Australia to the USA. 13 Librarians on a 3 week tour of US public libraries. Jun/Jul 2010

1. Great Public Libraries Tour II - USA Queens Public Library New DC Library Buildings YOUmedia at the Chicago Public Library

2. Queens LibraryEnrich your life Strong service orientation and programming 2009 Library of the Year 2010 ULC Award for Innovation for HealthLink program 28,000 programs attended by 500,000

6. Central Library 4,600 sq m 1,300 sq m Children’s and Discovery Centre to open in 2010 75 staff 1 million items, 40 languages collections 2.5 million loans Closed stack for 2/3 of collection 48 PCs in the Cyber Centre plus 8 PCs for word processing Listed to undertake renovations in the near future

14. Flushing Library Opened 1998. Renovated 2010 (Teens, Media and Quiet Study areas) 7,000 sq m 67 staff 365,000 items 40 language collections 1.8 million visit p.a. 3.3 million loans p.a. (58% of loans are from community language collections) 70 PCs

29. Employment

30. Health

31. Youth

32. New Americans

36. www.queenslibrary.org

37. New District of Columbia (DC)branch libraries

38. Sample of standardised requirements for all new DC library buildings a minimum size of 2,100 sq m capacity for 80,000 items provision for a minimum of 32 PCs, including PCs for children 4 to 6 study rooms A meeting room for at least 100 people, to be also accessible after hours 2 ‘conference’ spaces for 8 to 12 people a flat floor and as few floors as possible space for children’s programs

39. Environmental Features High emphasis on achieving LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) certification from the United States Green Building Council. Environmentally-friendly or green features included: vegetative roofs to reflect sunlight and keep the building cooler in summer recycled materials in flooring, countertops and wood finishes designated space for energy efficient vehicles lots of natural light as well as energy-efficient lighting

40. New DC Libraries visited Georgetown Library (under construction, opening August 2010) Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library (under construction, opening July 2010) Benning Library Anacostia Library