Vicnet Web design and development

The Library’s Vicnet division engaged Web-development services were provided the Victorian community in a wide range for projects such as ’s Virtual Library, of information-technology activities in PictureVictoria, MyLanguage, Skills.net collaboration with industry, government Roadshow, My Connected Community and and communities. The importance of the the Public Internet Access Project. Vicnet State Library of Victoria’s community Web Development upgraded the Library’s engagement role was affirmed in 2005 when intranet, including its staff forum. the Library Board of Victoria endorsed the Vicnet Charter and Statement of Purpose. Work was undertaken for a range of community groups and community leaders, Vicnet’s purpose is to support government to such as Women in Trades Directory, Learning strengthen Victorian communities using ICT. and Innovation West, Australian Garden Vicnet engages in three major activities in History Society, Baking Industry Association pursuit of this purpose: of Victoria, Library Books for East Timor, Candy Broad MLC for North - providing ICT support services to certain Province, Bruce Mildenhall MLA for community groups and individuals Footscray, Gavin Jennings MLC for - managing projects for government agencies Melbourne Province. that focus on the relationship between ICT and individuals and groups in the Vicnet also worked in close collaboration community with the Australian Library and Information - providing ICT support services, particularly Association, developing its online Libraries connectivity, to certain public sector entities, Bandwidth Survey. including public libraries. Community internet service provision The division continued to establish far- reaching networks with the community and Internet services, particularly broadband public library sectors, and its efforts enabled DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), have provided the Library to achieve its digital-access goals critical infrastructure for the community throughout the wider community. and public library sectors. The growing availability of broadband in regional areas Vicnet’s business management and has provided opportunities for an increase administration capacity supported a wide in broadband DSL provision. In support of range of services, activities and projects: library-sector customers, regular user-group meetings were held.

30-31 More than 5000 community organisations The Public Internet Access Program (PIAP) Supporting innovation received free web-hosting services to enable initiated a Victorian Government a wide range of sites to be published, many commitment of more than $3 million to Support was provided to public library of which were selected for inclusion in support free or affordable public internet services for individual development initiatives: PANDORA. access for disadvantaged groups across Victoria. Grants have been offered in three - The biennial Pierre Gorman Award, valued While operating in an increasingly complex competitive funding rounds. at $15,000, was given to Denece Sippo of technical environment, the Vicnet call centre East Gippsland Library Service. The award maintained a high standard of customer The innovative Multilingual Senior Surfers is for innovation in service to disabled users service during 2005-06. pilot program was successfully concluded and communities. in 2005. The objective of the project was - The inaugural Libraries Building Program management to increase knowledge and understanding Communities Demonstration Project grants, of the internet among seniors from culturally valued at a total of $200,000, were awarded Vicnet’s role in delivering project and linguistically diverse backgrounds. to Goulburn Valley Regional Library management continued to be successful due Corporation, Hume Global Learning in part to significant experience in linking Vicnet community information portal Village Library Service, Upper Murray communities - particularly those in isolated Regional Library Service and Wyndham rural areas - through internet access provision, The portal continued to provide a high City Library Service. and in providing onsite training and helpdesk standard of community information, facilities. Vicnet delivered projects on behalf including 10,000 links covering a wide range Developing the workforce of a number of government departments, of topics of interest to Victorians. Syndicated including the Department of Innovation, news and weather information is available Significant effort was directed towards the Industry and Regional Development, via the portal. professional development of public library Department for Victorian Communities, staff: Department of Human Services and More than 150 front-page articles were added Department of Premier and Cabinet. to the Vicnet portal, including the feature for - Three places were subsidised at the the Commonwealth Games Photos Project, prestigious Aurora Leadership Institute, The My Connected Community project ‘Victoria at the Games’, which was developed for Teresa Aquino (Hume Global Learning continued under the Victorian Government’s as a community engagement activity. Village Library Service), Cathy Artidge Connecting Communities: The second wave (Goulburn Valley Regional Library policy. The project provides free, online Services to Public Libraries Corporation) and Trevor Mackay (Bayside community-building tools to community Library Service). groups from diverse backgrounds across the Public library projects - The Margery C Ramsay and Barrett Reid state. It supports more than 3000 groups Scholarships were awarded to Shirley and more than 50,000 users. The program’s The Framework for Collaborative Action, Prescott (Yarra-Melbourne Regional website can be found at mc2.vicnet.net.au. which defines the way in which the Library Library Corporation) and Bernadine Nolen Board of Victoria, through the State Library, and Lorraine Seeger (Eastern Regional Skills.net Roadshow, another Connecting partners with public libraries to deliver Libraries) respectively. Communities: the Second Wave program, enhanced library services to Victoria’s - Nearly 500 public library staff from across continued to raise community awareness communities, was updated. Victoria attended three day-long and understanding of the benefits of online professional-development seminars, titled technologies. To date, the Skills.net Significant statewide initiatives ‘Around the World in a Day’, ‘Public Roadshow has provided training to more Libraries 2020 Summit’ and ‘Partnering for than 16,000 Victorians statewide. The website Work began on the first year of a three-year Success’, featuring presentations by global can be accessed at roadshow.skills.net.au. cycle of Statewide Public Library library leaders from the United Kingdom, Development Projects focused on three areas: New Zealand and Finland. The Skills.net program concluded in 2005. collections and access issues, public library - Victoria’s 44 public library service managers workforce sustainability and leadership issues, were given the opportunity to participate The IT for Kindergartens project (at and the community-building role of public in a special four-part program aimed at kindergarten.vic.gov.au), in partnership libraries. Project achievements included: developing their skills in advocacy. with the Department of Human Services, continued to deliver internet connectivity - the first ever audit of Victoria’s public and helpdesk assistance to more than 1000 library collections community-based, not-for-profit - significance assessments of local history kindergartens in Victoria. This project collections held in 34 public library services demonstrated a strong combination of - development of a blueprint to improve technical and project-management skills. public library collections and access A number of staff members received awards over the next five years from the Department of Human Services - assessing the issues impacting on in recognition of their services. recruitment, retention and leadership development of public library staff - the first ever census of Victorian public library users, and development and implementation of an online survey of public library users. The State Library of Victoria has a long tradition of engaging the community, providing skills for life and fostering social cohesion through the provision of equitable access to information and resources.

