"It is a parental role for many women who are generally coming in for family related matters," he said.

Mr Jones also believes that the library is not seen as a male space traditionally.

"Studies on usage of pharmacies showed that they are laid out predominately to attract females.

"It's probably a bit the same thing with libraries.

"Men go in for a mission. They are outcome focused rather than experience focused," he said.

However, Mr Jones does think this mindset is starting to change.

"We are starting to see more men taking the time to sit and relax in our libraries, reading the paper etc."

In order to better understand the nature of male library users and gain feedback on what the library should and shouldn't be doing for men, a survey was conducted as part of a state-wide undertaking.

What the survey did show was:

z Most male borrowers are aged 60+ years and retired

z Not many male library users have dependant children

z Most males visit the library at least fortnightly and prefer the mornings

z Males generally use the library for borrowing purposes largely related to leisure activities

z Males have a targeted approach to choosing material. They have a preference for subjects of interest and favourite authors. They do browse and use recommendations, but to a lesser extent

z Their preferred events in libraries are musical concerts and author talks/seminars

z What the males would like to see more of is non-fiction stock (especially sports, military history), magazines, fiction and DVDs and videos

Atmosphere and peace and quiet featured strongly in what men liked about libraries.

In order to try and meet these needs, this Marketing Plan proposes the following objectives:

z That greater consideration be given to male reading tastes in collection development

z That a grant application be submitted to the Library Council to enhance the collection in key areas

z That extended opening hours be considered, especially in relation to new or extended premises

z That musical concerts and author talks continue to be encouraged.

z That once a Children's and Youth Services staff member is appointed that a father-child reading program be pursued

z That the library be promoted through men's forums

Consideration will be given to the best means of conveying information to this key demographic and potential funding implications and opportunities will be discussed.

Mr Jones explained that both the Great Lakes survey and the state-wide survey found that the three major areas of concern were the same, just in a different order.

"In the state-wide survey the negatives, in order, were:

z Noise

z Inadequate collections

z Opening hours

In the Great Lakes survey, the negative aspects were listed, in order, as:

z Inadequate collections

z Opening hours

z Noise."

Mr Jones explained that the issues that were pointed out as being negatives aren't easily solved.

"Lots of new stock costs money, extended opening hours costs money and reconstructing a building to reduce noise also costs money," he said.

Tea Gardens already has quite significant opening hours and an expansion is not likely to be necessary for some time.

The most effective means of increasing hours at branch points is to consider combining the library service points with other council service points eg: Combine the Visitor Information Centre with the library in Bulahdelah.

Mr Jones explained that a library survey has been done in Tea Gardens specifically before, but it wasn't a male only one.

"Depending on the findings of the Tea Gardens survey, we may look at some changes for things such as opening hours in the long term plan," said Mr Jones.

Direct discussions with men's health organisations indicate that there is a need in the community for more material on male health.

"I asked a mental health worker from Forster Community Health to create list of subjects related to male areas of well being, both mental and physical, that would interest males," said Mr Jones.

He explained that although the survey was only conducted in Forster, what was addressed showed that there were plenty of universal options.

"Some of the Forster ideas are valid for Tea Gardens as well," said Mr Jones.

"We are looking at holding more events such as musical concerts in Forster and I think it's quite conceivable to hold events in Tea Gardens as well.

"We'd also love to have a youth and children's services librarian that could encourage father and child events," he said.

Page 25 of the draft Plan shows a range of meaningful objectives.

Mr Jones explained that the grant funding has been applied for to expand the collection in areas of interest and relevance to males.

"Council budget is tight at the moment but I have already put in a grant application for $30,000 worth of material that was identified from the survey," he said.

"However, we won't hear back till late 2006 on the success of the grant application."

The draft Plan will be on public exhibition for a period of 42 days from Friday, March 10, during normal library opening hours, at the following locations:

z Forster Library, Breese Parade, Forster

z Tea Gardens Library, Marine Drive, Tea Gardens

z Bulahdelah Library, Meade Street, Bulahdelah

z Nabiac Library, Nabiac Street, Nabiac

z North Arm Cove Library, Eastslopes Way, North Arm Cove

z Stroud Library, Cowper Street, Stroud

Written submissions in relation to the draft Plan will be received up until 4pm on May 5 and should be addressed to Manager Library Services, Great Lakes Council, PO Box 450, Forster NSW 2428.