This document summarizes information about Yarra Libraries, including its mission, services, and strategic plan update. Yarra Libraries operates five branch libraries in Richmond, Collingwood, Fitzroy, North Fitzroy, and Carlton. In 2009/10, it welcomed over 563,485 visitors and had 49,773 members. Services include collections, programs, technology access, and community spaces. Upcoming projects include the North Fitzroy Community Hub and reviewing opening hours. The strategic plan outlines actions like expanding online services and developing branch plans. Statistics are provided for the Richmond Library branch.
2. Yarra Libraries Public Meetings 2010
"The public library is a profoundly important cultural, economic
and social institution. Libraries collect and disseminate
information; they provide comfortable and convenient places
for people to read and learn; their physical spaces form
meeting places for community groups; being free and open for
all they help to create a fairer society”
Libraries Building Communities Study Feb 2005
3. Yarra Libraries Strategic Plan 2008 – 2012
plan update
Our Mission -
To be a dynamic public library service which
provides a welcoming, inclusive and
stimulating environment where lifelong
habits of learning, self-empowerment and
self-expression are encouraged, a love of
reading is nurtured, and where patrons can
meet their educational, information and
recreational needs.
4. We achieve this by:
• Providing current and accessible collections in relevant
formats, both print and electronic, and languages
• Encouraging the love of reading, the joy of learning, and
offering the assistance people need to find, evaluate, and use
electronic and print information resources to enhance the
individual's quality of life
• Building on the strengths of our five libraries as distinct,
welcoming and stimulating community spaces where people
can connect locally
• Ensuring we have friendly, professional and well-trained staff
• Providing information services using the latest technologies
• Tailoring resources, programs & services that support our
community and their right to lifelong learning
6. Yarra Libraries Strategic Plan 2008 – 2012
plan update
Yarra Libraries – a snapshot: -
• Five branch libraries: Richmond/Collingwood/Fitzroy/North
Fitzroy/Carlton
• Our sixth branch - virtual library@ www.yarracity.vic.gov.au
providing 24 hr access
• We welcomed over 563,485 people to branches in 2009/10
• 49,773 Yarra Libraries members
• 1,180,581 loans 2009/10
• Activities – 24,952 people attended 738 activities.
• 26,230 new items added and 4,488 items in Community languages
• 83,765 reference enquiries 2009/10
• 72,515 Personal Computer bookings 2009/10
7. Moon Lantern Activity
Home Library Servi
Reconciliation Event Fitzroy Library June
2010
8. 10/11 projects
• Librarylink Victoria – introduced in January
2010,approx. 95 items per month
despatched
• SWIFT Consortia upgraded and iphone
apps now available
• Opening hours review
9.
10. Yarra Libraries Strategic Plan 2008 – 2012
plan update
Our Action Plan: -
• North Fitzroy Community Hub : major priority for the next three years
• Library resources tender process: work with Procurement Australia to
identify panel of suppliers, ensure Collection Development outcomes,
development of Local History Plan
• Web page interactivity: capacity including blogging and resource
reviews
• Progressive alignment of staffing and services, open hours review
recommendations
• Radio Frequency IDentification: RFID investigation
• Development of Branch Plans: operations, capital - for future strategic
and capital planning
• Youth Worker at Fitzroy Library – introduce positive engagement and
initiatives with neighbourhood
11. • Terms of Reference for Consultation
• Strategic Plan Year Two report to Council
in September
• WiFi Access – Blue socket network
implementation
Library Link Victoria was introduced in January 2010 for the public, it is a free Victoria wide interlibrary loans system used by 95%of Victorian public libraries. We have received over 500 requests and have despatched approximately 95 items.North Fitzroy Community Hub : significant progress has been made, during 09/10 concept design phase is nearing conclusion. Concept design group has worked with architects, soil contamination assessment, draft Transport Impact assessment and the Planning Scheme Amendment C126 process with panel hearing in June 2010.Collection Development Policy was developed and adopted by Council in February 2010. Work on the collection management plan will now be carried out.A range of Activities have occurred including Chinese Reading Month in August with poets and Chinese writers and Vietnamese Reading Month in May, attended by over 100 people. Poet Peter Bakowski read at North Fitzroy in April, Gleyns Osborne and Kylie Gusset spoke, Australia’s Biggest Morning tea at Richmond to raise money for Caner Council and Reconciliation Week event in June with Kutcha Edwards, Joe Geia and Lady Lash performing.Opening Hours Review was carried out during May/June with online and hard copy surveys in Chinese, Arabic and Vietnamese translated material, sessions in Chinese and Vietnamese, over 500 surveys received. A draft report of recommendations is being written and we should see the draft before the end of October. It is anticipated that the findings will be a driver for strategic and financial proposals for the 2011/12 year.
