Regional Libraries the NSW experience Jan Richards, Manager, Central West Libraries

NSW Public Library Network 97 library services 363 service points 3,301,072 members (46% population) across all demographics 37,008,871 visits per annum 50,585,814 loans per annum many more people use libraries on a “needs” basis 100% internet access

Governance Framework Public libraries in NSW operate under: Library Act 1939 Library Regulation 2010 Local Government Act 1993 … plus other relevant legislation (EEO, Privacy, OH&S, Copyright) and ALIA policies and standards

Funding Local Government: At least 91% State Government subsidy: $1.85 per capita plus disability and geographical adjustments Library Development Grants:$1,190,119 plus Country Public Libraries fund

Public Libraries/SLNSW Public Library Services:  Specialist advice and support to all local councils  Facilitates grants and subsidies program  Identifies and researches industry-wide issues  Collects and disseminating data on NSW public libraries

PLS cont …  Develops standards and guidelines for library services and buildings  Supports professional development  Multicultural collections  NSW.net  Provides expert advice to Government

The Models Standalone Regional Cooperative Library Models in NSW (2007) John Liddle

Regional Libraries Regional Libraries are enabled under S 12 of the Library Act New legislation S12A provides greater flexibility Currently 70 councils (68 in country NSW) are party to s12 agreements for regional library services (ie 46%)

Regional Library Services 19 Regional and Joint Use Library Services 18 country, 1 metropolitan No 2 are the same!

Characteristics Member Councils represented through a committee Executive Council employs ‘shared’ staff. Other staff can be employed by Executive Council or individual councils Regional Library Managers report through their Committee and through the Executive Council.

Characteristics cont … Executive Councils perform a range of services which can include library administration, collection development and management, IT and communications, information and reference services, program development and support, marketing and promotion, grant applications and capital works support

Perceived Benefits Economy of scale Regional responsibility Compensates for small council's diseconomies of scale Employment of specialist staff Builds unity between staff Provision of mobile services IT and communications capabilities

Perceived Concerns Small councils lack options Loss of local identity Loss of autonomy Lack of common or minimum service delivery standards Threat of withdrawal Buildings and fittings

Central West Libraries Established 1956 Population 81,800 Area 15,700 sq km  Orange  Cabonne  Blayney  Forbes  Cowra

CWL 5 councils, 7 libraries Executive Council = Orange City CWL Committee meets twice a year Established funding formula and service standards All staff employed by Executive Council Single LMS

CWL Centralised collection development Library wide policies and procedures Set processes with in- built flexibility Branding with local flavour Shared and individual programs

CWL Specialist staff Commercial Couriers Strong inter-council team

North Western Library Established 1984 Population 14,811 Area sq km  Warren  Bogan  Coonamble  Gilgandra

NWL 4 councils, 4 libraries Executive Council = Warren Shire NWL Committee meets once a year Simple funding formula All staff employed by Member Councils Single LMS

NWL Centralised collection development Limited policies and procedures Set processes No shared branding Individual programs

NWL Limited specialist staff Strong working relationship

Richmond Tweed Regional Library Established 1971 Population 209,196 Area 3,651 sq km  Lismore  Ballina  Byron  Tweed

RTRL – a case study in change 4 councils, 11 libraries, 1 mobile Executive Council = Lismore City  Lismore 45,645  Ballina 42,432  Byron 32,126  Tweed 88,993

Riverina Regional Library Established 1978 Population 105,832 Area sq km 25,000  Wagga Wagga  Coolamon  Cootamundra  Gundagai  Junee  Lockhart  Temora  Tumut

RRL 9 councils, 13 libraries, 1 mobile Executive Council = Wagga Wagga Established funding formula and service standards Shared specialist staff employed by Executive Council, other staff by individual councils A new direction in collection development

The ideal model Involve some form of cooperative arrangement Be flexible and adaptive to change Be driven by community demand Maintain a local identity Be cost effective and have economies of scale

The ideal model cont … Adopt a strategic planning focus Pursue effective IT and communications strategies Have good stakeholder communications Have adequate staffing and resource levels.

Contact details Jan Richards Manager Central West Libraries