ALIA Public Libraries Advisory Committee
Standards, guidelines and benchmarks for public library services in Australia and overseas: a guide to resources
Australian standards/guidelines/benchmarks/strategies: general
ALIA policies and guidelines
Free access to information
Information as a commodity
Joint-use libraries
Library and information sector: core knowledge, skills and attributes
Library and information services appointments
Libraries and privacy guidelines
Non-standard employment
Professional conduct
Public library services
Employer roles and responsibilities in education and professional development
Senior library staff and information services appointments
(new version available plus all previous years)
Annual survey of Victorian public libraries 2005-2006 Victoria. Department for Victorian Communities - Annual survey of Victorian public libraries This survey is an excellent source document for industry benchmarking against other library services in Victoria.
Customer service charter (Northern Territory)
Darwin City libraries, dccl@darwin.nt.gov.au The four Darwin City Libraries follow a Customer Service Charter which sets out standards for these public libraries.
Guidelines and standards for Queensland public libraries
State Library of Queensland The document is seen as a guide towards achieving 'best practice' for those responsible for the management of public library services. Topics include library management, library staffing, opening hours, library buildings, mobile library, stock acquisition and discard rate, interlibrary loans, local studies collection, reference collection, specialist services (includes literacy, multicultural, people with a disability, young people and Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders), technology, cataloguing, and joint-use public/school libraries.
Operational standards for public libraries in Western Australia (1994)
The Library and Information Service of Western Australia, State Library of Western Australia, info@liswa.wa.gov.au, ph 08 9427 3111. Topics include management, human resources, opening hours, library resources, library services, technology and statistics. The standards apply to public libraries in Western Australia only.
Taking services into the future. A manual for country library services (2003)
John Liddle. Victoria.
Part 1 Organisational Culture - Operational Analysis (PDF 1.65mb)
Part 2 Financial Analysis - Services Agreements (PDF 1mb)
and Attachments (PDF 311kb)
This manual applies to metropolitan public libraries as well as country public libraries. Topics include organisational culture, benchmarking (approaches, selecting, proposed, profiling), operations analysis, financial management, alternative service delivery modes, restructuring library services and service agreements.
Towards a quality service: goals, objectives and standards for public libraries in Australia (1994)
Australian Library and Information Association (Available inprint on Inter-library loan, see Libraries Australia for holdings) Topics include management, financial management, information services, cataloguing, library circulation and acquisitions.
Australian standards/guidelines/benchmarks: specific
ALIA policies and guidelines
Guidelines for Australian home library services
Guidelines on library standards for people with disabilities
Information literacy for all Australians
Libraries and literacy
Library and information services and Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders
Library and information services for people with a disability
Online content regulation
Preservation: the permanence and durability of information products
Voluntary work in library and information services
Do Libraries Matter? The rise of Library 2.0 (2005)
A white paper by Ken Chad and Paul Miller. This paper outlines the development and impact of Library 2.0 on public libraries and what it means for the evolution of library services.
Building the Capacity of the Public Library Network (2002)
This undertaking by Gary Hardy of CCNR, Monash University and Tom Dennison, Whiteroom Pty Ltd on behalf of VICLINK/Library Network Unit, sought to identify a range of areas of innovative fund raising appropriate for Victorian public libraries, to establish a short list of activities which Victorian public library managers felt were most promising, and to develop business plans for those activities.
Culturally-diverse communities and the public library: a review of NSW public library multicultural services. Research report
Prepared by Cultural Perspectives Pty Ltd for the Library Council of New South Wales 2003 [pdf, 498K] The benchmark project sought to undertake a review of multicultural services and resources provided by NSW public libraries to NESB clients from the users' perspective, and to map opportunities for NESB audience development to inform the future direction of multicultural library services in NSW. The areas benchmarked were planning for library services relevant to NESB clients, organisational capacity to develop and deliver multicultural services/collections, quality of multicultural services/collections, promotions and delivery and evaluation.
Information literacy standards (2001)
Council of Australian State Libraries [pdf, 24K]
Children's policy guidelines for NSW public libraries (2005)
State Library of New South Wales [pdf, 503K] The guidelines covers the following: NSW library legislation relating to scope of public library service to young people; elements of a library policy for young people including a welcome statement, service statement and parental responsibilities statement (access to resources, access to electronic resources and unattended children); and child protection legislation - employer responsibilities.
