1 queensland public libraries association libraries …the fourth ‘r’ sue mckerracher, alia...

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Queensland Public Libraries Association

LibRaries …the fourth ‘R’

Sue McKerracher, ALIAsue.mckerracher@alia.org.au

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How do we respond to people who ask us what purpose library and

information professionals serve in an information-rich environment, where many people have online access to

books and other resources?

STRATEGIC RESPONSE

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Inspired, knowledgeable, creative, literate, enterprising, respectful and

connected communities, where everyone has equal access to

information and ideas

OUR VISION

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Library and information professionals help

people create better futures

OUR MISSION

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Better futures for themselves

Students achieving better marks in exams

Adults learning new skills in classes

Keen readers gaining pleasure from books

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Better futures for their families

Wage-earners finding a better job

Parents sharing books with their children

Grandparents taking children to storytime

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Better futures for those who rely on

their expertise

Companies relying on their business advisors

Patients relying on their doctors

Clients relying on their lawyers

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Better futures are achieved by extending

people’s knowledge and understanding

STRATEGY

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Increased knowledge and understanding

come from access to other people’s ideas

Commentators in newspapers

Academic thinking in respected journals

Authors’ ideas expressed in novels

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The role of library and information professionals

is to find, share and connect

Find partners to enhance the service

Find information, document delivery

Find items for the loan collection

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Connect with ideas, books, information,

knowledge, resources, community

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The services delivered by library and information

professionals are unique

UNIQUE SELLING POINT

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Nowhere else will you find books, resources,

technology, expertise and physical spaces available to everyone and free at

the point of use

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Libraries are where art, culture,

community, enterprise and learning come

together

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Libraries and information services

are catalysts for discovery and

innovation

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Library and information professionals are

trusted guides

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

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We know the best places to look

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We know how to search more

thoroughly and find things faster

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We help people discover the missing

pieces

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In an expanding information marketplace, library and information professionals are more important than

ever before

MARKET POSITION

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There are more books and resources

available now than at any time in history

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People with online access are faced by

an overwhelming number of books and

resources

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Anyone can surf the internet; library and

information professionals help people navigate it

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CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE SECTOR

Challenges

• Changing landscape• Freedom of access to

information and copyright issues

• Funding restraints• Outdated image of

libraries and librarians

Opportunities

• Focus on knowledge and information

• Technological innovation

• Community support for library and information services

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How to use The Library Dividend

to advocate for Queensland public

libraries

THE LIBRARY DIVIDEND

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The Library Dividend gives us …

THE LIBRARY DIVIDEND

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A document

A dollar figure

Local comparison

Interstate comparison

Community endorsement

People would pay more

Rankings

What people value most

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State Library of Queensland

resources

THE LIBRARY DIVIDEND

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Powerpoint

Fact sheet

Library value calculator

Advocacy plan template

Presentations

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What can we do with it?

THE LIBRARY DIVIDEND

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News story for the media

Opportunity to call on friends and ambassadors for comment

Opportunity to seek out existing and new partners

Opportunity to sell our story internally, within council

Opportunity for the library team to feel good about what they do

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Great conversation starters

Nearly half of all Queenslanders are public library members …

People value the services we offer – lifelong learning, literacy, internet access, supporting local culture and the arts …

Our library returns $2.30-worth of community value for every dollar invested …

People would pay $52 a year for library services (more if they could afford to), yet we are achieving all this for just $41 …

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What is your ask?

We need a new library

We need to upgrade our building

We need more staff

We need to be included in council strategies around youth, family services, learning, arts and culture

We need funding to improve our collection

We need approval for our digital strategy

We need council to see libraries in a new light

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Ask your Mayor to launch it locally

Present it at the next council executive

Send a copy to existing and potential partners – U3A, school principal, authors

Send a copy to advocates – faith leaders, bookshops, real estate agents, doctors

Circulate around council – youth, family services, health, ageing, arts, culture

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What you will need to create

THE LIBRARY DIVIDEND

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Covering letter

Call to action

Key messages for advocates

Follow through

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Questions

THE LIBRARY DIVIDEND

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Why are Queensland results different from Victoria and New South Wales?

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Why are Queensland results different from Victoria and New South Wales?

The states are very different, especially in their land and population size and diversity

Governance, funding, management and operations are different

The studies took place at different times over a seven year period

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Why are our council’s libraries returning more or less than others?

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Why are our council’s libraries returning more or less than others?

Public libraries are designed around their communities

The level of community benefits will depend on the local community

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If people are willing to pay $52, why aren’t we charging them?

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If people are willing to pay $52, why aren’t we charging them?

‘Free at the point of use’ is a core value of libraries the world over, promoting equality

of access to information for everyone, including the most disadvantaged in

our society.

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How does this return on investment compare with other council services?

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Healthy infrastructure supports a healthy economy, attracting new employers and improving the overall quality of life in our communities. We

consistently see paybacks along our roads, rails and bridges. These dividends - safe, secure,

efficient transportation - pay us back in our day-to-day lives well in excess of every dollar we invest. Moody’s estimates every additional dollar spent on infrastructure generates a $1.44 increase in gross domestic product.

Paul Yarossi, chairman of the American Roads and Transportation Builders Association, February 2012, referring to Moody’s Analytics

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Building your own advocacy plan

WORKSHOP