Fit for the Future and NSW Public Libraries Cameron Morley Manager, Public Library Services State Library of NSW
NSW Public Libraries All councils have adopted the Library Act. 101 library services 367 library buildings 22 mobile libraries Combination of independent and regional or cooperative arrangements.
NSW Public Libraries Sustained growth over 15 years 35 million physical visits to libraries 3.2 million library members (42% of population) 1.5 million people attended library programs 45 million loans 8 million internet sessions in libraries 10.2 million online visits 2013/14 figures
Website Visits 14,000,000 12,000,000 10,000,000 8,000,000 6,000,000 4,000,000 2,000,000 0 2012/13 2013/14
Library Act 1939 our statutory link to promote, provide and maintain library services and information services for the people of New South Wales through the State Library and through co-operation with local libraries to advise the Minister, local authorities.. on matters of policy and administration relating to library services.. that are or may be provided through local libraries to advise the Minister on the provision of assistance to local libraries or other libraries.
Review and Assessment Library Act 1939 Library Council duties (a) to make.. careful inquiry into the administration and management of every local library which is provided, controlled and managed.. by a local authority which has adopted this Act (b) to cause every local library.. which is provided, controlled and managed.. by a local authority which has adopted this Act, to be inspected from time to time Proactive and by invitation
Previous experience 1905 324 councils in NSW 216 councils adopt the Library Act between 1944-1982 Amalgamations occur periodically 2000 177 councils 2004 152 councils State Library worked with councils on a number of library mergers, most recently between 2000 and 2005
FFTF and Library Service Mergers Initial OLG (September 2014) and IPART (October 2015) reports 142 councils to change? Preliminary analysis of how libraries may be affected PLCC discussion September and December 2015 6 January 2016 35 merger proposals referred by Minister Refinement of analysis to these proposals (and variations) Impact rated at high (15), medium (6) or low (14) PLCC discussion April 2016
FFTF and Library Service Mergers Proposed Council Combined population Library Services Library locations Impact / ILMS Auburn, Holroyd and part Parramatta 219,000 Auburn, Holroyd and Parramatta Auburn, Lidcombe, Regents Park, Merrylands, Graystanes, Wentworthville, Guildford, Granville (7). High - Auburn on Worldshare, Holroyd on Symphony. Parramatta branches Guildford and Granville move within new Auburn/Holroyd boundary. Parramatta on Symphony ILMS Bankstown and Canterbury 350,000 Bankstown and Canterbury Bankstown, Greenacre, Padstow, Panania, Campsie, Earlwood, Lakemba, Medium - both library Riverwood (8) services use the Libero ILMS Blayney, Cabonne and Orange 62,000 Central West Libraries Blayney, Canowindra, Molong, Manildra, Orange (5). Also Forbes and Cowra are part of the regional library agreement (2 additional locations). Low - in regional library arrangement
FFTF and Library Service Mergers Broad types of library merger: Two or more existing independent library services merge. One council that is part of a regional library service leaves the current arrangement and joins another. a branch or branches of an existing library service join a library service managed by another council. An independent library service joins a regional arrangement. Possible collaborative arrangements through Joint Organisations. Far West Initiative..
Day 1 Assumption that proclamations promote continuity "Anything that was done or omitted to be done by a former Council or former County Council and that had effect immediately before the proclamation date continues to have effect as if it had been done or omitted to be done by the new Council."
Integration of services and functions Library Management Systems, collections (including record metadata), membership data, as well as integration of staff, policies and procedures. Opportunity to review library services and strategy.
Checklist Library Management Systems integration (catalogue membership, circulation) Collection management process (selection, procurement, cataloguing, end-processing, weeding) Radio Frequency Identification Systems (RFID) integration Integration of existing collections, including tagging and barcoding
Checklist Connectivity and WiFi Library websites and apps eresources (journal databases, eaudio, ebooks, digital collections) Local studies and special collections Buildings and facilities
Checklist Contracts for supply of library materials Libraries Australia holdings amendment / integration Fees and charges Overdue policies / account management Outreach / Home Library Services / Mobile Libraries
Industry standards and best practice advice Two parts 1. Standards: a set of evidence based targets 2. Guidelines: a set of principles for developing levels of performance which lead to quality library services
Living Learning Libraries Standards 17 standards for the provision of library services Library management Staffing Access and usage Collection Information technology Programs Patron satisfaction Will be a useful guide, but will need to be used judiciously and will change.
Public Library Buildings Trends Key design criteria Examples of library design Best practice examples Accessibility Templates Guide to calculating optimum library size Reader seating and study space guideline Number of books per shelf
Public Libraries Grants and Subsidies 2015/16 Subsidy - $1.85 per capita, as prescribed by the Library Regulation 2010 $13,903,277 Disability & Geographic Adjustment (DGA) $6,591,610 NSW.net $1,940,000 Outback Letterbox Library $100,000 Strategic Network Projects $337,113 State Library services to public libraries $646,000 Public Library Infrastructure Grants $4,130,000 Total Public Library Grants and Subsidies $27,648,000