Annual Report 2017 - 2018 Welcome. This annual report celebrates the work and achievements of the past 12 months as informed by the vision, mission and goals set out in the Geelong Regional Library Corporation’s Strategic Plan: Reading Ahead, Library Plan 2017 to 2021. Contents 05 Message from the Chair 06 Message from the CEO 07 Chapter 1 – About Us 19 Chapter 2 – Our Libraries 41 Chapter 3 – Heritage Services 47 Chapter 4 – The Digital Library 51 Chapter 5 – Information Services and Collections 55 Chapter 6 – Programs and Events 73 Chapter 7 – Access and Inclusion 75 Chapter 8 – Our People 90 Legislative Compliance 91 Financial Report 2 Our Vision Our Mission A thriving regional community To be an exemplary library service. • Enriched by reading We will create opportunities for our community to read, learn, • Empowered by learning work and connect with each other • Inspired by information and the world: and ideas. • by providing safe, welcoming and inclusive places and spaces • by facilitating equitable access to collections, programs, information and technology • by nurturing discovery, creativity and innovation • through the knowledge, expertise and encouragement of library staff. 3 Our Goals The Geelong Regional Goal One. Goal Three. Library Corporation Join up, join in Great customer experiences (GRLC) strives to enrich, To deliver greater benefit to our Our library users rate our performance empower and inspire the community we must grow library usage very highly. We aim to do even better. community we serve by and library membership. More readers, The quality of the customer experience more loans, more library visits, more in our libraries and in library programs providing library services downloads, more people participating is directly related to the attitudes, and experiences that create in library programs. We will reach out to knowledge and skills of our staff. and engage new library users, especially We will empower and equip them to opportunities for people those in greatest need of support, so respond to users’ needs in the most that they can access and benefit from friendly, professional and expert to read, learn, work and the many services we offer. manner possible. connect with one another and the ever-changing Goal Two. Goal Four. world in which they live. Making life better Regional strength, local feel Over the next four years Everyone is welcome at the library, Among the state’s 47 public libraries and the library has something to make GRLC best displays the desired our Library Plan will everyone’s life better. We will: combination of high service levels, guide us as we move • .foster a love of reading in people of collections quality and usage delivered all ages at average industry cost. We are ahead, striving to leave Victoria’s leading public library service. • .support development of reading and We will strive to remain an industry and no community member digital literacies – essential life skills in community leader. We will build on the modern age behind. We will focus on the strength of a collaborative regional four key goals. • .facilitate access to authoritative approach, realising opportunities trusted information for efficient and sustainable service • .support digital and social inclusion delivery, while retaining a local feel in provision of library services to meet the • .fire the imagination through thought- provoking and inspiring experiences varying needs of communities across the Geelong region. • .work with our partners to connect people with the services they need • .share stories and celebrate our heritage, our many cultures and our aspirations. 4 Message from our Chair It is my honour to present the 2017/18 • Enabling the creation of informed In addition to all of this, our public libraries Annual Report of the Geelong Regional communities and supporting and also generate significant economic Library Corporation. strengthening democracy through benefit, activity and development. the equitable and free access to local Cost-benefit analysis conducted in 2018 and global information sources. In a by SGS Economics and documented in global environment where each new Libraries Work! The Socio-Economic generation creates more information Value of Public Libraries to Victorians In my first year in the and creative content than all previous found that GRLC libraries generate $3.80 generations combined, public libraries of benefit for every dollar invested. The role as Chair of the are more important than ever before. report states that “Additional funding for Geelong Regional Library Public libraries support, defend and public libraries has close to zero risk of promote intellectual freedom and generating diminishing returns.” Board – and as a great strengthen communities through supporter of the work of information and knowledge. The above-mentioned report was generated as part of the three-year state- public libraries – it is a • Being a dynamic, vibrant contributor wide ADVOCATE program, organised pleasure to reflect on the to cultural life, providing welcoming through a partnership between the innovative spaces for communities to State Library Victoria and the Public contribution, achievements connect. Our libraries move beyond Libraries Victoria Network, in which we the traditional offering of reading, look forward to actively participating. and challenges of the literacy and literary activities. They are The campaign, entitled Libraries Change GRLC over the past places where you may attend a lecture, Lives, seeks to raise awareness of the exhibition or performance; create art value and impact of public libraries and twelve months. or music; or develop new ideas and to ensure greater levels of sustainable skills. Library activities are cultural in funding, particularly from State many senses of the word – cultural in Government whose contribution as a that they animate community life and proportion of total cost is the lowest it In 2017, as we marked the 20th cultural in their dedication to the arts, has ever been. anniversary of the Corporation, we books and ideas. were provided an opportunity to reflect I am pleased to have received the on the significant benefits afforded • Providing free and universal access to baton and to lead the Board of a highly by the partnership between our four information technology infrastructure, successful library partnership. I would member councils. For this successful digital literacy and technology like to thank each of our member model we can thank the wisdom of our resources. This is very important as councils, as well as my fellow Board forebears who paved the way for the equality of access to information members, GRLC staff and volunteers, Corporation, when in 1963 the Shire of has moved beyond the written word and the communities we serve for your Corio and City of Geelong joined forces to now include technology, digital contribution this year. All of you have to provide superior library services to resources and digital equipment. We played a role in ensuring that the GRLC the communities they served. Nothing take seriously our role in enhancing is performing at its very best, and I look demonstrates the power of collaboration digital inclusion and as a community forward to working with you as we embark more clearly than the results of an leader in providing access to new and on the next exciting chapter in our story. independent analysis which has ranked innovative technologies. the GRLC as the number one performing library in the State for the fourth year in • Building social capital by providing a row. welcoming, neutral and safe Cr Ron Nelson community spaces that are open to Chair As an organisation, we are acutely community members from all walks aware of the myriad benefits of of life and by connecting individuals, providing excellent library services, groups and government. and I am extremely proud of the world- class service that our staff delivers to communities across the region. Some of these benefits include: 5 Message from our CEO At the conclusion of 2017/18, I eagerly through our library doors, equating to other public programs. It is yet another report on another highly successful 6.3 visits for every resident in the region. wonderful example of what can be year for the Geelong Regional Library Our collections were also very much achieved through partnerships. Corporation. This year represented our appreciated, with 2.6m loans of hardcopy first 12 months guided by the Reading and eCollection items, equating to 8.5 The breadth, depth and quality of the Ahead, Geelong Regional Library loans for every resident. GRLC offer is possible only due to Corporation, Library Plan 2017-21, and the contribution and hard work of our it is pleasing to report that we have Our lifelong learning and cultural staff and volunteers; you truly are the successfully completed the majority of the programming continues to be a much- backbone of our organisation and I actions set out in the plan for this period. celebrated aspect of our service offer acknowledge each one of you for the As we enter the second year of the plan for people of all ages, and attracted over unique skills, vision and commitment we are well positioned to continue the 152,000 attendances during 2017/18. that you bring to your work. I would also positive trajectory and we look forward to Our event programming is an ever- like to extend my sincere thanks to our all the challenges and opportunities this evolving project, and each quarter our dedicated Board members for their will afford. team works hard to attract an impressive leadership, input and vision. And to our and diverse range of presenters to deliver four member Councils – thank you for Special Events, Author Encounters, Open your ongoing support and cooperative Mind Lectures, eKnowHow sessions, and approach which has allowed us to once other events at our libraries. There truly again deliver a public library service for our This report is an is something to interest everyone in our region which is second to none.