BEVERIDGE, WALLAN, UPPER PLENTY, CLONBINANE, HEATHCOTE JUNCTION, WANDONG, BYLANDS, FORBES, KILMORE, KILMORE EAST, MITCHELL SHIRE COUNCIL. WATERFORDLearning and LibraryPARK, Strategy SUNDAY CREEK, MORANDING,2014 - 2024 WILLOWMAVIN, HIGH CAMP, NULLA VALE, GLENAROUA, SUGARLOAF CREEK, HILDENE, TALLAROOK, TRAWOOL, WHITEHEADS CREEK, SEYMOUR, PUCKAPUNYAL, HIGHLANDS, TARCOMBE, NORTH NORTHWOOD, TOOBORAC, GLENHOPE, GLENHOPE EAST, MIA MIA, HEATHCOTE SOUTH, BROADFORD, WALLAN, UPPER PLENTY, CLONBINANE, HEATHCOTE JUNCTION, WANDONG, BYLANDS, FORBES, KILMORE, FORBES, NULLA Contents 1. Introduction 1. Introduction 3 1.1 Background 3 1.1 Background 1.2 Purpose 1.2 Purpose 3 The Mitchell Shire is located in regional Victoria, just over The Mitchell Shire Council (Council) recognises that in 1.3 Vision for Lifelong Learning 3 an hour drive from the heart of Melbourne. Due to the addition to providing core infrastructure and services, it 1.4 Process 3 relative affordability of housing in the area and its proximity must also take steps to support improvements in social and to Melbourne, the southern region has become an attractive economic outcomes. This objective is reflected throughout residential location especially for young families. High Council’s suite of community plans and strategies. Providing 2. Lifelong Learning, Libraries and 4 levels of population growth are expected to continue in the modern library services and supporting a culture of lifelong Local Government region over the next ten years and beyond. Compared to learning within the community are some of the ways in neighbouring local governments and Victoria as a whole, the which these outcomes can be achieved. The purpose 2.1 Lifelong Learning 4 Mitchell Shire scores poorly on a series of socio-economic of this report is to identify Council’s role in the strategic 2.2 Contemporary Library Services 4 Mitchell Shire Council is appreciative measures such as unemployment rates and the proportion development of libraries and lifelong learning 2.3 Connection Between Lifelong Learning 5 of the contribution made by individuals, of residents completing Year 12. and Libraries community groups and other organisations to the development of the 1.3 Vision for Lifelong Learning and Library Services 2.4 Summary 6 Mitchell Learning and Library Strategy. The vision for the Mitchell Shire Council is: “Together with our community, create a sustainable future.” Thanks also to David Sinclair and 3. Lifelong Learning Strategy 7 Sarah-Jane Conroy from AEC Group The vision for lifelong learning and library services is: 3.1 The need for a Mitchell Shire Lifelong 7 who undertook the project. “To connect, inform and enrich our community.” Learning Strategy We acknowledge the traditional owners 3.2 Current Provision 7 of country throughout Australia, and their We will achieve this through: 3.3 Strategic Priorities for the Mitchell Shire 10 continuing connection to land, sea • Providing access to current and relevant resources and technologies and community. 3.4 Lifelong Learning Strategy Action Plan 13 • Developing partnerships and creating opportunities to foster learning across all stages of life We pay our respects to them, their cultures, 18 • Delivering services that are adaptable and targeted to the needs of our community 3.5 Summary of Implications and to elders both past and present. • Providing spaces that are inviting, accessible and serve diverse community needs 4. Library Strategy 19 • Ensuring our staff have technical and local knowledge and are experts in engaging with our community. 4.1 The need for a Mitchell Shire Library Strategy 19 4.2 Current Provision 20 March 2014 1.4 Process • Detailed consultation exercise, which included: – Library staff 4.3 Strategic Priorities for the Mitchell Shire 20 This report has been developed following a five step process 4.4 Library Strategy Action Plan 21 which has included: – Key Council staff 4.5 Summary of Implications 31 • Establishment of a vision for the Learning and Library – Community (workshops and intercept surveys) Strategy – Schools (Principals and/or teacher librarians) • Comparison of the key socio-demographic measures and – Higher education providers (e.g. GoTAFE, regional References 32 trends in the Mitchell Shire relative to comparison regions universities) Appendix A: Community Profile 34 • Review of best practice in service delivery within other – Regional development bodies (e.g. RDA Hume). Appendix B: Mitchell Shire Library Services 38 jurisdictions and identification of the impact for the Mitchell Shire Page 2 Mitchell Shire Learning and Library Strategy Mitchell Shire Learning and Library Strategy Page 3 2. Lifelong Learning, Libraries and Local Government Lifelong learning is a frequently misunderstood concept and