Victorian Public Libraries 2030 Strategic Framework June 2013

Background Objectives: Identify global trends that may impact future public library services Explore alternative futures, tipping points & strategic responses to trends Develop & extend the capacity of the sector to think strategically Create an adaptable framework that can meaningfully guide strategic planning in any location

Process Collaborative 5-stage process involving over 80 Victorian public library managers, staff & stakeholders 1.Interviews 2.Creating future scenarios workshop 3.Transitioning to the future workshop – backcasting 4.Impact on public libraries workshop – analysis 5.Strategic framework workshop

Victorian Public Libraries 2030 Strategic Framework June 2013

Social trends Creativity Collaboration Brain health Dynamic learning Community connection Photos: Brimbank Libraries, Glenelg Libraries, Wyndham Library Service

Victorian Public Libraries 2030 Strategic Framework June 2013

Five prominent & emerging social trends Creative scenarioCommunity scenario Creativity The desire to unlock, express, develop & record creative interests Collaboration The willingness to partner, cooperate & share with others Brain health The need for lifelong mental engagement, stimulation & care Dynamic learning The need to continually learn new knowledge & skills to participate fully in a rapidly changing environment Community connection The desire for stable & trusted relationships with people & places of common interest

Opportunities Community wants & needs emerging from future social trends Opportunities for public libraries A drive to explore & develop creative interestsBecome vibrant creativity hubs, facilitating communal creative development & expression Opportunities to partner & share with others, both as individuals & as organisations Become co-working hubs, bringing people & organisations together to collaborate creatively, socially & professionally Lifelong mental engagement, stimulation & careBecome the community’s brain gymnasium Continuous acquisition of new knowledge & skills to participate fully in a rapidly changing environment Provide community learning programs that support 21st-century literacies Stable & trusted relationships with people & places of common interest Become the community agora – a meeting place for people to gather, share & learn

Strategic Framework Strategic objectives 1. StorytellingTo generate internal & external belief & buy-in to a shared vision for the future role of Victorian public libraries 2. Revenue & fundingTo develop a portfolio of revenue & funding streams that ensure the future prosperity of Victorian public libraries 3. Products, services & programsTo offer a suite of products, services & programs that meets the community’s changing expectations & needs of a public library into the future 4. Facilities & resourcesTo incorporate a mix of flexible spaces that facilitate & support the range of public library products & services into the future 5. StaffTo develop a flexible & inclusive culture that attracts & retains people with the right skills & attitude to deliver public library products & services into the future

Signals ‘With the rise of ebooks, public libraries are at a crossroads. Some book publishers … are reluctant to supply ebooks to libraries at the very time that library patrons are clamouring for greater access to such materials. Rather than standing idly by … some libraries … are developing community publishing initiatives in partnership with self-published ebook authors.’ Mark Coker, Huffington Post, March 2013

Victorian Public Libraries 2030 Strategic Framework June 2013 The Victorian Public Libraries 2030 Summary Report and full report are available at