Advocacy for libraries – statewide possibilities Outcomes of the 2016 SLV / PLVN Planning Summit

What this presentation covers

1. Overview of State Library / Public Libraries Victoria Network collaboration

2. Planning process for the next three years of collaboration

3. Draft plan for the 2017-2020 Statewide Public Library Development Projects

4. The Advocacy Project

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The framework for the State Library and public library collaboration

• Libraries Act 1988

• Library Board of Victoria Advisory Committee on Public Libraries

• Framework for Collaborative Action: defines how SLV and PLVN work together to deliver improved library services to communities

• Statewide Public Library Development Projects: a three-year plan of collaborative action

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Statewide Public Library Development Projects - goals

• Enhanced library collections

• Improved access options• ‘Seamless’ service/access for users

• Excellent staff skills, reflecting the needs of 21st century library services

• Increased community engagement with libraries

• Effective and powerful advocacy for public libraries with government and other stakeholders

• Greater efficiency and effectiveness of library services through collaboration and sharing.

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Statewide Public Library Development Projects – criteria

The Projects must support the Framework’s goals and:

• deliver statewide benefit to the Victorian community • increase the capability of libraries to deliver excellent services

• increase interaction/partnering/collaboration between public libraries, and between SLV and PLVN

• avoid duplicating work of other organisations or funding

• stimulate innovative responses to the challenges/opportunities presented by the environment in which libraries operate

• be delivered in a cooperative and collegial manner by SLV and PLVN

• achieve their agreed outcomes within the funding timeframe.

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20 years of Statewide Public Library Development Projects - hundreds of projects, millions of dollars

2014 – 17 Statewide Public Library Development Projects

Read• Strategic framework:

Reading and literacy for all

• Early years literacy program: quality indicators; training; awareness campaign; touring exhibition

• Adult literacy program: best practice guide; training; grants

• Reader development program: The Summer Read

Memory• Writing the War, touring exhibition

commemorating the ANZAC Centenary.

• Digital Memory, assisting public libraries to collect, manage and share their local history collections and content online.

Lead and Learn• Workforce Develop. Action Plan• Training program • Scholarship and Awards• Shared Leadership Program• Planning SummitP–7

Planning for the 2017-20 Statewide Public Library Development Projects – a summit for library managersTransforming Public Libraries, 25-27 July 2016, Kalorama

Dual focus• The power of public libraries to transform communities and transform lives• The ongoing transformation of public libraries.

Presenters• Will Dayble – founder of Squareweave and other digital enterprises • Debbie Kipper – Director, Strategy, Creative Victoria• Kay Rundle – former CEO Maribyrnong / Greater Geelong / Port Phillip• Sari Feldman – Director, Cuyahoga County Public Library, President ALA• Kate Torney – CEO, State Library Victoria• Patti Manolis – President, PLVN

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Transforming Public Libraries – objectives

• Promote big picture thinking amongst participants

• Establish an overarching vision for SLV/PLVN collaboration in 2017-2020• Gain consensus about the areas of focus for collaboration under the banner of the SPLDP 2017-2020• Identify key initiatives for the SPLDP 2017-2020, for detailed scoping and costing

• Achieve alignment of SLV and PLVN strategic priorities

• Strengthen the bonds of participants, building commitment to working together to deliver on the agreed areas of focus and key initiatives

• Enhance the capability of new public library leaders and revitalise experienced leaders.

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Transforming Public Libraries – intended outcomes

• Increased knowledge of library trends, the environment and the context in which public libraries work

• Inspiration and stimulation to innovate and explore new ideas and approaches to service provision

• An opportunity for reflection, to refresh, energise and (re)connect with fellow library professionals

• Clarity of direction and purpose

• Alignment across the library sector, and opportunities for strengthened collaboration between organisations and individuals

• A commitment to work together • A product, plan or blueprint for the future.

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Transforming Public Libraries – the results

Key themes emerging• Story-telling• Be bold• We are stronger together

Priority initiatives – the 2017- 20 Statewide Public Library Development Projects

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1. Advocacy Approx. 45% weighting

2. Reading and Literacy Approx. 25% weighting

3. Lead and Learn Approx. 15 – 20 % weighting

4. Creative Industries Approx. 10 – 15% weighting

Advocacy project

Charter development working partyAnne Twyford (Wimmera) - Chris Kelly (Goldfields) - Elizabeth Arkles (Wyndham) - Kellie Vise (Mitchell) - Kevin Preece (Goulburn Valley) - Michael Byrne (Maribyrnong) - Michelle Fracaro (Wodonga) - Patti Manolis (Geelong) - Sally Both (Whitehorse Manningham) - Yvette Parker (Glenelg) - Susan Thomson (Greater Dandenong)

DefinitionAdvocacy is the actions individuals or organizations undertake to influence decision-making at the local, regional, state, national and international level that help create a desired policy or funding change in support of public libraries. (INELI-Oceania Advocacy Module)

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Advocacy project

Key initiatives• Statewide Advocacy Strategy (Year 1)• Statewide Campaign (Years 2-3): inspired by Libraries Transform, but but not the same • Skills development (Years 1-3)

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Advocacy – Public librarian’s perspective

• Who are we advocating to and what are we advocating for?

• State Government• Local Government• Regional Library Corporations• Friends of Library organisations• Resident and community groups• Philanthropic organisations• Members• Visitors• Other stakeholders

• Each of these individuals and organisations requires information - to satisfy funding program requirements, and the expectations of ministers, councillors and other stakeholders.

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Statistics and stories

Libraries Transform

• Community Benefit• Libraries Building Communities (2005)

The modern library is the community’s cultural, educational and meeting place.

• Economic Benefit• Dollars, Sense and Public Libraries (2011)

For every dollar invested in Victoria’s public libraries, $3.56 is the average rate of return in community benefits.

• Cultural Benefit (2014)• Creative communities: the cultural benefits of Victoria’s public libraries

The library is a place to have creative experiences and make things – it facilitates, supports and showcases creative activities, from music and theatre to arts and society.

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Statewide Public Library Development Projects – telling the story about the benefit of public libraries

Libraries Transform

• Benefits to Learning and literacy 2015-2018• Reading and literacy strategic framework 

Public libraries have a natural advantage in supporting reader and literacy development. Libraries are, and always have been, places of and for learning – places that promote and encourage a culture of reading by providing universal access to books and related programs for people of all ages and interests.

• Strategic approach• Victorian Public Libraries 2030: Strategic Framework (2013)

..an opportunity to look beyond traditional two or five-year planning cycles and to consider how we can best prepare our individual library services, and more broadly, the Victorian public library network for the future.

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Telling the story

• Tell the story with humanity and with heart but use stats and facts to drive the message home.

Melbourne Library Service – vox pop (show movie)

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Any questions?

Presentation by:Debra Rosenfeldt from State Library Victoria

and Anne-Maree Pfabe from Melbourne Library

Service for

Libmark SeminarThursday 20 October 2016

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