Marriage and divorce: the Hervey Bay University/Public Library, Queensland.

• Author: Parker, Jo

The Hervey Bay Library opened in March 1998 as the first joint use university/public library in Australia. It is soon to be dissolved, despite the economic, community and cultural benefits which it has provided. The reasons for this dissolution are explored. Principal among them is that the new library's building was a compromised funding convenience for its partners, particularly the local authority, which did not provide a solid foundation for a productive lasting relationship. This emphasises that sharing the costs of construction to benefit the joint use library is only the beginning of a meaningful long term collaboration requiring a shared vision and philosophy, resilience, adaptability and cooperation. 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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Fraser Coast is the gateway to the world heritage listed Fraser Island and the southern region of the Great Barrier Reef. Hervey Bay is the tourism hub of the Fraser Coast, with key leisure and tourism activities. Maryborough has unique Queensland heritage values as well as major manufacturing and engineering operations while Woocoo and Tiaro provide tree change rural lifestyles in proximity to the benefits provided by the nearby cities of Maryborough and Hervey Bay. It is one of the fastest growing regions in Queensland, with two major regional centres, Hervey Bay and Maryborough, servicing its population. The estimated resident population of Fraser Coast Regional Council at 30 June 2010 was 102,080 persons and is expected to exceed 150,000 by 2030.

The economy is most reliant on manufacturing, construction, education and retail trade sectors. There is a relatively older population distribution-nearly 50% are over the age of 45. The increasing number of older adults in the region will likely result in a continued demand for leisure, lifestyle, and specialised services such as health. (1)

Fraser Coast Regional Council

Fraser Coast Regional Council (FCRC) was formed in 2008, amalgamating Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Woocoo and Tiaro local government councils. This led to the amalgamation of the existing council library services. Fraser Coast Libraries is a six branch library service with libraries in Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Tiaro, Howard and Burrum Heads. Hervey Bay Library is the main branch of the library service. The first public library opened in Hervey Bay in 1978. Continued growth for library services saw the library outgrow three locations by 1996. (2)

The University of Southern Queensland

The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is a regional university, with a firm commitment to the communities in which it operates.

USQ's strategic direction also places an emphasis on social responsibility; to fully exploiting the benefits of a multicampus organisation; to remaining true to our mission and our communities; and to aligning our strategy, our capabilities, and our portfolio of programs. (3) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The main campus is in Toowoomba, Queensland's largest inland centre, a five hour drive from the beaches of Hervey Bay. In 1988 the university developed a study centre in Hervey Bay, located at the Tafe college. Only first year courses were offered, with students expected to attend the Toowoomba campus for further studies, or to participate through distance education. USQ has always had a high number of distance students, now comprising about 75% of the student population.

By 1993 the small number of students (50 eftsu) and the high cost of delivery, coupled with an increase in costs for the lease arrangement at the Tafe college, led to USQ seriously questioning its presence in the Bay. Proposing to withdraw its face to face classes, and replace them with technology assisted distance education modes, the Queensland state government intervened. As Hervey Bay was then the fastest growing regional centre in the state, and indeed, in Australia, the location of a university campus was seen as vital to the economic and social growth of the area. (4)

A federal, state and USQ working party was formed in 1994 to investigate the need for higher education in the Wide Bay (Fraser Coast) / South Burnett region. Its report recommended that USQ remain at the Tafe site in Hervey Bay, foreseeing that by the year 2000, 100 eftsu students would be attending the campus. By 1995, the federal government allocated several thousand new university places to Queensland, including an extra 90 for Hervey Bay. Figures were revised (in fact in 2000, 153 oncampus and 346 external students were able to access the library), and a decision was made to develop the university campus on a site that would establish the university's independence and prominence in the community.

A civic precinct for Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay city developed from five fishing villages spread along the coast. In 1995 there was no discernible city centre when Hervey Bay City Council (HBCC) proposed the creation of a civic precinct, including the university, a library, an art gallery and a performance centre. USQ took advantage of the prominent site, gained funding for the university...