Librarians' guide to internet safety (2005)
NetAlert and Australian Library and Information Association The guide considers the dangers associated with using the internet and the strategies librarians can use to minimise risks. Accompanying the guide is a comprehensive online resource available from the NetAlert website and an internet safety instructional card with internet safety tips for public library patrons, particularly children.
Libraries Building Communities: the vital contribution of Victoria's public libraries (2005)
A research project of the Library Board of Victoria and the Victorian Public library network, Libraries Building Communities is the first comprehensive Australian study looking at the value public libraries bring to their communities.
Library 2.0: Taking it to the street (2008)
Lynette Lewis, Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Vic
This article outlines the concept behind the Learning 2.0 Program undertaken by Yarra Plenty Regional Library, looks at the Library Worker 2.0 follow-up training modules and the applications in which staff now use Web 2.0 technologies to provide new interactive services and programs for their community.
National Policy Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library Services
A policy developed by National State Libraries Australasia to improve services and collections in public libraries for Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders.
People places: a guide for public library buildings in New South Wales (2005, 2nd edition)
State Library of New South Wales [pdf, 280K] This document provides a detailed description of the planning process for all those involved in a new public library building, an extension, or a remodelling of an existing building. It contains a wealth of practical advice on assessing the needs of local communities as well as guidelines for the space need to meet these needs.
Responding to our diversity. Multicultural library service guidelines for Victorian public libraries (2001)
The Library Board of Victoria Topics include identifying needs, planning to service needs, implementing the service plan and evaluating the service.
Virtual spaces. Guidelines for public library websites (2002)
Paul Scully. State Library of New South Wales Topics include planning, resourcing, skills development, design, content and promotion.
International standards/guidelines/benchmarks: general
American Library Association Standards and Guidelines
The ALA website lists a number of standards and guidelines, most of which, are available for purchase only. Topics include acquisitions, services to ageing, audiovisual materials, bibliographic control, buildings, children's services, collection management and development, correctional institutions, deaf, editing and publishing, information literacy, information services, interlibrary loans, preservation, public libraries, rare books/manuscripts/archives and young adult services.
International Network of Public Libraries
Bertelsmann Foundation The Bertelsmann Foundation works on the assumption that the co-operation of a small, highly-motivated and flexible group of experts of the international public library scene will be able to produce and efficiently disseminate innovative solutions. The objectives of the Network are to pool know-how, to strengthen the exchange of experience among public library experts, to develop successful concepts and above all, to promote their practical implementation.
Best-value guidance for library authorities in England (2001)
Angela Watson (Approved by The Library Association) Topics include best value, best value performance plans and review, public library standards, role of the Audit Commission, government powers of intervention and future developments.
Bibliostat Collect and Bibliostat Connect (US)
Baker & Taylor and/or contact Trevor Allred . Bibliostat Collect is a customised, web-based tool that allows libraries to submit annual data in a more complete, accurate and timely fashion. Bibliostat Connect is a web-based tool that allows libraries to conduct quick, easy, and graphical peer comparisons using the data that has been collected. These subscription services provide the scope to benchmark against peer libraries in Australia and overseas.
Public library service standards (2007)
Great Britain. Department for Culture, Media and Sport [pdf, 96K] The service standards are a suite of targets that measure performance across core activities. These targets are in the areas of closeness of libraries to their customers, opening hours, access to the internet and other online catalogues, number of books and other items purchased new each year, measures of usage by the public, customer satisfaction and replacement of stock.
Comprehensive, Efficient and Modern Public Libraries for Wales - Promoting Higher Service Standards 2005-08
National Assembly for Wales Topics include the aims and objectives of the standards, the planning cycle and monitoring the standards.
The public library service - IFLA/UNESCO Guidelines for development (2001), IFLA Publication No. 97
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Topics include the role and purpose of the public library, the legal and financial framework, meeting the needs of the users, collection development, human resources and the management and marketing of public libraries.
Public Library Manifesto, adopted in 1994, proclaims UNESCO's belief in the public library as a living force for education, culture and information, and as an essential agent for the fostering of peace and spiritual welfare through the minds of men and women.
Standards for New Zealand public libraries 2004
Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (6th edition). Available for purchase from LIANZA. Topics include management, finance, staff, library resources, library users, buildings, information literacy, reference and local history collections and service, mobile library services, library technology, services to people with languages other than English or Maori, services to people with a disability and service to Maori.