32-33

A key priority of the Office of eStrategy and Innovation is to identify, develop and implement new and innovative information technology initiatives to meet the needs of the library of the 21st century.

The principle behind slv21 is the transformation of the Library’s service model to one based around digital information and access appropriate to the 21st century.

Financial Management Consultancies

The implementation of slv21 has resulted There were no consultancies greater than in a repositioned and augmented Finance $100,000. A total of 52 consultancies were function. The responsibilities now cover all engaged during 2005-06 where the total divisions, including Vicnet, which previously fee payable to the consultant was less than maintained a separate Finance function. $100,000. The total combined cost of these This restructure was undertaken specifically consultancies was $617,279. to support the delivery of slv21 by providing a single resource for financial information, Human Resources and Executive reporting, control and development. In 2005-06 the Library’s implementation During 2005-06 completed projects included: of the Human Resources Strategy continued, as a result of which significant improvements - reconfiguration and expansion of the chart in organisational performance have been of accounts to reflect the new structure achieved. - improving and enhancing internal financial reporting to meet management needs Agreement was reached with employees and - development of an Online Incident the Community & Public Sector Union Reporting module through the Human for a new Enterprise Partnership Agreement, Resources Information System Employee which will apply for a period of three years. Self Service facility The Agreement, certified by the Australian - introduction of the Business Objects Industrial Relations Commission on reporting product to expanded the ability to 13 December 2005, restored full salary create, provide and disseminate reports over alignment with the Victorian Public Service the State Library intranet while achieving agreement on a range of - introduction of expanded options for productivity improvements. The Agreement superannuation salary sacrifice to previously provides a stable base for the continuation ineligible State Library staff of constructive relationships with employees - restructure of the financial reporting to and the union over the life of the Agreement. allow for the introduction of the Arts Agencies Framework The Library’s employee Reward and - implementation of new controls and Recognition scheme continued during reporting for inventory and cash the year, providing formal recognition management for the introduction of retail of employees for their length of service operations. to the Library and for significant contribution to the improvement of their role, to their Other Financial Information work team or division or to the Library.

