1. Library management standards
1.1 Objective
1.2 Issue Statements
1.3 Standards
To provide the community with a library service that is equitable, cost effective and efficient.
Local Government with support from the State Government is responsible for the provision and delivery of public library services. The library service should be accessible to all members of the community, with both levels of Government working towards achieving minimum standards for service and resources.
The Local Government should adopt legal agreements for contracts where necessary for the management of library services, for example, regional library services, joint library services, buildings, facilities and computer contracts.
An appropriately experienced and qualified librarian should be appointed by the Local Government as a Library Manager to manage the service.
The Library Manager is involved in the policy, budget and strategic planning process of the council. A strategic plan endorsed by council either as a standalone document or as part of the Local Government's broader planning process should be prepared within a regular planning cycle. Copies of the strategic plan should be available for public consultation.
The library service should have a formal documented organisational structure.
Mechanisms for regular consultation with the community should be established. Community profiles, user and non-user surveys and other monitoring mechanisms may be required.
The Library Manager should report regularly to Council or a Council Committee about the Library Service's performance, new developments and initiatives and special programs. As well, the Library Manager should report on technological change and developments which will affect the service in the future.
Library policy documents, for example, the collection development policy, should be supported and endorsed by Council.
Role of the Library Manager
The following responsibilities are adapted from the Australian Library and Information Association Standards document, Towards a Quality Service, and provide a framework for the effective management of the library service.
The library manager is an integral part of the council's management team which has responsibility for service delivery to the local community.
The library manager's responsibilities are:
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To have overall responsibility for the efficient and effective management of the staff, services and resources of the public library.
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To keep the Local Government informed of new developments in the field of librarianship and their potential impact on the provision of library service.
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To interact with other council services and community agencies with the aim that the library service becomes a focal point in the community.
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To co-operate with other libraries, information agencies and organisations in the community in order to maximise the availability of resources and information about these resources.
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To consider access to, and participation in, a network of library and information services including those of the national library, state library, special libraries, university and college libraries, school libraries and other public libraries.
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To collect statistics related to resources, staff, services and activities which will help evaluate performance, provide data for planning, show accountability and enable informed management decisions to be made.
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To be involved in a program at regional, state or national level which makes available standard statistical measures for all libraries.
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To prepare a long range plan stating goals, objectives, priorities, strategies, programs and policies.
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To plan and initiate new services and programs according to changing needs in the community.
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To contribute to the Local Government's overall planning and policy development and ensure that the library service is an integral part of the Local Government's broader strategic planning process.
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To provide resources for the corporate policy and planning management team.
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To attend Local Government meetings when required and provide regular reports on the operation and needs of the library service.
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To prepare an annual report or input with Council's annual report and distribute as widely as possible.
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To contribute and be involved in activities related to the library profession as a whole in order to maintain the library manager's professional expertise.
Last updated: 5th August 2009
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