libraries are often associated with 2.2 Contemporary Library Services • Electronic links between homes and libraries and the rooms filled with dusty books. It is therefore important to establish a shared understanding of life- delivery of services online will continue to increase. Community needs and expectations are changing, and to • Virtual library services will be provided 24 hours a day. long learning and contemporary libraries and library services before considering the appropriate role remain relevant libraries must also continue to evolve. While of local government in their delivery. traditional lending remains at the heart of library services, There has been a significant and ongoing transition from libraries also need to provide contemporary services aligned standalone library services to the development of vibrant to the needs of the community they serve. The Better Public mixed spaces offered in partnership with other partners. In Australia and New Zealand, says Alan Bundy, president of 2.1 Lifelong Learning Communities that engage in high levels of lifelong learning Libraries report identified the following trends in public Friends of Libraries Australia, activities have been found to have higher levels of socio- library service delivery: “…a continuously supportive process which economic prosperity and community cohesion. Education • The adaptability of internal design, circulation spaces, “it is now generally accepted that new public libraries stimulates and empowers individuals to acquire all the and skills development can have tangible economic access and hours of services will become key factors in should not be standalone, but should be, at minimum, knowledge, values, skills and understanding they will outcomes. An assessment of the contribution of education the design and operation of libraries. within shopping centres as key retail anchors or collocated require throughout their lifetimes and to apply them to growth in per capita GDP in Australia between 1969 and with other community facilities and agencies such as • Future libraries will be developed in partnership with with confidence, creativity and enjoyment, in all roles 2003 found that about 31 percent of the real growth was swimming pools, child care centres, family health and other services with stand-alone libraries becoming circumstances, and environments.” (Watson, 2003) contributed by education. This highlights the benefits of medical clinics — and that they should be multiuse and increasingly rare. access to post compulsory education, particularly vocational provide a range of spaces.” education and training and higher education and its • Long stay use of libraries for study purposes requires In trying to activate libraries and make them busier spaces, The rapid development and spread of new technologies like potential impact on individual and community outcomes friendly and efficient support services such as toilets, partnerships with public and private stakeholders can have electronic tablets and smart phones mean it is increasingly (Cooray, 2009). catering and recreational quiet zones. significant benefits, including additional exposure, creating important that we continue to learn new things throughout key community assets and highly activated spaces. There our lifetimes. Lifelong learning is about providing access to • Children’s and youth services will grow in importance as are also cost efficiencies from sharing overhead costs and a range of learning opportunities throughout people’s lives the library becomes a secure, electronic safe haven. maximising the use of the available spaces. to support continuous development and improvement of • Reading development and literacy are likely to become knowledge and skills. even more central to what libraries offer communities. Formal A key feature of lifelong learning is that it is not confined to • Universities • The trend towards smaller, more targeted collections will traditional teaching environments and can be undertaken • VET providers Non-formal • High Schools continue. in formal education, informal education and alternative • Labour Market Programs • Primary Schools • There will be a higher level of community engagement by learning environments. The following figure provides some • Professional Associations • Pre-schools • On the job training • U3A library staff and programs will increasingly be delivered examples of each type of setting encompassing traditional • Work Experience Programs onsite. learning spaces (schools, universities, places of work) and • Volunteer organisations • Childcare alternatives such as community infrastructure. • Learning circles • Librarians will change their role from custodians to knowledge navigators and their community development Alternative