Material revenues arising from exchange of goods The corporate training program continued, or services including courses in Team Leadership, There were no transactions of this nature. Recruitment and Selection, Winning That Job, Conflict Management, Employee Intangible assets Induction, Employee Performance and The Library has no recorded intangible assets. Appraisal, and Dealing Personally with Change. Bank loans, bills payable, promissory notes, debentures and other loans A number of employee development There were no transactions of this nature. initiatives commenced as part of the Library’s commitment to the Organisational Capability Issued capital initiative contained in slv21. These initiatives The Library has no issued capital. include a middle management program, a training needs analysis for workplace Ex-gratia payments skills and a review of professional service There were no transactions of this nature. competencies. The programs will be offered progressively during 2006-07. Charges against assets There are no charges against assets recorded A multi-rater feedback process was conducted by the Library. for the second year in succession for members of the Senior Management Team. The Events subsequent to balance date process was implemented as an adjunct to the There were no events subsequent to established Performance Management System 30 June 2006 that will have an impact and is expected to be progressively extended on the 2006-07 reporting period. to other managers and supervisors throughout the Library. The Library has been recognised by the State The completion of the Dome Galleries and Marketing and Public Affairs Division Services Authority (SSA) for its participation the opening of Mirror of the World: books and and use of the People Matter Survey, ideas signalled the opportunity for the Library The Library has continued to enjoy the the SSA’s annual review of organisational to make new inroads into the tourist market. support of Network Ten as program partners performance. The Library was invited Targeted advertising campaigns, together with in 2006. With the generous creative support by the SSA to be one of three public sector the development of strategic relationships of Whybin TBWA & Partners, a highly organisations profiled as best practice case with tourism groups, were initiated to raise original television advertisement was studies in an SSA campaign supporting the awareness of the Library as a tourist produced focusing on Ned Kelly’s armour - use of the survey across the public sector. destination. A selection of postcards a major attraction for tourists. The and souvenirs was made available for sale at advertisement went to air in June and will The general indicators of organisational the foyer desk, while the external branding of run through to the end of 2006. health - employee turnover and absenteeism ­ the Library’s heritage building was addressed continue to suggest that the Library’s with the installation of several eye-catching Public relations campaigns promoting the performance is acceptable. Employee turnover banners on the building’s Russell Street Library’s activities and exhibitions generated for the year averaged approximately eight façade, highlighting the magnificent spaces media coverage valued in excess of $3.3 per cent (greater than 15 per cent warrants and collection treasures within. million in 2005-06. Through strengthening investigation); employee absenteeism relationships with national broadcasters (unplanned) averaged approximately four The Publications and Communications and publishers, national media coverage per cent (greater than five per cent warrants Division also has a brief to increase access increased this year, with particularly strong investigation). to the Library’s rich collections by expanding print and broadcast media coverage achieved the collection-based publishing program for the Premier’s Literary Awards, the Marketing and Communications through collaborative partnerships with Commonwealth Writers’ Prize program, authors and publishers. Lost & Found, Mirror of the World: books and Building community awareness of the ideas and National Treasures from ’s Library’s collections, services, exhibitions Great Libraries. Successful media launches and events is a vital activity for the Library. for the two latter exhibitions were assured The effective promotion of the Library draws with the participation of internationally on a range of skills including writing, editing, renowned guests - art critic Patrick graphic design, public relations and McCaughey and iconic Australian marketing. In March 2006, as part of the performer Paul Kelly respectively. organisational restructure aligned to slv21 strategic objectives, two separate divisions International speakers at the Library of the were created, focusing relevant skills in 21st Century Symposium, Joel Kotkin and Marketing and Public Affairs and in Charles Leadbeater, were well received by Publications and Communications. While national and local media. Increased Victorian maintaining their increased individual focus, provincial coverage was achieved for the the two divisions continue to work closely Library’s exhibitions and capital projects. towards the achievement of those objectives. The Library’s publishing program in 2005-06 The Library’s provincial outreach programs, saw development work on a range of such as Travelling Treasures, once again Publications and Communications Division publishing projects. A suite of publications attracted significant attention. based on the Paintings Collection is being Throughout the year, the Library’s writers, undertaken with financial support from the The Library’s strategic marketing and overall editors and graphic designers produced an Agnes Robertson Trust and in collaboration business planning is informed by annual impressive array of information, display and with Melbourne University Publishing and customer and public awareness surveys. promotional material in support of a variety its Miegunyah imprint. The first material to In 2005, an additional survey was carried of Library services, exhibitions and activities. be produced was a Cowen Gallery calendar out online to improve understanding of the Such material ranged from information fliers, and set of cards. A catalogue of the gallery Library’s online customers. Permanent surveys press advertisements and event invitations will be published in August 2006 and a larger were implemented in the Dome Galleries to banners, symposium kits, education format book exploring the historical themes and Murdoch Gallery, to be analysed on a and public programming brochures and of the collection is scheduled for publication quarterly basis. substantial corporate publications including in 2007. the Library’s annual report and State Library of Victoria News. Work supporting five major Late in 2006 a lavishly illustrated history exhibitions in the Murdoch and Dome of botanical exploration, Botanical Riches, by Galleries was particularly extensive this year, Richard Aitken, is scheduled for publication. including visual concepts for Lost & Found Another co-publication between the Library and Naked Democracy, and room brochures for and the Miegunyah Press, the book draws these two exhibitions and for the permanent heavily on the Library’s collections and the exhibition Mirror of the World: books and ideas. author’s research undertaken while on a State Library Creative Fellowship in 2004.

