Reimagining

1
Reimagining

• We recognise that parts of this Plan have
  implications for other organisations,
  particularly public libraries, and we will invite
  participation and communicate our progress.

2
Reimagining

• Inspirational
• International collaboration!
• Visionary yet pragmatic
• Role model for public libraries
• Opportunities for public libraries communities
  to participate and benefit

3

• Do it now! initiatives to improve services
  immediately
• 2. Open borders opening up access to
  e-resources and services across our libraries
• 3. Virtual reference integrating virtual
  reference as a core function, with a new business
  and resourcing model
• 4. Delivery developing a standard service
  model for user-requested document supply
• 5. Community created content identifying and
  implementing a framework and tool set for
  everyone to create and transform online content

4

• Changing capability and culture developing a
  framework for new work environments
• 7. Collaborative collections delivering
  efficiencies through collaborative collecting
• 8. Flexible cataloguing designing improved
  business processes for collection management
• 9. Scaling up digitisation demonstrating the
  economic benefits of mass digitisation and
  defining best practice in management of digital
  collections
• 10. Connecting and discovering content
  enhancing metadata and making collection holdings
  more visible and linked online.

5
Challenges for Public Libraries

• Size
• Parochialism
• Basis for measuring success
• Digital products replacing objects
• Customer expectations
• Ubiquitous Internet
• Governance uncertainty
• Staff skills

6
Reimagining Public Libraries?

• Size Amalgamation / Collaboration
• Parochialism? articulate the benefits of
  collaboration
• Success? gatekeeper to navigator
• Outreach through partnerships
• Utilise technology RFID, top tier ILMS
• Fewer staff who are skilled to deliver on
  organisational vision
• EVIDENCE

7
International examples

• Helsinki
• Info Gas Station, laptop Dr, cable TV lending,
  intense public programs, innovative opening
  hours, regional consortium - 1.3m people,
  highest library use literacy levels in the
  world, Large buildings allowing for conflicting
  use
• Stockholm
• 60 branches specialist libraries in the
  network Youth, Film Music Theatre, Comics,
  Community Languages etc.
• Amsterdam
• 30,000M2 10 story library Radio station,
  theatre, café 20 local branches
• Delft (DOK)
• Amazing building furniture, media literacy,
  outreach TV programs, art collections