Public Libraries

The Public Libraries Division is responsible for fulfilling the Library Board of Victoria's responsibilities in relation to public libraries throughout Victoria.

Key areas of engagement include:

• Facilitating communication across the public library sector and its stakeholders
• Coordinating industry knowledge, research and innovation
• Developing and delivering projects that meet statewide public library sector needs
• Facilitating strategy development.

The Division's main activities with public libraries are:

Statewide Public Library Development Projects

This is a three-year (1 July 2005-30 June 2008) $5 million program overseen by the Manager, Public Libraries and managed within the Library's Vicnet Division. There are three project areas responding to public library strategic priorities:

• Collections and Access initiatives - 10 projects, including Federated Search Portal, Strategic asset (collection) audit, Learning 2.0 online training program 
• Libraries Building Communities initiatives - 5 projects, including Demonstration projects, Advocacy training, Census and online survey of Victorian public library users
• Workforce Sustainability and Leadership initiatives - 5 projects, eg Professional development seminars, Ramsay & Reid Scholarships, Pierre Gorman Award.

Other activities with Victorian public libraries

• ISP service for many public libraries
• Travelling Treasures program
• Centre for Youth Literature program
• Training: reference, internet and digitisation
• AskNow online reference service
• MyLanguage Portal
• Victoria’s Virtual Library and Infonet
• Seminars.