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Expanding Horizons: creating a shared vision of tomorrow’s public libraries in Queensland

What are the next steps?
What is the Expanding Horizons project and what can it do?
What has happened so far?
Documentation
Reading horizons
More information

What are the next steps?

Expanding Horizons: Positioning Queensland public libraries for the future 2008-2012 [new window 314 kb] has been released. A workshop, facilitated by Chris Batt, will be held with key stakeholders to discuss implementing the vision.

What is the Expanding Horizons project and what can it do?

The major aim of the Expanding Horizons project is to develop a shared vision for the future of public libraries in Queensland.

The project is a partnership between the State Library of Queensland (SLQ), the Queensland Public Libraries Association (QPLA) [new window http://www.qpla.asn.au] and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) [new window http://www.lgaq.asn.au/portal/dt].

In consultation with library personnel, local government representatives and industry partners the project aims to provide a big picture resource for Queensland public libraries.

The vision will provide a succinct picture of the value and potential of Queensland public libraries and will complement Council’s local library plans. In addition it will provide support in articulating our contribution to social and cultural capital, as well as our role in providing economic and social benefits to the community. The vision will also provide us with a strategy to achieve these goals.

The final document will essentially be an advocacy tool for Queensland public libraries which can be used within your own Council, or to develop partnerships within your 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

What has happened so far?

An Ideas Paper was developed and workshopped in Cairns. A workshop was also held in Brisbane, and feedback was received from Councils. 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 the workshops and coordinate the development of the vision.

Seven workshops were held around the state 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 was collated from the workshops, questionnaires and teleconference and a first draft of the vision document was prepared and submitted to the Steering Committee. Their input had been integrated into a draft positioning paper. The document 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. This final draft was submitted for Ministerial approval.