1. Reimagining… “We recognise that parts of this Plan have implications for other organisations, particularly public libraries, and we will invite participation and communicate our progress.”

2. Reimagining…  Inspirational –International collaboration! –Visionary yet pragmatic –Role model for public libraries  Opportunities for public libraries & communities to participate and benefit

3. 1.Do it now! – initiatives to improve services immediately 2. Open borders – opening up access to e-resources and services across our libraries 3. Virtual reference – integrating virtual reference as a core function, with a new business and resourcing model 4. Delivery – developing a standard service model for user-requested document supply 5. Community created content – identifying and implementing a framework and tool set for everyone to create and transform online content

4. 6.Changing capability and culture – developing a framework for new work environments 7. Collaborative collections – delivering efficiencies through collaborative collecting 8. Flexible cataloguing – designing improved business processes for collection management 9. Scaling up digitisation – demonstrating the economic benefits of mass digitisation and defining best practice in management of digital collections 10. Connecting and discovering content – enhancing metadata and making collection holdings more visible and linked online.

5. Challenges for Public Libraries  Size  Parochialism  Basis for measuring success  Digital products replacing objects  Customer expectations  Ubiquitous Internet  Governance uncertainty  Staff skills

6. Reimagining Public Libraries?  Size – Amalgamation / Collaboration  Parochialism? articulate the benefits of collaboration  Success? – gatekeeper to navigator  Outreach – through partnerships  Utilise technology – RFID, top tier ILMS  Fewer staff who are skilled to deliver on organisational vision  EVIDENCE

7. International examples  Helsinki –Info Gas Station, laptop Dr, cable TV lending, intense public programs, innovative opening hours, regional consortium - 1.3m people, highest library use & literacy levels in the world, Large buildings allowing for “conflicting” use  Stockholm –60+ branches: specialist libraries in the network: Youth, Film Music & Theatre, Comics, Community Languages etc.  Amsterdam –30,000M 2 10 story library; Radio station, theatre, café & 20+ local branches  Delft (DOK) –Amazing building & furniture, media literacy, outreach – TV programs, art collections