Imaginarium

Available equipment

The Imaginarium contains the following equipment:

All cabling is permanently installed and should never be changed for any reason. Microphones, cables and other equipment are all issued upon request.

You are able to use our microphones, stands and cables at no charge. You may use your own equipment provided you do not interfere with permanent connections.

Please let us know of any additional equipment you will require (video cameras, etc.) when booking the room.

Available software

The following software is installed:

Session times

There is a maximum booking duration of 3 hours from Monday to Friday and 2.5 hours on Saturday.

Due to high demand you may only make a maximum of one advanced booking at a time.

Induction

The Imaginarium is available to library members over 16, free of charge. In order to use the Imaginarium members must first undergo a short induction into the use of the studio and its equipment, no matter what level of competency or experience may have been gained elsewhere. This induction is specific to the Imaginarium and ensures everyone has a basic understanding of the setup, equipment and processes relevant to using this particular facility.

On completion of the induction you will be required to sign a responsibility agreement form and your library card will be flagged to record your studio competency.

To book an induction call Port Macquarie Library on 6581 8755.

Acceptable use

Once you have completed an induction, you have the freedom to use the space for your creative endeavours. However, this means you have a responsibility while using this facility to avoid activities that may be malicious or illegal. This includes but is not limited to, repatching permanent cabling, trying to install crack plug-ins or damaging equipment. Any patrons suspected of conducting themselves in an illegal or inappropriate manner will be prohibited from using the studio.

Booking the Imaginarium

Once you have completed the induction you can book a session. To provide an equitable booking system for all users the following conditions apply to studio booking requests:

• Only library members who have completed an induction may book the Imaginarium.
• A responsible adult who has undertaken the induction process must accompany children under the age of 16.
• You are required to leave current photo ID or your library card with staff for the duration of the booking, to be returned to you upon inspection of the studio at the end of your session.
• In the interest of equality there is a first in, first served policy.
• On arrival at the library and before you enter the Imaginarium you must check in with staff at the technology desk.

Late arrival/cancellations

If you need to cancel a confirmed booking, please let us know as soon as possible before your start time to allow other people an opportunity to use your session time.

If you are late for a booked session, please let us know when you will be arriving. If we do not hear from you within 15 minutes of your start time your booking will be cancelled to allow others to use the facility.

For all late arrivals and cancellations please call 6581 8755 during opening hours or email studio@mnclibrary.org.au

Saving your work

During your recording session, it is very important to regularly save your work. The Imaginarium computer will automatically log off at the end of your session time, so it is important to save what you’re doing and transfer it to your own device before your session ends. Part of the regular ongoing maintenance procedures for the Imaginarium includes deleting personal recording files from the scratch disk on a regular basis, so do not leave your projects on the computer.

The library will not accept responsibility for lost data regardless of the reason for its loss.

There are two steps for saving your work:

1. Scratch Disk -This is a temporary storage space on the main computer available for saving files for the current session only. You will need to write to and/or save your work to the computer’s external drive, named ‘Studio Storage Drive’, particularly when recording audio files. After this or before the end of your session, you will need to transfer projects to your own media or external device.
2. Personal Storage Device – We require you to use your own external hard drive or memory stick for saving projects at the end of your session. The capacity of such devices should be sufficient for the project you are creating (e.g. at least 16gb). On subsequent bookings you will need to transfer your project back to the ‘Studio Storage’ drive. Again, this is particularly important for any audio recording software.

End of session

Please let staff know that you are finished and collect your ID/library card from the technology desk.

Staff will inspect the room after your session. Any damage, other than normal wear and tear, is your responsibility and you will be required to compensate the library for repair or replacement. Your honesty in this regard will avoid embarrassment to you and inconvenience to others.

Illegal use

Library members may not use the Imaginarium for any purpose which contravenes any State or Commonwealth laws.

As a guide, recordings which are defamatory, discriminatory or intend harm to another person or group are prohibited. As are recordings which breach copyright law.

A copy of the Guidelines for users is available for download

For more info or to book a session call Port Macquarie Library on 6581 8755 or email portlib@mnclibrary.org.auFo