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Expanding Horizons: positioning Queensland public libraries for the future 2008-2012

What is Expanding Horizons?
How can Expanding Horizons be used?
Background
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Expanding Horizons: Positioning Queensland public libraries for the future 2008-2012 [new window 314 kb].

What is Expanding Horizons?

Expanding Horizons - Positioning Queensland public libraries for the future 2008-2012 - is a collaborative positioning statement co-developed by the State Library (SLQ), the Queensland Public Libraries Association (QPLA) [new window] and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) [new window].

Expanding Horizons, published in 2008 with Ministerial approval, provides a succinct picture of the value and potential of Queensland public libraries. An implementation plan [new window 51 kb] has been developed with QPLA and LGAQ and was approved by the Library Board of Queensland.

How can Expanding Horizons be used?

Expanding Horizons articulates the contribution made by public libraries to social and cultural capital, as well as their economic and social benefits to the community. Expanding Horizons also complements Council’s local library plans and provides strategies to achieve these goals.

The document is an advocacy tool for Queensland public libraries which can be used within the Council, or to develop partnerships within the community, or used as a strategic resource to showcase the value and potential for libraries in Queensland. The document aims to:

Advance the vision and opportunities for public libraries
Provide a resource which demonstrates the nature, value and potential for public libraries
Increase community and Government understanding of the role of public libraries
Identify the critical issues facing public libraries
Reflect national and international trends in library best practice
Increase community and Government engagement with libraries
Support libraries to position themselves strategically within Council and the community
Increase the sustainability and profile of public libraries

Background

An Ideas Paper was developed and discussed at workshops in Cairns and Brisbane. Feedback was received from Councils and a Steering Committee was established with a broad range of library, local and state government representatives.

Consultants Fieldworx and 99 Consulting were contracted to facilitate a series of workshops around the state and to coordinate the development of the vision. Seven workshops were held in Cairns, Darling Downs, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Maryborough, Thuringowa and Rockhampton.

Draft themes and action areas were identified and formed the basis of a questionnaire and teleconference. All the information from the workshops, questionnaire and teleconference was collated and a first draft of the vision document was prepared and submitted to the Steering Committee. Their input was integrated into a draft positioning paper which was then distributed to all Councils for comment.

Feedback on the draft was received from Councils and key stakeholders. The Steering Committee and Management Group discussed all feedback received and where possible incorporated it into the final draft. The final draft was submitted for Ministerial approval.