The Cooroy Library at Sunshine Coast Council needs to be seen to be believed. It’s a serious piece of modern architecture, built by the Sunshine Coast Council for the people of the hinterland.
It’s a remarkable building that awes and inspires every person who walks in its stylish doors.
The Cooroy library has a number of environmentally sustainable design features, such as:
- a roof partially covered with soil and grass, a design element that controls the variation of internal temperatures between day and night, reducing the amount of heat that the building soaks up during the day
- natural lighting enters the building through glass walls and high level windows that reduce the need for artificial lighting in the building
- solar hot water heating is installed on the roof as are photo voltaic cells that generate 40 per cent of the buildings internal lighting needs
- a below ground rainwater tank is used for watering the gardens and toilet flushing inside the library
- natural ventilation is a key feature of the building and a weather station measures temperature, wind speed and direction to determine when conditions are suitable for natural ventilation to occur.
But it’s not until you meet the team that work there that the library really springs to life.
Manager Library and Gallery Services, Ross Duncan said Cooroy library staff radiate energy and enthusiasm in their work, producing big broad smiles for everyone in their path.
“There are five full time and two part time staff who, in the first 12 months of the library opening, have hosted 800 events and greeted 134,000 visitors,” he said.
“For the celebration of the library’s first birthday in May 2011, the team organised Cooroy Fusion – a celebration that showcased local talent and businesses.
“The event was huge and included market stalls, rock bands, community gardening, literary lectures and tai-chi demonstrations.
“On a day to day basis the team take the time to get to know their community and cater for their needs. Each staff member has an area of expertise so they specialise on certain projects or with specific age groups.”
As the library is the coolest place in Cooroy, there is a rush every afternoon of school children racing to use the computers, or play on the Playstation and Xbox.
“The team know all the kids names and organise activities for them like games of Clan Wars and Wii sessions.”
Team members work with community groups and volunteers in the area and together they have established a retail store within the library that sells locally crafted woodwork, jewellery and ceramic pieces.
“The team even helped to start a community garden because that’s what the community said they wanted on the grassy roof top of their library.”
