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Welcome to the October 2009 edition of aliaPUBNEWS.

aliaPUBNEWS is an initiative of the Australian Library and Information Association's Public Libraries Advisory Committee http://www.alia.org.au/governance/committees/public.libraries/

aliaPUBNEWS is a free monthly electronic bulletin for those concerned with supporting and promoting the further development of Australia's public library services. aliaPUBNEWS spans the policy and strategic issues and service developments having an impact on public libraries in Australia.
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In this aliaPUBNEWS broadcast:


NEWS FROM ALIA STATE NATIONAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES WEB RESOURCES
NEWS FROM ALIA

inCite theme for December 2009 issue: regional and rural libraries

Contribute to your member magazine! December’s feature topic is ‘regional and rural libraries’. Contributions on this theme and stories of interest from individuals and libraries are welcome. Please include a high resolution photo if you have one. Send your articles by 30 October 2009 to incite@alia.org.au. You can find all the 2009 themes and deadlines on the website.

http://www.alia.org.au/publishing/incite/

aliaNEWS – October issue available now

ALIA produces a monthly e-newsletter called aliaNEWS. It is a regular newsletter distributed free to all members of ALIA and other interested individuals. It provides subscribers with news about ALIA, including events, membership issues, professional development opportunities, awards and grants, conference registration deadlines, publications, industry events, campaigns, and LIS activities generally.

Anyone interested in ALIA and the LIS sector is invited to subscribe to aliaNEWS.

http://www.alia.org.au/alianet/e-lists/alianews/

Tweets ahoy!

Are you following ALIANational on Twitter? Find out the latest at

http://www.twitter.com/alianational

Little book of public libraries

ALIA has mailed out one copy of this fabulous little book to all public libraries in Australia. If you haven’t received your free copy, please contact us at enquiry@alia.org.au We still have a few hundred print copies available for order and there is a cost. Place an order via the website.

How to use the little book? We have prepared a list of ways your library and library-supporters might use the Little book to get the public library message out.

There is now an electronic copy of the Little book available to download from our website.

http://www.alia.org.au/publiclibraries/

Rebuilding With Books - libraries supporting bushfire-affected communities 24 to 31 October, 2009

When the bushfires swept across Victoria in February, offers of help were received from library staff around Australia. At the time, there was little anyone outside the affected area could do, but now there is an opportunity to be part of a nationwide library campaign.

ALIA is launching Rebuilding With Books, an initiative to help families who lost their main home and its contents in the bushfires by providing new books for families with empty bookshelves.

Find out more and be part of this worthwhile endeavour:

http://www.alia.org.au/disasterrecovery/

Living Libraries Australia and ALIA

ALIA has recently joined in partnership with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and the Lismore City Council to manage Living Libraries Australia. Living Libraries Australia is a national strategy for connecting and strengthening local communities through conversation. Members of the public are able to borrow a living person for a conversation rather than a book.

Living Libraries Australia promotes and support the establishment of Living Library projects to communities across Australia by providing:

  • A website of downloadable resources
  • Promotional strategies and materials, and
  • A national network for information exchange and support.
Tahnee Pearse has taken on the role of Living Libraries Project Officer and looks to further capitalise on the work that has been completed to date by the Lismore City Council. The ALIA Living Libraries Project Officer is tasked with the role of continuing project management work, including further developing the Living Libraries Network, fostering the sharing of information and spreading the word about Living Libraries.

