The libraries opening late as a pokies alternative

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This was published 3 years ago

The libraries opening late as a pokies alternative

By Carolyn Webb
Yes, they're open: gambling reform advocate Susan Rennie, co-founder of the Libraries After Dark activities program, pictured at a Preston Library craft circle.

Yes, they're open: gambling reform advocate Susan Rennie, co-founder of the Libraries After Dark activities program, pictured at a Preston Library craft circle.Credit:Simon Schluter

It’s 7pm and cold and windy outdoors in Gower Street, Preston.

But Preston Library is lit up invitingly, and inside it’s colourful and warm. Students pore over homework, an elderly man reads a newspaper, and a couple choose DVDs from a shelf.

Way up the back, knitters, crocheters and lacemakers sit on comfy red chairs around a table, near a tea and coffee stand.

It's no random gathering. A banner announces it as part of Libraries After Dark.

The program started seven months ago to offer a safe, late-night place for people who might otherwise play poker machines , but it's since widened to appeal to  the wider community. The banners do not refer to gambling.

Four Melbourne libraries – Preston, Mill Park, Glenroy, and Broadmeadows – have been opening until 10pm each Thursday, holding activities such as film screenings, board games, decluttering workshops and pasta making.

The program was the idea of Victorian Local Governance Association senior policy adviser (and Darebin councillor) Susan Rennie and Moreland council social policy officer Judy Spokes.

‘‘It’s in the evening when people feel particularly lonely or when a pokies venue seems appealing,’’ Cr Rennie said.

‘‘We thought about the role of libraries and whether we could activate libraries at night and see if that could provide an alternative.’’

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Cr Rennie, a longtime gambling reform advocate, and Ms Spokes secured a $300,000 grant from the state government’s Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation to run the program, through four councils, for two years. The foundation is funded by taxes on gambling revenue.

Cr Rennie said the four venues were all chosen because they were close to high-loss pokies venues, such as Mill Park's Plough Hotel, where players lost more than $18 million in 2015-16.

Cr Rennie said unlike pokies venues, where customers were welcomed by name and in some cases had personal quirks kept on file in a bid to encourage them to come back and increase losses, Libraries After Dark was about making ‘‘genuine connections’’.

Like pokies venues, ‘‘you get free [non alcoholic] drinks, and it’s warm and bright’’. But there is no cost.

‘‘People who are unemployed or modest income that would enable them to pay for leisure and entertainment options, can come to a movie night at the library, and bring their kids.’’

In the Preston craft group, held once a month, anyone is welcome to bring their knitting or sewing or art piece to work on, for company or to learn from others. There’s no leader and no pressure: you can observe or natter if you like.

Dawn Howell, 73, of Ivanhoe, was demonstrating how to weave a lace collar using 30 bobbins.

‘‘If I wasn’t here I’d probably be doing this in front of the television, instead of talking to other people,’’ Ms Howell said.

Nursing student Qingwen Bo, 28, studies every night at the library and, since drifting over to the crafts group last month, was loving it. She was making a gumleaf-shaped bookmark in lace.

‘‘It’s very interesting and it also can make your mood feel very peaceful,’’ Ms Bo said. ‘‘I’ve made new friends, and I can improve my oral English.’’

Cr Rennie is open to ideas for activities, and said Libraries After Dark could expand if there was more funding.

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