This document discusses public libraries in New South Wales, Australia. It provides statistics on library usage in NSW, including over 3 million members, 35.3 million visits annually, and over 43 million items loaned in 2014/15. It also outlines examples of library advocacy, including community engagement and benchmarking, positioning the library as part of the solution, and influencing transformation in the industry. Specific examples discussed include the Shellharbour City Library Strategy, Sno-Isle Libraries 2016-2025 Capital Facilities Plan, the Digital Inclusion Index Australia, and the State Library of NSW's early literacy research partnership.

1. Mylee Joseph
Managing the business of libraries forum
Ivory Palms Resort, Noosaville
22 - 23 May 2017
The Pitch: local advocacy and
positioning for public libraries

2. New South Wales
7.5 million people
● 22 % speak LOTE at home
● 3 million library members)
● 35.3 million visits to
libraries
● 1.6 million people attended
library programs
● 43.6 million loans
● 9.6 million internet and
WiFi sessions
2014/15 Public Library Statistics
NSW public library network
● 128 councils
● 89 library services
● 368 libraries
● 22 mobile libraries

3. Image credit: JD Hancock Four Storms And A Twister CC BY 2.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdhancock/3842546304/in/album-72157648422674998/

4. Advocacy examples
• Community engagement and benchmarking
• Positioning the library as part of the solution
• Influencing transformation in the industry

5. Community engagement and benchmarking

6. http://www.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au/Documents/Play/Libraries-and-Museum/library-strategy

8. 2016-2025 Capital Facilities Plan - Sno-Isle Libraries
Recommendations for community library buildings within the Capital Facilities Plan fall into four categories:
1. Maintain existing facility which will continue serving community needs
2. Renovate and/or expand an existing facility to enable it to meet community needs
3. Replace an existing library with a new facility to meet the needs of the community
4. Provide a facility where none exists to meet community needs. In the course of developing this plan,
the library district identified areas where a significant number of residents are unserved or
underserved by the library. Residents in these areas already face significant challenges to access the
nearest library and population growth projections through 2025 indicate more will face those
challenges. Significant community and regional plans for redevelopment and infrastructure
improvements also influence where new libraries are needed.

9. 2016-2025 Capital Facilities Plan - Sno-Isle Libraries
A variety of factors were considered to develop recommendations for capital facility investments based on
the ability to meet current and anticipated community needs, including:
• Building size
• Building condition
• Current and historical use
• Projected population growth
• Changes in customer expectations
• Innovations in library services
• Community assessment and support
http://sno-isle.org/facplan

10. Positioning the library as part of the solution

11. https://digitalinclusionindex.org.au/
Accessaccess | technology | data allowance
Affordabilityhousehold income spent on internet access | data allowance per $
Digital abilityattitudes | basic skills | activities

12. Early literacy in NSW public libraries
The State Library of New South Wales has established a
research partnership with the Institute of Early Childhood,
Macquarie University with the key aim of supporting public
libraries in NSW to be recognised for the early literacy services
offered.
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/public-library-services/early-literacy-project

13. Influencing transformation in the industry

15. constraints become
opportunities for
problem solving
~ Ninotschka Titchkosky (architect)

16. Any questions?
Mylee Joseph | mylee.joseph@sl.nsw.gov.au | +61 2 9273 1521 | @myleejoseph