Tahnee Pearse can be contacted via email at tahnee.pearse@alia.org.au

http://www.livinglibraries.org.au/

ALIA and Adult Learning Australia: $500 public library grants

Winners announced! Congratulations to the winning libraries of the ALIA Adult Learning Australia grants for training ACE providers in information literacy. Thank you to all the libraries who applied for the grants. The winners came from Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia and represented both metropolitan and regional Australia.

http://www.alia.org.au/publiclibraries

Call for Expressions of Interest for new ALIA Library Technician Advisory Committee

The primary role of ALIA Advisory Committees is to provide advice in the form of identification of issues, opportunities, activities and in general assist in developing a strategic direction with the ALIA Board of Directors. Advisory Committees are formed and dissolved, and members are appointed, under ALIA By-law 8. Members of Advisory Committees must be ALIA personal financial members or the nominated institutional representative. They are experts in the area of interest. Work done by Advisory Committee members is purely voluntary. At the time of nomination, members should carefully consider whether they have sufficient time available to take on committee responsibilities, and have sought the approval of their employer (if required) to be an appointed member to an ALIA Advisory Committee. Members hold office for an initial three years, with the Board being able to appoint the member for a further three year term.

Deadline for EOI: 23 October 2009

Enquiries: Robyn Ellard, ALIA Assistant Director: Member Services, robyn.ellard@alia.org.au, ph 02 6215 8250

http://www.alia.org.au/governance/committees/

Summer Reading Club 2009/2010 - Read on the Wild Side!

Hear the call of nature with the Summer Reading Club, READ on the WILD SIDE 2010 program! The Summer Reading Club will run from 1 December 2009 to 12 February 2010. The mailout of resources to libraries who have placed orders will be done on 10 October so you will receive your package in the week of 12-16 October.

Swap and share planning ideas at the SRC wiki at http://www.alia.org.au/src/wiki/pmwiki.php

http://www.summerreadingclub.org.au/

Last FOLIOz opportunity for 2009

Register now for the last online FOLIOz course for 2009: Maximising the impact of your service (MAXIM). This course aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to successfully maximise the impact of your service and to effectively evaluate this impact. The course begins Monday 30 November 2009-Friday 22 January 2010 (Including a two-week break 21st December-4th January).

Closing date for registrations 13 November 2009.

http://www.alia.org.au/education/pd/workshops/pdfs/Web.COURSE.OBJECTIVES.MAXIM.pdf
http://www.alia.org.au/education/pd/workshops/pdfs/MAXIM.Registration.form.pdf

Books Alive 2009

A record number of public libraries in Australia participated in Books Alive this year. ALIA collects the loan and reservation statistics on behalf of the Australia Council for the Arts. Thank you to those libraries who were able to collect the stats this year. Please send your completed spreadsheet to Jane Hardy at jane.hardy@alia.org.au in the next couple of weeks. Thank you.

STATE

Public library reform (WA)

Key bodies involved with public libraries in WA have formed a strategic library partnership agreement steering committee to drive change in 10 priority areas.

The move follows the publication of the Structural Reform of Public Libraries Services in Western Australia report in August 2007 and the subsequent recommendations of a taskforce in August 2008.

The priority areas include:

  • Management of collections;
  • ICT;
  • Professional development;
  • Operational efficiencies;
  • Standards;
  • Performance measures, and
  • Creating a new funding model.
The committee includes representatives from the Library Board of WA; the WA Local Government Association, Public Libraries WA, the Department of Local Government and the Local Government Managers’ Association.

Premier’s Literary Award Winners (VIC)

Christos Tsiolkas has won the fiction prize in the Victorian Premier’s annual literary awards for The Slap, Chloe Hooper received the non- fiction prize for her book The Tall Man.

Other award winners were Sue Saliba, with Something in the World Called Love, which took first place in the young adult fiction category; Lisa Clifford for Death in the Mountains, first in the ‘writing about Italians’ category; and Robert Adamson for The Golden Bird, top in poetry.

New Association Logo (QLD)

It has been almost 10 years since QPLA implemented their current Logo, and whilst it has served them well, the QPLA Executive thought it would be great to freshen up the image.