Also appearing later in 2006 and based on the Library’s collection is Bert & Ned: The correspondence of Albert Tucker and Sidney Nolan. Edited by Patrick McCaughey, the book is a co-publication between the Library, Melbourne University Publishing and the Heide Museum of Modern Art.

42-43 Business Initiatives Building Redevelopment Program Compliance with Building Act 1993 The State Library of Victoria redevelopment The Library’s venue-hire business continued At the commencement of 2005, Hansen works comply with the Building Act 1993. to grow, with a total end of year revenue of Yuncken Builders were awarded the The State Library of Victoria is compliant $200,000. This result has been achieved with Construction Management Contract for with the Building Code of Australia and 91 per cent of customers rating the service as Stage 6 of the Building Redevelopment with the relevant Australian Standards very good to excellent. The conference centre Program. Works commenced onsite in April for all buildings and building works. performed extremely well, achieving targeted with an expected end date of September 2006 Essential services are maintained in growth of 25 per cent to take annual revenue for the construction works and December accordance with the Building Code and to $150,000. This growth was underpinned 2006 for the final staff moves. The total the relevant Australian Standards specific by the development of the corporate customer project value for Stage 6 is $30.3 million. to the maintenance of essential services. base. Stage 6 works involve refurbishment of the Major contracts A retail pilot was conducted at the Library’s following buildings: Bindon Hall L1, L2 There were no major contracts in excess foyer desk from September to November (photographic studio, bin storage and dirty of $10 million. 2005. Following the trial, an ongoing retail works areas), Thorpe Hall L4 (storage), operation was incorporated into a new Swinburne L2, L4, L5 (offices and Victorian Industry Participation Policy reception service model operated from laboratories for Collection Management None of the State Library of Victoria’s Library’s main foyer desk. The retail presence Division), Tulk (cafe, offices for the CEO contracts valued at more than $3 million in showcases selected Library publications, and Directorate), Palmer Hall North (lockers, metropolitan areas and $1 million in regional gift cards, postcards and books and is public lounge, public toilets), Baldwin areas triggered the VIPP. The VIPP does not complemented by merchandise associated Spencer L2 (storage, decontamination apply to the offsite storage contract with the with touring exhibitions. laboratories), Kershaw L5 (offices and University of . laboratories for Collection Management The Library’s café, Mr Tulk, opened in May Division), McCallum L2 (cool/cold rooms, National Competitive Neutrality 2006. Located on the corner of La Trobe collection storage, exhibition preparation The annual review of Library fees and and Swanston streets, the café provides workspace), Pendulum Stairs, North West charges was completed during the year. seating for up to 140 diners. It offers internal Mezzanine (Foundation Lounge). A key aim of this review is to ensure that all and external dining on the north-facing fees and charges comply with the National terrace and is open to Library customers and Additional projects funded under the Competition Policy. the general public. Operated by restaurateur redevelopment and managed by the Library Frank Van Haandel, the opening of Mr Tulk include: upgrade of security system from brings a new and often-requested dimension Schlage to Smartcard, signage upgrade, to the Library. Dome Level Four exhibition space and the conversion of the current pre-action ‘Dry A review of self-service fee-based copying Pipe’ sprinkler system to ‘Wet Pipe’. conducted in 2005 recommended a managed service approach for fee-based copying. Projects funded under Arts Victoria’s Cultural Tenders were sought from organisations to Facilities Maintenance Fund and managed provide all print/copy/scan and point of sale by the Library include: refurbishment of lift equipment, consumables, service and support. safety systems to South-East Wing, North- The Library was pleased to form a strategic East Wing and Armstrong Buildings lifts, partnership with Bear Solutions (Australasia) computer-monitored emergency lighting Pty Ltd to provide a revenue share service upgrades and hazardous materials removal. solution. The new service commenced on 24 April 2006, and has introduced a smart-card In addition to the above projects, the Library process to the Library which has become received $11.5 million for the development of the Library’s registration card. The card is the 9600-square-metre offsite storage facility, provided free of charge to customers who in partnership with the University of Ballarat. can add value using cash or EFTPOS to pay The building houses a total of 40,000 linear The Library’s offsite storage facility at the University for copying and printing. It also provides metres of collection, drawn from the Library’s of Ballarat a platform for future innovation. four current offsite stores, which were decommissioned in mid-2006. The building works on the Mt Helen Campus of the University of Ballarat commenced in November 2004 and were completed in mid- December 2005. The Hon. John Brumby MP, Minister for State and Regional Development, officially opened the facility in November. The collection move was completed at the end of June 2006, and collection retrievals commenced on 9 May 2006.