Statewide Public library Development projects Where are they

Statewide Public library Development projects Where are they now? John Murrell

• History – Statewide projects one of the strengths of the industry • Victoria Specific (Library Board of Victoria and the Public Library sector) • Nation leading • Collaborative in nature and purpose

Massive load of projects! • Since 1997/98 – 135 projects funded and delivered. • Many of these projects were in themselves made up of up to 10 separate mini projects!

Early Priorities • Statewide Marketing • LOTE • Childrens Services (Summer Reading Club, Jolly Jumbuck) • Disability projects (Awareness and mainstreaming) • Statewide funded training

Joint Planning • Joint planning was facilitated between the public library sector and the State Library • Like any relationship it needed to be worked on! • Strategic Planning seminar – Marysville 1999/2000 • Library Odyssey - 2001 Kalorama • Planning Retreat – Glen Erin 2002/3 • Planning retreat – Lancemore 2007/8

Scholarships • • Continued through the entire period 97 – 09 Pierre Gorman Award Ramsey and Reid Scholarships Integrated into workforce Sustainability and leadership 07/8 Collaborative selection process Enabled continuing development of individuals Kept Victoria abreast of international best practice. Influenced services on the ground.

Leadership through Training • Focus on statewide training in the early part of the program • Subsidised training • Subsidised travel and accommodation for country members • Changed responsibilities to now expect Libraries to budget for training • Training still a component of individual projects • Professional Development Seminars highly valued.

Service infrastructure support • Statewide projects funded the DX courier service annually • The backbone of interlibrary loans • Moved to DPCD in 08/9 in recognition of the development of Library. Link Victoria. • Additional funds now available • Opportunity to review inter an intra library delivery service

Business case • Collaborative Library Management system ( 02/3) • The development of a sound case to launch the SWIFT project. • Resulted in significant $$ from the Minister for Local Government to establish the project. • Little support for recommendations concerning the broadband or technology infrastructure required.

SWIFT • Ibistro Access - 1, 683, 008 visits elctroniclayy since July last year • 20 million loans achieved early this year. • Vast movement of material between library now evident • Opened up catalogues across the state • International acclaim for the consortia model • NSW on Board June 2009

Library Organisation Library Type Victorian Libraries Campaspe Regional Library Country Corporation Casey Cardinia Regional Library Corporation Metro Corporation Central Highlands Regional Library Corporation Country Corporation Eastern Regional Library Corporation Metro Corporation Gannawarra Shire Library Service Country Council City of Greater Dandenong Library Service Metro Council Goulburn Valley Regional Library Corporation Country Corporation High Country Library Corporation Country Corporation Latrobe City Council Library Service Country Council Melton Library & Information Services Metro Council Mildura Rural City Council Library Service Country Council Swan Hill Regional Library Service Country Council West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation Country Corporation Wimmera Regional Library Corporation Country Corporation City of Yarra Libraries Metro Council NSW Libraries Ashfield Library Service NSW library Botany Bay Library Service NSW library Burwood Library NSW library Kogarah Council NSW library Marrickville Library Service NSW library Strathfield Library & Information Services NSW library

Libraries Building Communities • Undoubtedly a “flagship” Statewide project • Commenced in 2002/3 • Communication strategy in 2003/4 • 10, 000 Victorians surveyed • Research launched in 2004/5 •

LBC • Four separate reports • • Report One - Setting the Scene Report Two Logging the Benefits Report Three - Bridging the Gaps Report Four - Showcasing the Best

LBC Demonstration projects • Between 2005 and 2008, there were ten of these projects involving 14 Victorian public library services and many other community partners receiving a total of $600, 000 from the Library Board of Victoria.

Demonstration projects • Each project had the potential for replication by other public libraries. • Also improved a library’s engagement with disadvantaged groups identified in the first Libraries Building Communities research. • Funding for projects targeting Indigenous people, people living in remote areas, people with low literacy skills, people with vision impairments, and young people experiencing extreme disadvantage.

LBC - Role of Libraries • Crucial role in overcoming the ‘digital divide’; • Creating well informed communities, • Enhancing learning and literacy skills, • Building social capital

• LBC Challenged the image of public libraries – • How we promote its services • How we present to the public • How we provide up to date technology • How we provide fast access to information • How we become more tolerant of differences

LBC Provides Direction • The LBC research has directly contributed to the development of Library Plans for services including Geelong, Greater Dandenong and Mildura. • The striving to improve collections and facilities has led to such projects as the Collection Audit and Audit of Public library Buildings. • The research has also informed many a Living Libraries project application to DPCD.

Framework for Collaboration • Developed and guides our activities • Reviewed regularly by ACPL and the Library Board • Participants recognised a smaller number of projects should be the new direction • 3 year program - professionally managed • Project management supported by dedicated SLV staff and sector representatives • The envy of colleagues in other states.

Summary • What has the community received? – Improved level of skills in Library staff – Opening up of Access to resources across the state – Service enhancements from overseas study – Improved collection management and standards – Tech savvy library 2. 0 trained staff – Digitised resources – A sector collaborating and always seeking to improve