Standards for the public library service in Scotland (1995)
COSLA ISBN 1872794467
International standards/guidelines/benchmarks: specific
A safe place for children. Guidelines to promote child safety in public libraries (2005, revised edition)
CILIP - Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (UK) Topics include legal background, unsupervised children in libraries, organised activities for children on library premises, evaluation of the library, adults in library access areas designated for children's use, use of staff toilets, outreach visits, surveying and consultation, avoiding situations where library staff may be in a vulnerable position dealing with unacceptable behaviour, the wider context supporting child safety in the library, criminal record checks, and child protection issues.
Benchmarks in collection care for museums, archives and libraries. A self-assessment checklist (2002)
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (UK) [pdf, 384K] The publication provides a self-assessment checklist to help organisations in the sector identify how well they are caring for their collections, give an indication of where and what improvements might be needed, and provide a practical framework for measuring future progress.
Better public libraries
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (UK) The publication highlights how innovation and creativity in the design of public libraries is a key to bringing libraries into the 21st Century, making them more popular with the public. By presenting a series of examples, the report shows the diverse range of best practice that is already happening across the library sector.
Children and young people: Library Association guidelines for public library services (1997)
Library Association Information Services Group (UK) ISBN 185604209X
Council of Europe guidelines: public access to and freedom of expression in networked information. Council of Europe.
The guidelines detail a seven point approach to the practical issues of enabling and managing access to information in the era of the internet and e-mail. The guidelines relate to principles of public access, children's access, access to specialised institutions, management of public access points, disruptive use, filtering/rating/warning pages and internet use policies.
The Disability Portfolio
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (UK) The Disability Portfolio is a collection of twelve guides on how best to meet the needs of disabled people as users and staff in museums, archives and libraries. It gives invaluable advice, information and guidance to help overcome barriers and follow good practice.
Guidelines for reference and information services in public libraries (1999)
The Library Association Information Services Group (UK) ISBN 1856043509
International resource book for libraries serving disadvantaged persons (2001) - IFLA Publication No. 96
Locke, Joanne and Panella, Nancy M. Available for sale from IFLA. Topics include a seventy-year retrospective, subject bibliographies in the areas of the deaf, elderly, easy to read publications, professional reports and conference papers. ISBN 10 : 3-598-21826-5
Involving volunteers in public libraries: guidelines (2001)
The Library Association (UK) [pdf, 65K] Topics include policy, recruitment and management of volunteers.
Libraries and the Internet Tool Kit
The American Library Association (ALA) has produced this "toolkit" to assist librarians in managing the Internet and educating their public about how to use it effectively. ALA encourages all libraries to implement policies that protect both children and public access to information and to take an active role in educating their communities about this important resource.
Libraries as places: buildings for the 21st century
Proceedings of the thirteenth seminar of IFLA's library buildings and equipment section together with IFLA's public libraries section, Paris, France, 28 July-1 August 2003. (2004). IFLA Publications 109. Bisbrouck, Marie-Francoise; Desjardins, Jeremie; Menil, Celine; Ponce, Florence and Rouyer-Gayette, Francois (eds). International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Topics include: redefining and reinforcing the library's place and exploring how library space is being redefined and reshaped today; the library as a learning place for developing users' autonomy; the library buildings facing constraints (standards, spaces, safety); and the 'green library' - promoting library buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work.
Library buildings in a changing environment (2001) - Proceedings of the eleventh seminar of the IFLA Section on Library Buildings and Equipment. IFLA Publication No. 94
Bisbrouck, Marie-Francoise (ed). International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Themes discussed at the conference include preparation for a new library building, new technologies and their impact on new library buildings, assessment of new library buildings some years after their opening to the public and concept and social environment of new library buildings.
Library services for visually-impaired people: a manual of best practice (2002)
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (UK) Topics include types of visual impairment, library service policy and management, library services for children, alternative format materials, design and adaptation of libraries and services, aids and assistive technology, accessible library websites, marketing library services, guidelines/standards and disability awareness and equality training.
Local studies libraries: Library Association guidelines for local studies provision in public libraries (2002)
The Library Association Local Studies Group and Martin, Don (ed) (UK) ISBN 1856042774
Meeting users needs. A checklist for best practice. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.
The checklist provides practical guidance for public libraries in understanding their users (and potential users) needs through consultation, survey and feedback.
Multicultural communities. Guidelines for library services
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (Revised 2002) Topics include responsibility for provision, library materials, cross-cultural and services, information and reference services, technical services, extension, staffing and special groups.
Canadian guidelines on library and information services for older adults (2000)
Canadian Library Association The guidelines are intended as a checklist for libraries to use in planning services that are inclusive of older adults, and that will encourage a greater use of libraries by this growing population.
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