2008 - 2009 Annual Report - Zoos South Australia

CONTENTSYear In ReviewPresident and CEO’s ReportConservation ProgramsAssets and InfrastructureConservation EducationConservation EducationLibraryThe AnimalsLiving collectionsThreatened SpeciesOperationsCommunications and PartnershipsVisitor ExperiencesHuman ResourcesFinancial ReportFinalsLibrary2009 has been a momentous year for the Society’sLibrary, located at Adelaide Zoo. After 41 years it wasmoved from Minchin House to its new location in theWestpac Envirodome.The Library had its inception in Minchin House, then knownas the Director’s House. The building had been home to threegenerations of Minchins, the family that gave the Zoo itsfirst three directors. In 1966 the Society had approached theEducation Department with an offer to use the Zoo to teachbiology and science classes. The offer was accepted and theAdelaide Zoo Education Service started.The classroom was located in an upstairs room and teachingresources were collected in a large built-in bookcase. Whenthe Education Service moved to the portable unit that hasbeen its home for 41 years, the collection remained in whatbecame known as The Library.The entire library collection was moved to its new premisesin one day, on Tuesday 31 March 2009, thanks to the helpof the Jobs Statewide Volunteers coordinated by Jeff Sharp.The move went so smoothly that the Library was operationalfifteen minutes after the last book was shelved.The new Library was designed by Kanako Nakanishi ofEcopolis Architects and furbished by Fry Library and SchoolSupplies and Dexion Adelaide. Both the design, that allowsfor natural light to flood the room, and furniture weremuch admired by the ALIA Special Libraries SA group whocelebrated Special Librarian Day with a visit on 28 May.It is the goal of the Library to offer a place to read studyand work to all staff and Volunteers.InterpretationThe past year has seen huge leaps forward for theinterpretation department, with many new projectsunderway, the completion of several major projects andan expansion of our team.Westpac EnvirodomeThe Westpac Envirodome Discovery Centre has been a majorsuccess for us, thanks to fantastic support from MartinsIntegrated, Megafun, AV Central, Natureworks and ourVolunteers. We have had excellent feedback and the centre isalways busy. It’s fantastic for Adelaide Zoo to now have sucha modern interactive education facility.Monarto SignageThe new signage system at Monarto Zoo has now been rolledout to almost the entire site. It’s our plan to complete thisrollout this year, as well as introduce some new interactiveelements to the interpretation at Monarto, including an audiotour for the walking tracks.Assets and Infrastructure - 4 of 5