New Goldstream Branch library
Posted by Steven Hurdle on August 2, 2008
Returning to the way things were when Langford was a member of the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) system and had its own (small) library, but this time a small branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL). This arrangement will see Langford contributing to the Juan de Fuca library, as well as funding the new Goldstream library.
The concept for the branch is unique, incorporating a coffee shop and encouraging people to move back and forth between the coffee shop section and the library section. The branch is slated to open mid-October. The library is to have a strong focus on what is new, hot, popular, and “hip”, to the point that once something’s circulation drops it will be removed from the collection. By design it seems the branch will focus more on fiction and entertainment, and less on non-fiction and reference materials. From Langford’s website:
The Collection: Books by Topic… Popular & Hot… Do-it-Yourself… Fun Fast Facts…
The Express collections will have multiple copies of current and popular items, arranged on retail shelving with eye-catching signs. As material looses [sic] popularity, it is removed to maintain a fresh and hip collection. Collections are displayed face forward in easy to find categories.
The only reference to materials for teens (a key demographic in increasing library usage) is the following:
Teens with their gaming station and games to check out at home… it is all here.
The new library is being called different things depending on whose website you look it up on. The city of Langford’s website refers to it as the “Goldstream Branch”, whereas the GVPL’s website calls it the “Goudy Branch”.
There are two web polls on the issue, one by the GVPL asking people which quotes they would like featured on the walls of the new library, and one by the City of Langford querying people on what types of materials they would like to see in the new branch.
I’m a former public library worker with 10 years at the GVPL under my belt, so I’ve been following this proposed branch with interest. I’ll report back if any more details on the new branch are announced.
– Steven Hurdle -
Teresa A said
Sounds like a good idea. With only limited space if makes sense to limit the offerings to ‘impulse buys’ and keep the selection changing. I will definitely drop in, and use the jdf branch and main branch if I want to locate something else.