The library has developed collaborative partnerships with other Council departments and community organisations.Two meetings have been held over the past year with representatives of Friends of the libraries groups,NFZ stakeholder meetings held, 5 branch meetings held October- November 2009.feedback through customer service forms, information posted on Councils’ webpage regarding North Fitzroy Community Hub development. Routine promotion and information on Yarra Libraries activities and events. The Consultative Committee will continue to work on a framework for future consultation.A report on the Strategic Plan Year Two actions went to council in September with a list of priority projects for 2010/11. Key actions will include North Fitzroy community Hub development, the design development phase of the project will be progressed in 2010/11. A Youth worker will be employed to pursue opportunities with local service providers to introduce positive initiatives in the local community. Branch plans will be developed to review renewal requirements for infrastructure. The library resources tender will be developed in conjunction it Procurement Australia. A further LMS upgrade will be conducted. RFID will be investigated to be introduced at North Fitzroy. Local Hisotry Plan will require liaison it historical societies, top provide information and awareness of Yarra’ heritage and resources that need to be conserved.With the assistance of a Victorian government grant, we have upgraded to a (Blue socket) new wireless network that will be more reliable and faster.The SWIFT consortium now has 16 members with Mitchell Shire the latest member. The consortium has been enormously popular. Over 158,000 holds weer placed last year. Yarra supplied 54,560 items and borrowed 64,302 an increase of 100% and 80% on previous year.There was a system upgrade in July and recently the introduction of the use of iphone app to assist with searching, placing holds and renewing on an iPhone.The PC booking system (Envisonware ) was introduced in October 2009 and computer usage has risen to 72,515 an increase of 5% on the previous year.
The library has developed collaborative partnerships with other Council departments and community organisations.Two meetings have been held over the past year with representatives of Friends of the libraries groups,NFZ stakeholder meetings held, 5 branch meetings held October- November 2009.feedback through customer service forms, information posted on Councils’ webpage regarding North Fitzroy Community Hub development. Routine promotion and information on Yarra Libraries activities and events. The Consultative Committee will continue to work on a framework for future consultation.A report on the Strategic Plan Year Two actions went to council in September with a list of priority projects for 2010/11. Key actions will include North Fitzroy community Hub development, the design development phase of the project will be progressed in 2010/11. A Youth worker will be employed to pursue opportunities with local service providers to introduce positive initiatives in the local community. Branch plans will be developed to review renewal requirements for infrastructure. The library resources tender will be developed in conjunction it Procurement Australia. A further LMS upgrade will be conducted. RFID will be investigated to be introduced at North Fitzroy. Local Hisotry Plan will require liaison it historical societies, top provide information and awareness of Yarra’ heritage and resources that need to be conserved.With the assistance of a Victorian government grant, we have upgraded to a (Blue socket) new wireless network that will be more reliable and faster.The SWIFT consortium now has 16 members with Mitchell Shire the latest member. The consortium has been enormously popular. Over 158,000 holds weer placed last year. Yarra supplied 54,560 items and borrowed 64,302 an increase of 100% and 80% on previous year.There was a system upgrade in July and recently the introduction of the use of iphone app to assist with searching, placing holds and renewing on an iPhone.The PC booking system (Envisonware ) was introduced in October 2009 and computer usage has risen to 72,515 an increase of 5% on the previous year.
The library has developed collaborative partnerships with other Council departments and community organisations.Two meetings have been held over the past year with representatives of Friends of the libraries groups,NFZ stakeholder meetings held, 5 branch meetings held October- November 2009.feedback through customer service forms, information posted on Councils’ webpage regarding North Fitzroy Community Hub development. Routine promotion and information on Yarra Libraries activities and events. The Consultative Committee will continue to work on a framework for future consultation.A report on the Strategic Plan Year Two actions went to council in September with a list of priority projects for 2010/11. Key actions will include North Fitzroy community Hub development, the design development phase of the project will be progressed in 2010/11. A Youth worker will be employed to pursue opportunities with local service providers to introduce positive initiatives in the local community. Branch plans will be developed to review renewal requirements for infrastructure. The library resources tender will be developed in conjunction it Procurement Australia. A further LMS upgrade will be conducted. RFID will be investigated to be introduced at North Fitzroy. Local Hisotry Plan will require liaison it historical societies, top provide information and awareness of Yarra’ heritage and resources that need to be conserved.With the assistance of a Victorian government grant, we have upgraded to a (Blue socket) new wireless network that will be more reliable and faster.The SWIFT consortium now has 16 members with Mitchell Shire the latest member. The consortium has been enormously popular. Over 158,000 holds weer placed last year. Yarra supplied 54,560 items and borrowed 64,302 an increase of 100% and 80% on previous year.There was a system upgrade in July and recently the introduction of the use of iphone app to assist with searching, placing holds and renewing on an iPhone.The PC booking system (Envisonware ) was introduced in October 2009 and computer usage has risen to 72,515 an increase of 5% on the previous year.