To see the new logo choices and cast your vote - go to: http://www.qpla.asn.au/

Public Library-University partnership (NSW)

Fairfield City Library Service received a $36,000 cheque from the University of Western Sydney (UWS), after a first year partnership delivering yourtutor to the library’s younger audience. The Universities financial support is making it possible for even more local students to have access to the free online tutoring service. The $36,000 will go towards expanding capacity of Fairfield City’s yourtutor program, and, depending on budgets, UWS hopes to support more western Sydney councils in 2010.

Canberra community to benefit from two new libraries (ACT)

Kingston Library will be the ninth branch of the ACT Public Library and is expected to open in late 2009. It will be a dynamic shop front library located in a popular inner south shopping precinct. The ACT Government has allocated $890,000 for capital construction in the current financial year and $3.29 million in operational funding over 4 years.

Construction has also begun on the new Gungahlin Library, which will be eight times the size of the existing Gungahlin Library. Key features of the new library include: learning rooms for community programs and activities, media zone, cafe, integrated courtyard space, and RFID and smart chute technology. The library is expected to open in early 2011. Co-located with the new Gungahlin College, the ACT Government is investing approximately $12 million in the library complex, which will also include college library and CIT Flexible Learning Centre facilities.

Visit the ACT Public Library web site http://www.library.act.gov.au or the library's Flickr photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/librariesact to view plans and concept images for both libraries.

NATIONAL

NAPCAN (National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) survey

Australian public libraries are encouraged to support this important initiative over the next two months. The National Attitudinal Survey is an innovative community project designed to gauge Australia’s attitudes on issues of child abuse and neglect.

Led by NAPCAN and supported by the Federal Government, the short 15min survey will bring together Australia’s public sector, business, communities and individuals to form one voice against child abuse and neglect.

Consider this:
  • Over 30,000 children are abused or neglected in Australia every year.
  • 1 in 3 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18.
  • 1 in 7 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
How can you act right now? By logging on now to:

http://www.preventingchildabuse.com.au

There are also some excellent resources for public libraries to use to promote the survey that can be downloaded from the website.

After you have finished the survey, forward the link to other staff, colleagues and your family and friends.

By doing so you will join NAPCAN’s Children’s Champion, Therese Rein, Channel 7 personality and 2007 Father of the Year David Koch, 100s of businesses, government departments and community organisations, and thousands of other Australians in acting to keep our children safe into the future.

NAPCAN thanks public librarians in supporting this survey and in publicising it your libraries.

http://www.preventingchildabuse.com.au/

Children’s Book of the Year 2009

The Children’s Book Council of Australia has announced its 2009 Book of the Year winners.

For a list of the winners go to: http://cbca.org.au/winners2009.htm
Or download the list in PDF from: http://cbca.org.au/BookOfTheYear/2009/pdf/winners%202009.pdf

2009 Prime Minister's Literary Awards - shortlist announced

Arts Minister Peter Garrett has announced the 15 Australian books shortlisted for the 2009 Prime Minister's Literary Awards. Minister Garrett said the Awards, now in their second year, have again recognised an outstanding collection of must-read Australian titles. "Our 2009 judging panel have recommended fiction and non-fiction shortlists that highlight the talent of Australia's authors. The lists celebrate the work of established Australian authors but also identify new and emerging talent on our literary stage."

Fiction shortlist
  • The Pages - Murray Bail
  • People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks
  • Wanting - Richard Flanagan
  • Everything I Knew - Peter Goldsworthy
  • One Foot Wrong - Sofie Laguna
  • The Boat - Nam Le
  • The Good Parents - Joan London
Non-Fiction shortlist
  • Van Diemen's Land - James Boyce
  • Doing Life: A Biography of Elizabeth Jolley - Brian Dibble
  • Gough Whitlam: A Moment in History - Jenny Hocking
  • The Tall Man: Death and Life on Palm Island - Chloe Hooper
  • House of Exile: The Life and Times of Heinrich Mann and Nelly Kroeger-Mann - Evelyn Juers
  • Drawing the Global Colour Line - Marilyn Lake and Henry Reynolds
  • The Henson Case - David Marr
  • American Journeys - Don Watson
http://www.arts.gov.au/pmliteraryawards

Selected national public library statistics 2006-2007

Australia’s public libraries provide quality information services that support lifelong learning to the Australian community, significantly impacting on the cultural and information industry.

