NSW Public Libraries Country
Newsletter 1/2009
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Chairman's Report
LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
2008/09 Library Development Grants
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JOBS FUND
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF OUTSOURCING
SYMPOSIUM 2009 AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMIT, 16 JULY 2009
PUBLIC LIBRARIES NEW SOUTH WALES ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT DARLING HARBOUR, 23-25 NOVEMBER 2009
CHAIRMAN'S UPDATE……
Dear Friends and Colleagues, We have now reached the end of the first quarter of the new year, and it is time once again to update you.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE
- At its meeting in Sydney on January 12, Executive resolved to advertise for the position of executive officer. Despite an extensive spread of advertising, only one application was received, being that from Upper Murray Information Management Services, with Robert Knight and Lynne Makin as lead consultants.
- Executive has therefore resolved to appoint UMIMS to manage the Association's executive office, for a trial period of six months, with a review to occur at that point.
- The Memorandum of Agreement giving effect to that appointment was signed at the Central West Zone meeting on April 17, with immediate effect.
LOBBYING
- Ian Greenhalgh, Martin Field and myself met with Glyn Cryer, arts adviser to Virginia Judge, Minister Assisting, on March 9. At this meeting, the resolutions from our AGM were tabled, and the delegation expressed the frustration of the sector with the slowness of decision-making. Glyn Cryer undertook to convey the views of the association to both his Minister and the Premier. It is hoped that a further meeting with him and Vivian Skinner, arts adviser to the Premier, can be organised in the near future. Part of the discussion at this delegation was the way in which we can manage our lobbying strategy. Some very practical suggestions came out of that session, which I hope will be reflected in business at the Annual General Meeting.
FUNDING
- We finally have a decision on the distribution of the Country Libraries Fund, which is to be managed through the Library Development Grant process. The Fund will deliver an additional $9m for country libraries over the next five years ($1m in 2008/09, then $2m per annum for the next four years). However, we still await an announcement on allocation of state government funding for NSW libraries in 2009-10.
ADMINISTRATION
- The Minister having announced a 3.5% rate-pegging increase, membership fees for 2009/2010 will increase by that amount, in accordance with our AGM decision. Invoices will be issued before June 30.
PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
- The March meeting of PLCC dealt with the issue of management of regional libraries, which executive endorsed to be forwarded, and which will result in a forum to be held at the State Library on April 27.
- Further updates were received on the NSW.net review, review of the Multicultural Bulk Loan Service, and Ref-Ex.
COOPERATION WITH PLNSW-M
- The joint executive meeting on January 12 endorsed the preparation of a set of principles for collaboration between the two associations. This document is now in its third, and hopefully final, draft. It is intended that the principles come to the AGM for endorsement.
- These principles are a prelude to a further discussion which may lead to an agreed structure for amalgamation. This will not, however, be a speedy process and will require extensive consultation and discussion.
AGM
- Zone meetings should be considering agenda items to be submitted for consideration at the Annual General Meeting. These items must be in the hands of the Secretary by 24 May. It is anticipated that the agenda items will be circulated by email very shortly thereafter, and that hard copy agenda will follow.
- See below for further details of the symposium and AGM.
ZONE VISITS
- I have begun the cycle of Zone meetings for this half-year with a visit to the Central West Zone, and I look forward to attending Central East, North East and South West Zones in the first couple of weeks in May.
Congratulations to Jan Richards, who will assume the National Presidency of ALIA within the next few weeks. We know of her commitment to the profession and to quality outcomes, and we look forward to a successful summit under her leadership.
Until next we meet,
Kind regards,
Cllr Graham Smith
Chairman,
Public Libraries NSW - Country
dysonsmith@idx.com.au
Mob: 0408 333 604
OTHER NEWS…
LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
The Premier and Minister for the Arts has approved the allocation model for the provision of the additional $9m. The State Library will distribute the funds utilising the existing Library Development Grant process. Once annual Library Development Grant funds are allocated, all eligible unsuccessful applications from country NSW councils will be considered for the Country Libraries Fund as follows:- 2008/09 $1m
- 2009/10 $2m
- 2010/11 $2m
- 2011/12 $2m
- 2012/13 $2m
2008/09 Country Library fund grant recipients
The 2008/09 Country Library fund grant recipients were announced by the Premier in March. The successful projects are:
| Council | Project | Project Type | Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gundagai | RFID – Riverina remote branches | Systems | $196,660 |
| Gwydir | Bingara Library relocation | Building | $44,500 |
| Moree Plains | Moree Library relocation | Building | $200,000 |
| Queanbeyan | Relocation of Queanbeyan Library | Building | $82,123 |
| Wollongong | New Thirroul Library | Building | $200,000 |
| Greater Taree | RFID for Great Lakes and Taree Libraries | Systems | $199,950 |
| Lake Macquarie | Building reading confidence in kids | Outreach services | $17,973 |
| Lismore | North Coast Local Newspapers | Local Studies | $26,320 |
| Walgett | Signage, furniture and collections | Promotion | $20,600 |
| Palerang | Non-fiction for men and boys | Collections | $11,874 |
| Total | $1,000,000 |
2008/09 Library Development Grants
The Library Development Grants were announced by the Premier in March. The successful projects are:
| Council | Project | Project Type | Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashfield | Library Fit-out | Building | $199,570 |
| Ballina | Expansion and relocation of Lennox Head Library | Building | $200,000 |
| Blacktown | Stanhope Gardens Library | Building | $180,000 |
| Burwood | Inner West libraries – downloadable collection | Collections | $48,000 |
| Canada Bay | Local Studies digitisation | Local Studies | $15,186 |
| Cooma Monaro | Extend and refurbish Cooma Library | Building | $200,000 |
| Fairfield | Refurbishment of Cabramatta Library children's area | Building | $51,265 |
| Gilgandra | Indigenous services and internet access | Collections | $40,029 |
| Hornsby | Youth access project | Youth Services | $31,922 |
| Lane Cove | Fit-out of new Lane Cove Library | Building | $180,000 |
| Richmond Valley | Improved access to mobile library | Mobile Library | $33,500 |
| Rockdale | Photograph digitisation project | Local Studies | $44,500 |
| Waverley | RFID Technology | Systems | $196,010 |
| Willoughby | Automated materials handling system | Systems | $200,000 |
| Total | $1,619,982 |
The 2009/10 grant applications will be called for in July.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT JOBS FUND
A new $650 million Jobs Fund announced by the Rudd Government on 5 April will support local jobs, build skills and improve facilities in local communities.
