The document summarizes the State Library of NSW and its Public Library and Learning Services division. It discusses the State Library's components and services. It then describes Public Library and Learning Services, which oversees public libraries across NSW through funding, programs, and advisory services. Public libraries in NSW serve over 3 million members through hundreds of locations and mobile libraries. The State Library works to support public libraries and ensure compliance with the Library Act of 1939.

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
• 148 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 Library and Learning Services
Three branches, 23 staff, and lots of programs and
services to support public libraries
• Public Library Services
• NSW.net
• LIAC and drug info

7. 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

8. Public libraries
• Are heavily used by the people of NSW
• 369 locations across NSW – 102 central library
services, 267 branch libraries and 20 mobile
libraries
• 3.2 million members (44% of the population)
• Over 35 million visits per annum
• More than 1.2 million people attended over
56,000 public programs and events
• Over 46 million loans
State Library of NSW (2014) Public Library Statistics 2012/13

9. Loans in NSW public libraries

10. Other indicators
• The Internet has made libraries busier
over 3.6 million bookings per year
• Library staff answer more than 4.7 million
requests for information per annum
• Collections in all formats including books,
DVDs, talking books, CDs and digital items
continue to grow
• In 2012/13 13.5 million items were held
across NSW public libraries

11. Program participants

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
• Natasa Mitic, NSW Office of Local Government, Ministerial Liaison Officer
• Dr Alex Byrne, State Librarian & Chief Executive, State Library of NSW
• Frances Sims, Director, Public Library and Community Learning Services, SLNSW
• Cameron Morley, Executive Officer & Manager, Public Library Services, SLNSW

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 2014/15
• Subsidy - $1.85 per capita $13,703,335
• Disability & Geographic Adjustments $6,591,610
• NSW.net $2,440,000
• Outback Letterbox Library $100,000
• Strategic Network Projects $485,955
• State Library services to public libraries $697,100
• Public Library Infrastructure Grants $3,000,000
• Revitalising Regional Libraries $500,000
Total $27,518,000

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 Public Library Association secretariats
• support for Association conferences
• travel assistance for PLCC members and Regional
Library Managers to attend meetings
• travelling exhibitions and events
• Summer Reading Club 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. Public Library Services and NSW public
libraries
What we do
• Visit over 100 public libraries per year
• Conduct reviews of library services or of
specific aspects of a library service such
as collections
• Speak at library or council meetings on
topics such as library trends, social media

21. What we do cont.
• Write or contribute to guidelines and
policies for library buildings, Internet,
Children’s services and more
• Work on research projects with groups of
public library staff on areas such as cost
benefit of RFID, local studies audit, early
literacy project, Readers Advisory
• Advise on a range of issues related to
libraries in NSW

22. 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

23. Thank you