  • Access to services is provided through a network of 1,513 public library service points (1,432 fixed point libraries and 81 mobile libraries) throughout Australia, one service point for every 13,890 persons. Over 68% of public libraries are open for more than 30 hours each week, with more than 30% of libraries being open more than 45 hours per week.
  • Usage of libraries has continued to increase with 183 million items being lent to the 9.9 million members of Australia’s public libraries. Over 111 million visits by customers were recorded in 2006-2007 (9.3 million visits per month), reflecting the strong growth in customer visits per head of population from 4.61 to 5.32 in the five-year period. (Western Australia reported visitor figures for the first time in 2005-2006)
  • Library services were delivered by 8,268 (FTE) staff employed in Australian Public libraries and library collections of more than 40 million items (1.9 items per person) were made available for the use of the community. Over $105 million was spent on ensuring that these collections remain up to date and relevant.
  • Public libraries have continued to support the ever-growing demand for access to information technology and resources, with an overall increase in the number of public access Internet terminals. A total of 7,524 terminals provide Internet access, and in addition a further 1,436 public access computer terminals were provided for word processing, CD-ROM use etc.
  • Total expenditure on public libraries has increased from $615 million in 2002-2003 to $757 million in 2006-07, representing a 23% increase. Expressed on a per capita basis, funding for public libraries has increased by 16% over the same period to $36.05.
To download the full report in PDF - go to: http://tinyurl.com/nsla-statistics-2006-07

INTERNATIONAL

International School Library Month - October 2009

The 2009 theme is School Libraries: A Big Picture. There are great bookmarks and posters for younger and older students to download from the website. The International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) is asking school libraries to send in your submissions for "What people are doing for ISLM 2009" – see the details on the website.

http://www.iasl-online.org/events/islm/

Oracles in the community

Glasgow artist Frank McNab has an interesting series of paintings on display in an exhibition at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow. Running until the end of October the paintings have the common theme of 'Libraries in the Community' and are a celebration of both the buildings themselves and their patrons. Check out the link not just for the obvious quality of the works on display but also to see if YOU can be the one to solve the riddle hidden within the paintings themselves.

http://frankmcnab.com/Oracles.html

Learn the librarian

Children's book author Tammi Sauer and illustrator Dan Santat came up with a series of dance moves in honor of their new book Chicken Dance. Sauer's first move is called "The Librarian."

Watch the video at: http://www.ilovelibraries.org/news/topstories/rollerderbydancing.cfm

Ulverscroft Foundation Best Practice Awards

IFLA and Ulverscroft wish to encourage worldwide applications from all persons and organisations interested in improving library services for visually impaired people.

The Ulverscroft Foundation and the IFLA Libraries Serving Persons with Print Disabilities Section (LPD) are pleased to announce that the Foundation has agreed to provide renewed sponsorship of 20,000 GP Pounds in 2009 to continue a best practice development programme which commenced in 2003.

Further details of the awards and an application form for individual awards can be found on the Ulverscroft Foundation website at http://www.foundation.ulverscroft.com/award809.htm

Applications should be submitted by 31 December 2009.

For further details please contact:
Ulverscroft: Joyce Sumner at j.sumner@ulverscroft.co.uk
IFLA LPD: Jenny Craven at j.craven@mmu.ac.uk

CONFERENCES

LIANZA Conference – Christchurch, 12-14 October 2009

LIANZA Conference 2009: He Tangata He Tangata He Tangata 12-14 October 2009, Christchurch, New Zealand

The Conference Programme sub-committee announces a fantastic opportunity to experience a conference first - father and daughter keynote speaker duo. A bi-cultural event, which promises to be inspirational and very interesting.

