We are delighted to welcome the community back to Vincent Library and Local History Centre following our recent refurbishment project.
Over several weeks, the library underwent a significant transformation designed to create a more welcoming, accessible and enjoyable experience for everyone who uses our spaces. The project was guided by community feedback, staff experience and a commitment to ensuring the library continues to meet the changing needs of our growing community.
Libraries today are more than places to borrow books. They are spaces for learning, connection, creativity, study, discovery and community participation. This refurbishment has helped position the library to better support these roles now and into the future.
What Changed?
The refurbishment focused on improving the comfort, functionality and accessibility of the library while creating a more intuitive and enjoyable experience for visitors.
Key improvements include:
- A refreshed library layout designed to make collections easier to browse and discover.
- Easier-to-navigate shelving arrangements that support intuitive wayfinding throughout the building.
- New carpet, lighting and upgraded technology infrastructure.
- Updated furniture, study spaces and reading areas to support a range of activities and user needs.
- Improved accessibility features and safety measures for visitors and staff.
- Enhanced acoustics to create quieter, more comfortable spaces for reading, studying and working.
- Improved spaces for children, families, young people and lifelong learners throughout the library.
- New shelving and collection displays that better showcase the breadth of materials available to the community.
These improvements work together to create a library that is more welcoming, inclusive and adaptable for everyone who visits.
Responding to Community Needs
The refurbishment was an opportunity to consider how library services can continue evolving to meet community expectations. Feedback from members consistently highlighted the importance of comfortable spaces, accessible facilities, flexible programming and opportunities for connection and learning. The refreshed library has been designed with these priorities in mind, creating spaces that can support everything from quiet study and reading through to family activities, community events and lifelong learning programs.
The result is a library that is better equipped to support the diverse ways people use library services today.
A Refresh for Programs and Services
Alongside the physical improvements, the closure period provided an opportunity to review and refresh the library's programs and services.
As part of this work, Story Time and Rhyme Time now operate on a weekly schedule, allowing staff additional capacity to develop new experiences and expand community engagement opportunities.
This refreshed approach will support:
- New children's and family programs, including sensory and themed sessions.
- Additional community-led initiatives and collaborations.
- New opportunities for learning, creativity and social connection.
- Outreach activities delivered beyond the library building, including parks, community venues and local partnerships.
- Pilot programs and innovative service models informed by community interests and emerging needs.
While long-standing favourites will remain an important part of our service, these changes provide greater flexibility to introduce new ideas and reach more members of the community.
Looking Ahead
The completion of the refurbishment marks an exciting new chapter for Vincent Library and Local History Centre.
We are grateful for the patience and support shown by our community throughout the closure period and for the enthusiastic response to our pop-up library events and outreach activities during the works.
We look forward to welcoming visitors back into the refreshed space, sharing new programs and services, and continuing to provide a library that supports learning, creativity, connection and belonging for everyone.
Explore our upcoming events and programs on the What's On page and come and experience your refreshed library for yourself.
Library Refurbishment FAQs
Lending Collection - Size
The former library shelves were extremely large and overbearing, which meant the library had to carry a larger collection that unfortunately was filled with outdated, dusty, mouldy books that the community did not want to borrow. Lots of feedback we received focused on how the library was not carrying the latest or trending titles and that there were many items that the community physically did not want to touch. The library analysed the collection statistical data and feedback closely and determined that it was better to not carry them over to the new library and instead increase our collections' purchasing budget to acquire newer titles and encourage the community to send title suggestions via their online membership portal so that we can build a collection that reflects what our community is interested in.
Lending Collection - Genre
The Dewey Decimal Classification system was created in 1876, over 150 years ago, and the system strongly reflects the world and society in which it was created. As society and technology have evolved rapidly since then, libraries across the world have had to contend with how to keep up and deliver a contemporary service. Genrefication is the next step on the ladder from the Dewey Decimal System, and further grouping the collection reflects how society shops, selects streaming content, and finds hobbies of interest.
Integrating genres further into our service has ensured that the library maintains pace with our ever-changing society and encourages more people to borrow, as they are more intuitively able to find titles of interest.
Community Buy-In
To finalise the refurbishment and complete the finishing touches, the library needs community feedback, as that is our most valuable decision-making tool. We strongly encourage all community members to complete our survey with their thoughts and suggestions for how we can continue to make the library the lounge room of the community and deliver a service that our community deserves.