1. Making Connections
2014

2. State Library of NSW
One of Australia’s leading libraries comprising:
• The Mitchell Library, the Dixson Library, and the
State Reference Library.
• Staff include librarians, library technicians,
archivists, conservators, curators, designers and
IT experts.
• 150 volunteers.
• Over 790,000 visitors to the building and more
than 4,288,000 online visits to the website.

5. Public Library and Learning
Services

6. Public Libraries and Learning Services
Four branches, 33 staff, and lots of programs and services
to support public libraries and school students
• Public Library Services
• NSW.net
• LIAC and drug info
• Learning Services

7. Public libraries
• Are heavily used by the people of NSW
• 377 locations across NSW – 104 central library
services, 273 branch libraries and 23 mobile
libraries
• 3.2 million members (44% of the population)
• Over 35 million visits per annum
• More than 1.2 million people attended over
52,000 public programs and events
• Almost 48 million loans
State Library of NSW (2013) Public Library Statistics 2011/12

8. Loans in NSW public libraries

9. Other indicators
• The Internet has made libraries busier
over 3.7 million bookings per year
• Library staff answer more than 4.6 million
requests for information per annum
• Collections in all formats including books,
DVDs, talking books, CDs and digital items
continue to grow.
• In 2010/11 13.5 million items were held
across NSW public libraries

10. Program participants
-
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
2009 2010 2011 2012
Program Attendance
Attendance

11. Public Library Services
Manager Funding and Advisory Services Cameron Morley
Consultants Anne Doherty
Ellen Forsyth
Mylee Joseph
Kate O’Grady
Project Officer Edwina Duffy
Grants and Subsidies Clerk Kathy Morrison
Clerical Officer Lesley Targ
Multicultural Services Consultant Oriana Acevedo
Coordinator Multicultural Cooperative Shauna Miller
Multicultural bulk loans team Abby Dawson

12. Library Act 1939 - Objects
• 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.

13. Library Act 1939 – Duties of Library
Council of NSW
• (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
• (c) to report to the Minister as to the sums required to be
provided in each year to meet the cost of subsidies
payable under this Act

14. Public Libraries Consultative
Committee, 2014
• Jan Richards, Chair & Library Council of NSW Representative; Manager Library Services, Central
West Libraries
• Andrew Tink, Library Council of NSW Representative
• Susan Doyle, Library Council of NSW Representative
• Noel Baum, Strategy Manager, Local Government Association of NSW & Shires Associations of
NSW
• Michelle Simon, NSW Metropolitan Public Libraries Association; Manager, Canterbury City Library
• Clr Veronique Marchandeau, President, NSW Metropolitan Public Libraries Association;
Councillor, North Sydney Council
• Paul Scully, NSW Metropolitan Public Libraries Association; Manager, Fairfield City Library
• Clr Graham Smith, Chair, Public Libraries New South Wales; Councillor, Cessnock City Council
• Keryl Collard, Public Libraries New South Wales; Manager, Maitland City Library
• Robert Knight, Public Libraries New South Wales; Director, Riverina Regional Library
• Clr Julie Hegarty, Local Government and Shires Association (LGSA); Councillor, Pittwater Council
• Dr Alex Byrne, State Librarian & Chief Executive, State Library of NSW
• Frances Sims, Director, Public Library and Community Learning Services, State Library of NSW
• Cameron Morley, Executive Officer & Manager, Public Library Services, State Library of NSW

15. Library Act 1939 – Part 3 Local Libraries
• s8 Adoption or revocation of the Act by Local
Authorities
• s10 Requirements as to services to be provided by
local libraries
• s10 (1) A local authority must comply with and observe
the following requirements in relation to the provision,
control and management by it of any local library:

16. Library Act 1939 – Part 3 Section 10
s10 (1)
a) Residents and ratepayers entitled to free membership
b) Free access to certain materials on library premises
c) Free loans of certain library material to members
d) Free delivery to sick or disabled members
e) Free basic reference services to members
f)Restriction on use of State subsidy
Also covers some provisions on borrowing entitlements
and reciprocal membership enablement.

17. Funding – Public Libraries Grants and
Subsidies for 2013/14
• Subsidy - $1.85 per capita, $13,481,109
• Disability & Geographic Adjustments $6,501,545
• NSW.net $2,440,000
• Outback Letterbox Library $100,000
• Strategic Network Projects $808,246
• State Library services to public libraries $697,100
• Library Development Grants (LDG) $2,000,000
• Revitalising Regional Libraries $500,000
Total $26,528,000

18. Strategic Network Projects
• Multicultural Purchasing Cooperative $92K
• Research $80K
• Professional development $80K
• Inter library loan van $50K
• Statistics database $50K
• Statewide network development $80K

19. Statewide Network Development
• support for the PLC and PLM Association secretariats
• support for Association conferences
• travel assistance for PLCC members and Regional
Library Managers to attend meetings
• travelling exhibitions and events
• summer reading program materials for all NSW
public libraries
• funding of network wide email lists and wikis
• publication of Public Library News, Public Library
Statistics, and Guidelines such as People Places
• legal advice relevant to NSW public libraries (e.g.
policy guidelines)

20. Connect with PLS
• Public Library News is on Pinterest
• We are posting photos on Instagram when we visit
public libraries using #nswpubliclibraries
• We encourage you to use #nswpubliclibraries when you
post to facebook, twitter, Instagram, Flickr

21. Thank you