Public Libraries: New Spaces, New Opportunities

As part of the regular School of Communication & Information Studies SIS Radio broadcast on 2MCE, this month’s episode is inspired by the recent announcement of the winners of the Australian Library Design Awards. Recent years have seen the development of many beautiful new public library buildings in Australia. In this show we talk to three experts about the history of public libraries in Australia, and recent trends in public library design. They explain how new libraries are funded, and consider the sustainability of these fabulous new public spaces. Featuring Ian McShane, Senior Research Fellow at RMIT University’s Centre for Urban Research, Mary Carroll, library historian and Associate Professor at the School of Information Studies at CSU, and Susie Prestney, Manager for Libraries and Arts at Melton City Council in Victoria.