Australian Public Library Standards, Guidelines and Outcomes Project

Public Libraries SA invite library managers and their representatives  to attend an open consultation at the State Library, Jervois Room on Tuesday 22nd March from 1pm to 4pm. The event will be hosted by consultants I&J Management Services and the purpose is to contribute to the shaping of the next iteration of the Australian public library standards and guidelines, together with a new set of impact measures.

Australian Public Library Standards, Guidelines and Outcomes Project

Project Information

Australia’s public libraries will soon be better able to articulate their unique role and contribution in encouraging reading, connecting Australians and strengthening communities. The Australian Public Library Alliance (APLA) and National & State Libraries Australasia (NSLA) have engaged Melbourne-based consultants I & J Management Services to review and update the national Standards and Guidelines for Australian Public Libraries (2012).

The research project will also identify and document a set of standard outcome-focused indicators that demonstrate the social, cultural and economic benefits of public libraries. By moving beyond input and transactional indicators, public libraries will be better able to individually and collectively articulate the real difference that libraries make in the lives of everyday people.

The updated standards and guidelines and outcome indicators will draw on the input and views of Australia’s public library sector and local and international practice. They will:

• reflect contemporary public library service provision
• support libraries in planning advocacy and communication
• improve alignment and congruence between public libraries in all states and territories
• provide service and performance benchmarks to inform ongoing improvement of public libraries.

Public libraries will have an opportunity for direct input into the review through:

• a survey of libraries scheduled for release in late February
• consultation workshops in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide during March and early April 2016.

For more information about the project and the consultation process contact the Australian Library and Information Association (www.alia.org.au).

Although the Adelaide event is free, advance bookings are essential as numbers are limited