Community Space Advisory Group in May, calling for nominees from the community.

The six chosen will form the committee alongside two elected members and two council administration staff, including one library staffer.

Council says members were chosen to provide a broad cross-section of the community, plus different areas of experience and expertise.
The group’s community members are: Anne Chase, Stephen Whitehead, Michael Barnett, Helen Barney, Nicola Angouras and Coen Rover.

“We were very pleased with the group of people who put their name forward and we thank them all,” said Craig Grocke, Council’s manager – growth and activation.

“We deliberately chose a diverse mix of people for the group to ensure we got a broad range of views.”

Other key objectives of the Library Services and Community Space Advisory Group are to:
- Provide input into the future planning and provision of a central community hub.
- Assist Council with community and key stakeholder consultation where appropriate.
- Optimise the involvement of the community in the review of needs and provision of library services and community space in the Berri Barmera area.
- Act as a conduit between the Berri Barmera Council and community.

The new advisory group will meet as often as it determines is necessary.  A copy of the Groups Charter  is available here.

Links to related Council Documents

Librar

JV Irving