Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub Visual Story
Arrival & Outdoor Veranda
Ivanhoe Library & Cultural Hub is an impressive building made of steel, concrete, glass, & orange bricks. Located on Upper Heidelberg Road, it offers views across Melbourne.
Parking is next to the facility, including two accessible car parking spaces. The main entrance with two automatic doors, is accessible via a step free concrete pathway . On the left of the main entrance is a set of concrete steps to a large timber decking. T
he decking leads to the single automatic door entrance of the café. A drop off point from Upper Heidelberg Road is also available for easier access down a ramped entry. You may see people moving with determination from the car park to the main entrance.
Entrance & Reception
Moving through two sets of automatic glass doors is the entrance & reception area. The space is modern, colourful & a multi-storey space with a mix of brick, steel, glass & timber.
Bookshelves & bench seating is to the right & two separate reception areas on the left. The smaller desk is for the library & the larger desk is for the Banyule City Council enquiries. Extensive directional signage directs visitors to areas within the facility.
On the right a small set of stairs lead to the lower study area & gallery. On the left beyond the reception is the café & library zones. You may notice people queuing & speaking to reception staff.
Whispers Café & Amenities
Moving past the reception are the café & amenities. A large central staircase leads to the main library on level 1. The café has low counter tops & is a spacious area with high & low stools with tables.
The floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlook a large brown veranda & car park. On the right side of the stairwell are a series of amenities that include: A parent's room. A prayer room. A gender neutral toilet. An accessible bathroom with an adult-size change table & push button to open & close the door.
You may see people queuing at the café & sitting eating & drinking. You may also hear loud sounds from the nearby theatrette.
Lower Study Area & Community Meeting Rooms
The lower study area & community meeting rooms are on the right side of the reception area. There are seven timber steps on the right or an elevator on the left of reception to access this area.
You may see people in groups working at office style tables or by themselves in private study seats. The space has large grey carpet tiles, an accessible bathroom & meeting rooms.
Two large community meeting rooms are available & may be set up in different layouts.
Gallery
The Gallery is to the right from reception. There are seven timber steps on the right or an elevator on the left of reception to access this area. A glass sliding door & modern reception area are at the entrance.
The gallery has polished timber floors & bright fluorescent spot lights. The gallery changes artwork displays & layout during the year.
You may notice the gallery is quiet & people standing & looking at the art displays.
Theatrette
The Theatrette is a multi-event space with tiered seating made from timber. Located beyond the café, the theatrette has colourful mural walls with large signage.
Access is through an outward-opening glass door. An internal elevator is on the left side of the tiered seating for wheelchair access to the stage. Steps with handrails descend to the tiered seating area.
You may notice lots of prams at the entrance & hear a loud storyteller, making it lively & exciting.
Children's Library
Locating the Children's Library is past the theatrette & café. The library features grey carpet tiles with contrasting shapes & patterns. Bright, colourful books & bookshelves line the walls.
The ceiling has different heights with a variety of fluorescent lighting styles. Large windows also allow natural light to fill the room.
You may notice the Children's area is a quite space. Parents & children are often found sitting & reading on the tiered seating areas.
Mezzanine
The central staircase on the left from reception leads to the Mezzanine Level. The staircase has glass railings and wooden handrails. The mezzanine area is half way up the staircase on the way to the Main Library.
Situated above the café you may notice strong café & coffee aromas. The mezzanine level may be noisy. The mezzanine level has tiered seating & overlooks the reception area. You may notice people chatting in a social & casual manner.
Library Level One
The main library is on level one. Access is via an elevator or the central wooden staircase on the left from reception. At the top of the staircase is the main library service counter with the word 'Library' in bold green on the wall. Toward the left are extensive book shelves with various seating options.
On the right is the Makers Space, IT Lounge & amenities. People often queue at the service counter borrowing books or requesting help. As you move closer to the windows the Library becomes more quiet. Located along the window walls are several private study pods.
Maker Space
Designed for creativity and hands-on activities, the Maker Space is on level 1. The Maker Space is between the library reception counter and elevator. Seating options include high stools around high tables & low chairs & tables.
The space has many computers & tech equipment. You many notice people working in groups & listening to an instructor.
IT Lounge
The IT Lounge is to the right of the Level 1 Library reception desk. Moving through the manual outward opening glass doors, the IT Lounge is square shape with low ceilings. Computers on low height tables line the walls of the room.
You may notice an increase in the hum from the air-conditioner & a decrease in temperature. Computers operate better in cooler environments. People often work in silence at a computer for long periods of time. There are 17 computers in the IT Lounge.
Council Chambers
The Ivanhoe Council Chambers are accessible via stairs or an elevator from the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub. The second level features a spacious foyer with blue carpet and comfortable chairs.
Entry to the chambers is through large wooden doors. Inside, councillors sit in a semi-circle on black leather chairs, while community members sit in rows of high-backed red chairs. The thick, brown carpet adds warmth, but the different seating arrangements might cause some anxiety.
The atmosphere is formal and focused, with people likely attending meetings or public discussions.

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