Well learned: the colocation lessons of the Hobsons Bay Libraries, Victoria.

• Author: Gately, Suzanne

Hobsons Bay Libraries in Melbourne has undertaken three major developments in the last five years and is in detailed design for another to commence in late 2012. Each features a joint use or collocated aspect to its operation. Altona Meadows was fully integrated with a neighbourhood house. Altona North is collocated with Bayside P-9 College. Williamstown Library is currently being linked physically and operationally to the Williamstown Town Hall, a premier arts and cultural venue. The Newport Hub will bring the library together with an existing youth facility, a seniors building, a maternal and child health centre and programmed activity groups centre. The governance challenges for each of these is unique. Outlined are the benefits of having a strong framework that has a clear, joint purpose; the experiences of the Hobsons Bay team; and what they have learned from their successes and failures. Edited version of a paper presented at 'Connection and convergence: second international conference on joint use libraries' Adelaide SA 3-4 November 2011

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Hobsons Bay is a small metropolitan municipality only 15 kms from the Melbourne CBD. It has a relatively stable population of 86,000 people and a very diverse and rich natural environment. There are 20 kms of beaches and foreshore area, with 20% open space and wetlands. It also has significant industrial areas with some of Australia's largest corporations including refineries, car manufacturing and logistics calling Hobsons Bay home. The industrial areas divide Hobsons Bay into east and west. The eastern half of the municipality is older and more densely populated--reminiscent of inner urban areas. The western half is much younger and more suburban in character.

Demographics

A small number of residents are indigenous and the age profile is similar to greater Melbourne with 17% aged less than 18 years; 18% aged over 60 years. 40% of families with children under 15 years are the predominant type of household.

It is also a culturally diverse population with 29 % of residents born overseas and 22% speak languages other than English at home. This again is comparable to the general Melbourne picture.

The need for colocation

Colocated services should provide good value, be of benefit to the community and usually bring together like minded services such as community centres, not for profit organisations or other council services. Occasionally in Victoria it is with a school. At Hobsons Bay we have, or will soon have, most of these options.

Different scenarios call for different approaches and this also has meant different lessons have been learned in each case. Colocation, like being a good neighbour, involves respect and some form of partnership and understanding to gain the mutual benefits offered by the close proximity. Otherwise great opportunities are missed.

Five different scenarios

We currently have three different colocation arrangements--two successful and one not. We also have two colocation arrangements in the planning stages. We have applied past learning to achieve success and find that we are still learning.

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