Website: http://www.lianza.org.nz/events/conference2009/speakers.html
Blog: http://lianza2009.wordpress.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lianzacon2009

PLA/QPLA Conference – Townsville, 11-14 October 2009

The conference will be held in Townsville, Queensland from 11 to 14 October 2009 with the theme being Change and Challenge.

http://www.pla.org.au/conferences.html

SWITCH: Public Libraries in a Changing Environment - 23-24 November 2009

Please refer to the Public Libraries NSW Metropolitan Association's website for more information: http://www.plmnsw.org.au or http://tinyurl.com/plmnsw-conference

Public Libraries NSW Country Conference - Albury, 13-16 July 2010

The title of the conference is IMPACT, and the program aims to address a variety of current and emerging issues associated with contemporary library service provision. A lively social program will complement the speakers program to provide an informative, friendly and enjoyable conference experience for all delegates. This is the first joint country-metropolitan conference to be hosted by Public Libraries NSW – Country, and we expect a great deal of interest from both country and metropolitan delegates.

More information will be advised regarding this conference will be available soon.

WEB RESOURCES

Public library strategies for building stronger economies and communities

The business of local economic development today is in flux. Communities face considerable challenges as they assess their strengths and competitive position amid changing global markets, technology advances, and the transition to new economies that produce ideas and thrive on rapid exchange of information.

The game has changed. Traditional local economic development strategies that sought to attract outside industries and invest in manufacturing and distribution infrastructure are now giving way to strategies that build the local assets of a knowledge economy: a focus on education outcomes, skills and pipelines for information-era jobs and workforce, a diverse and thriving small business sector that has regional and global reach, infrastructure for rapid and current information and data exchange, and investment in civic spaces that promote the interchange of ideas and cultures.

In this context, public libraries are taking the opportunity to review their roles, resources, programs, and partnerships to improve the human, social, and physical assets that will build the next economies.

The full article is available in PDF from: http://www.ncl.org/publications/ncr/97-3/Libraries.pdf

10 small ideas for public libraries

  • Address the fragmented nature of the public library network and broker common ICT and content agreements.
  • Promote the role of libraries to key government departments and bodies as a way of tackling social and educational objectives and cross promote public libraries with other cultural institutions (art galleries, museums etc).
  • Forge links and alliances with key media players and use web 2.0 to deliver local news content (incl. local classified ads).
  • Target lapsed-library users and non-users via partnerships with other recipients of local government funding e.g. schools, hospitals and leisure services.
  • Set up a network of homework-help clubs (both physical and online).
  • Establish a network of computer kiosks within shopping centres and post offices (especially in rural areas) to offer library services.
  • Offer Bill Pay and Government form filling services for people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
  • Hold more events that bring together authors publishers and readers (e.g. a library prize for best new book).
  • Hold job fairs, healthy eating talks and crime reduction in libraries.
  • Link public libraries to public (government) schools to help populate their curricula (especially local history).
From ‘What’s Next : Top Trends - http://toptrends.nowandnext.com/?p=648

Breaking down barriers – dogs and cats in public libraries

When Vicki Myron arrived for the morning shift at Spencer Public Library on January 18, 1988, she never expected to find a frightened, half frozen eight-week-old kitten staring back at her from the bottom of the library’s drop box. Vicki felt instant warmth and tenderness when she looked into his eyes — a feeling she wanted to share with the library’s patrons. That kitten, later named Dewey Readmore Books, would become the celebrated symbol of a rural Iowa community, bringing joy and comfort to the lives of all who knew him.

To read the full article in PDF – go to: http://tinyurl.com/dogsandcatsinlibraries

YouTube library-related videos

The American Library Association has picked out five of their favourite library-related YouTube videos.

http://www.atyourlibrary.org/libraries-and-librarians-get-creative-youtube-watch-our-top-5-favorites

FEEDBACK

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