NAMBUCCA SHIRE COUNCIL Library Strategy 2018-2022 Contents Acknowledgement of Country Introduction 4 The Nambucca Shire Council acknowledges the Gumbaynggirr Nation as the traditional Background 4 custodians of the lands within its local government boundaries. We would like to Context 6 acknowledge elders both past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal Creative economy 6 and Torres Strait Islander people. Cultural tourism 6 The benefits of libraries 7 Nambucca Library Future Options Survey 2018 8 Community research 9 Interviews, meetings, discussions 9 Online survey results 9 Consistent themes 10 Flexible meeting spaces 10 Youth and learning 11 Under-serviced, under-utilised locations 11 Interim report 12 Current state 13 Library Strategy: Guide 14 Learning: everyone, every age, everywhere 14 Key areas: Summary 16 Commissioned by: Learning: everyone, every age, everywhere 17 NAMBUCCA SHIRE COUNCIL 44 Princess Street Macksville NSW 2447 Connecting: people, enterprise, communities 19 PO Box 177 Macksville NSW 2447 Supporting: art, memory, culture 22 Preliminary costings 25 Written and produced by: Next steps 26 Project Sisu Timeline 26 www.projectsisu.com Key actions 26 Designed by: Pro Bono Publico Glossary of Terms 27 www.probono.com.au Bibliography 27 © Copyright 2018 3 Introduction The purpose of the Nambucca Shire Library Strategy is to position the library service for the future. Ultimately, this means extending the reach of the library into the lives of every Nambucca Shire resident. Finding new reasons to use and enjoy their Background library service, residents will also find new Nambucca Shire Library Service consists reasons to support it. of two libraries: a small, centrally located The library service can achieve these goals library at Nambucca Heads; a larger library by continuing to evolve its core services. located in Macksville, opposite the Shire’s The service has gradually improved its There are three primary Building on its recognised strengths, it administrative offices. It is a popular technology offerings. With access to NBN, drivers of success: will thereby transform its presence and service, attracting close to 100,000 the library service can now offer better and reputation throughout the Shire. visits per year. l flexible, attractive spaces that can faster wifi speeds and bandwidth. accommodate a multitude of uses Public libraries have exhibited resilience and With the appointment of a new library l diverse programming and partnerships, imagination in how they have navigated the manager in 2017, the service has also supported by responsive library challenges of the 21st century. Nambucca been able to conduct more community collections and systems Shire’s Library Service is no exception. outreach, building new partnerships and l skilled library staff. Since 2012, when Nambucca Shire withdrew opportunities for collaboration. from the Clarence Regional Library Service, The strategy contains objectives and “The local library The library strategy aims to stabilise the it has refreshed its collection of books, actions that address each of these is a community hub where service, building on the foundations that magazines, e-resources and access to success factors. people can get together and now exist. Over the four-year timeline, online information. interact with different cultures and there will also be an emphasis on learn about ongoing changes and It has also been successful in attracting expanding and deepening library trends within the community.” grant funding for the introduction of services and offerings. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). “Absolutely fantastic. “The centre of the community. This technology has benefits for library I would be lost without it.” An essential community asset that users and staff, improving the borrowing must be retained at all costs.” experience and enabling better circulation “Cool spot, needs Nambucca Library Future and tracking of library items. remodelling, great staff.” Options Survey 2018 Nambucca Library Future Options Survey 2018 4 NAMBUCCA SHIRE COUNCIL Library Strategy 2018-2022 5 Context The benefits of libraries The Nambucca Shire has a population of around 20,000 people. Contemporary libraries are more than repositories for books. There is modest population growth predicted over the next decade. While borrowing is still, and should remain, l and, of course, they still provide a core library service, its unquestioned free access to books, newspapers, The population is relatively homogeneous Creative economy primacy is receding in the minds of the magazines, music and film in either with a majority Anglo-Celtic bias and communities libraries serve. People have physical or digital formats. The Nambucca Shire has been proactive less ethnic diversity than adjacent Mid- come to expect more from their libraries; and strategic in supporting light to medium Bellingen Shire, with half the population of North Coast LGA’s. There is, however, an and libraries have reinvented themselves manufacturing industries in its designated Nambucca, supports three branch libraries. Aboriginal population of around eight to match and exceed these more complex industrial zones. Its cluster oriented Coffs Harbour City Council will give its per cent, which is higher than the NSW expectations. approach has yielded positive outcomes for community a modern, large and multifaceted average. The age profile skews towards manufacturing, agribusiness and boutique There are sound economic, social city library as part of its new Cultural and Civic an ageing demographic in line with the commercial enterprises across the Shire. and cultural imperatives driving an Space Project. New or enhanced libraries region generally. There is a noticeable This successful approach could now be unprecedented investment in public have been delivered in Port Macquarie, pattern of younger people and families used to support the cultural and creative libraries by City and Regional Councils Kempsey, Tamworth and Grafton. attracted to the Mid North Coast by more economy already extant in the Valley. Once across Australia. affordable housing and healthy lifestyles. Libraries do more than any other cultural again, the library service can play a critical Like neighbouring Mid North Coast areas, Today’s new and revamped libraries: institution to promote community role in supporting industry and commerce, these changing demographics, combined l provide meeting rooms for a limitless range interaction and democratic cultural as well as new and emerging cultural and with a greater emphasis on cultural of learning, business and cultural needs exchange; they support employment creative enterprises. outcomes, provide spaces for creatives tourism, generate a strong demand for, if l provide access to digital technologies, not insistence on, more complex cultural Cultural tourism equipment and skills, especially for those to create, support literacy and the literary offerings and experiences. It is in this who may struggle to gain access otherwise arts, and collect and interpret unique local The Shire is also investigating new histories. The return on investment from a context that a contemporary library service l support educational outcomes through pathways for tourism and destination contemporary library service is greater than can play a central role. targeted programs, collections and marketing. Visitor information services, any other cultural or community asset. the provision of essential visitor needs outreach services such as wifi, computers and recharging l provide attractive, free, welcoming stations, and the potential for new forms of spaces in which people can meet, sit, read, learn, use WIFI, play music, make “No place in Macksville to hold cultural tourism can all be supported by a things, exchange ideas, attend lectures “The library needs more a meeting unless it is a pub or a contemporary library service. and classes, study, and, in some cases, funding. A shire levy would club, library would be a better experience art making and performance be a great idea and would place to hold community give the funding needed to group meetings.” increase services.” Female, 35-44, Nambucca Male, 65+, Nambucca Library Future Library Future Options Options Survey 2018 Survey 2018 6 NAMBUCCA SHIRE COUNCIL Library Strategy 2018-2022 7 Nambucca Library Future Community research Options Survey 2018 Between November 2017 and March 2018, creative consultancy 241 “ 44% 35% Use firm, Project Sisu, met with and interviewed a range of different ” Retired Majority English Under 65 Nambucca stakeholders. In addition, an online survey, available between Respondents speakers Heads Library November 2017 and February 2018, attracted 241 responses 17% attracts Work full-time 29% slightly from across the community. 26% 8% Aged 54>64 more users (around 45%) Interviews, meetings, Online survey results Aboriginal 19% Average discussions The online survey attracted 241 responses. Work part-time Male identification 25% usage/ Stakeholder consultations included: In summary, the highest response rate was Aged 35>54 visitation from female, over 65, retired community l General Manager once per members. This demographic is most l All library staff 74% 84% week likely to use/visit the Nambucca Heads or 11% l Specialist Council staff - community Macksville library at least once a week. Believe library service is the development, economic development, Under 35 Female Shire’s most valuable public asset tourism, information technology,