The new Jobs Fund is part of the Rudd Government's Jobs and Training Compact with Australians who have been hit hardest by the global recession, and builds on the Rudd Government's $42 billion Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.
The Jobs Fund includes three streams:
- $300 million for Local Jobs to invest in community projects of up to $2 million that help protect the environment or promote sustainability and will include $60 million for community heritage projects, and $40 million for commuter bike paths.
- $200 million to Get Communities Working which will invest in local council and not-for-profit projects of up to $2 million to upgrade vital community facilities and build community capacity.
- $150 million for Infrastructure Employment Projects to be initiated by the Australian Government for the construction of local infrastructure that will create immediate jobs in communities affected by the global economic downturn.
Projects will encourage local government, community organisations, employers and employment service providers to work together to give people employment or training opportunities in their local area. They will also ensure charitable institutions, unable to secure philanthropic support during the economic downturn, are supported to meet growing need for assistance within the community. Projects in regions and communities with higher unemployment or facing large numbers of jobs losses due to the global recession will be given priority consideration.
Most projects will commence from 1 July 2009 with submissions sought from May. Guidelines and application information will be issued shortly.
SUBMISSION TO THE PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION
Late last year, the Federal Government announced yet another enquiry into the Copyright Act 1968 that restricts the parallel importation of books. The Productivity Commission was asked to report within six months on the current provisions of and provide advice on the potential for reform in the area.
PLNSW-C made a submission in January 2009. This can be viewed on the Commission's website at http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/study/books
In March 2009, having reviewed submissions, the Commission published a Discussion Paper which substantially waters down the already limited protection currently provided. It is significant that both the USA and the UK, who are seeking to have restrictions removed entirely, do not do the same, and protect their own publishing industry more effectively.
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF OUTSOURCING
Given the current discussion that many libraries are having about outsourcing of collection services, the following research project will be of broad interest to the sector.
Macroplan Pty Ltd has been appointed to conduct the Cost Benefit Analysis: Outsourcing Acquisitions, Cataloguing and Processing in NSW Public Libraries research project on behalf of the NSW Public Library Network Research Committee and the State Library of NSW.
This project will explore, establish, analyse and document the costs and benefits of outsourcing procurement, cataloguing and processing in a variety of contexts relevant to the NSW public library network.
The project will also develop an informed comparison between outsourcing, in house provision and a combination of these collection management models. The consultants will be considering the triple bottom line impacts of outsourcing.
The project was recommended as a key project for the NSW Public Library Network Research Committee in response to an identified need across the public library network.
Consultation for this project will include a state-wide survey and some one on one interviews - further details and invitations to participate will be forthcoming.
Please contact Mylee Joseph on mjoseph@sl.nsw.gov.au or 9273 1521 with any questions about this project.
COMING EVENTS……
SYMPOSIUM 2009 AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Registrations have begun to flow for the PLC Symposium and AGM which will be held in Parkes 25-26 June 2009 to celebrate the Association's 20th birthday.
Shellie Buckle advises that there are many more room bookings than registrations received. You will assist the organisers greatly by getting those registrations in within the next two or three weeks.
The proceedings will commence with a welcome barbecue on 24 June.
The symposium will follow on 25 June. Each Zone has been requested to nominate two members to assist in the facilitation of the sessions, and has also been requested to provide a short presentation which will highlight some aspect of the last twenty years. Please assist the organising committee by responding to these requests.
In the evening of 25 June, there will be a formal dinner in honour of the anniversary. During the course of the day and evening, other events such as the launch of the Association history, and the presentation of the Colin Mills Scholarship will also occur.
The Annual General Meeting will occur on Friday 26 June in the morning, as is our usual practice. Because this is somewhat earlier than usual, Zones will need to be considering any issues they wish to raise, so that they can be in the hands of the Secretary by mid-May.
PUBLIC LIBRARY SUMMIT, 16 JULY 2009
This event is being coordinated by ALIA under the leadership of Jan Richards.
Fire, flood and the Queensland election forced a change in date. The new date is shown above and all details of the summit can be found at the following URL: http://www.alia.org.au/governance/committees/public.libraries/summit09/
The summit is targeted at decision-makers in federal and state governments, industry and philanthropy, with a view to raising awareness of the social development which can arise from the services we provide. The State associations have been invited to attend as observers and to assist in the summit. Graham Smith will represent our Association on the day.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES NEW SOUTH WALES ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT DARLING HARBOUR, 23-25 NOVEMBER 2009
The 2009 Public Libraries New South Wales (PLNSW) annual conference will be presented by PLNSW-Metropolitan at the SMC Conference and Function Centre, World Square, Sydney on 23-24 November. This is the first joint conference of the country and metropolitan associations.
The theme of the conference is "SWITCH: public libraries in a changing environment". The conference program will present information about the role that libraries play in sustainable community development in a changing environment.
Further information about the conference is available on the PLM website at www.plmnsw.org.au