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Everyone is welcome at the library

By AM | 14 March 2025

Girl plays with buttons collection in sensory space

 

Girl plays with buttons collection in sensory space

Queensland's libraries are continually reimagining their spaces and services. By adapting to community needs, they are vibrant hubs where every individual is welcomed with resources and initiatives designed for all. From sensory spaces, home deliveries, Braille collections and large print books, to discrete inclusivity initiatives, tech help and accessible collections, libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres lead the way in inclusivity and transformative community experiences.

Moreton Bay: Dementia-friendly libraries

City of Moreton Bay’s libraries are interactive spaces providing memorable moments for individuals with dementia and their families. Moreton Bay Libraries provide dementia-friendly environments, combining interactive technology with a trained staff ready to assist and create stimulating experiences.

Logan: A sensory wonderland for children

Logan City Council's sensory spaces in children's library areas encourage interactive learning and play. With tactile and engaging equipment, children can explore and discover in a multi-sensory environment. Logan Libraries also provide sensory-friendly maps and navigational stories, co-created with the local community, making the library a more navigable and welcoming place for everyone.

Bundaberg: Accessibility through collaboration

Bundaberg Library’s Ability Diverse programs also overlap activities held at the Gracie Dixon Centre, offering people with diverse abilities an opportunity to engage more meaningfully with the library and its resources. Like many councils, Bundaberg Regional Council libraries also provide tech help for people of varied abilities, closing the digital gap for everyone in the community.

Unseen support with the Sunflower Network

Bridging the gap of non-obvious disabilities, the adoption of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Network across some councils allows for an unspoken dialogue. The sunflower lanyard, badge, or wristband worn by visitors, provides a discreet indication of those who might need extra support, fostering an atmosphere of understanding within the community.

Delivering collections to your doorstep

Many councils offer Home Library Services, supporting members across their region. This allows members to request fiction, non-fiction, DVDs, and audiobooks, which are then delivered directly to their homes on a regular or one-off basis. In addition to books and resources that make their way to those who cannot visit in person, home deliveries also contribute the home-bound people’s connection to community.

As community needs evolve, so do Queensland’s libraries, creating a connected and supportive community for all.

State Library’s enduring partnership with local government delivers more than 325 public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) across Queensland. In every bustling city and town, libraries and IKCs are social, cultural and digital hubs that offer much more than you think.

Library staff organising home deliveries

Library staff organising home deliveries

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