WA Public Libraries Strategy

Public libraries are much-loved and much-used facilities. Across Western Australia’s 233 public libraries, there are more than 1,000,000 active library members who borrowed some 13 million physical items and some 1,800,000 eBooks and audiobooks in 2018-19. 

But there is a need for significant, transformational change to deliver more efficient and flexible public library services to continue to meet Western Australia’s growing and diverse community needs.

The WA Public Libraries Strategy is the result of extensive research and consultation through the Public Libraries Working Group and with stakeholders including local government authorities. 

The Public Libraries Working Group (PLWG), with representation from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, Western Australian Local Government Association, Public Libraries WA, the Library Board of Western Australia and the State Library of Western Australia will consider the outcomes of the consultation and provide advice on implementation. 

PLWG Meeting Minutes:

Consultation Report – June 2018

Stakeholder and community consultation included workshops, meetings and forums as well as an on-line survey attracted more than 1,300 responses, over 70 per cent of which came from community members.

The Strategy’s priorities received endorsement in all forums including the survey where the five priorities were well supported across all respondent categories. The report on the consultation was endorsed by the Library Board of Western Australia and the Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) in July 2018.

Download the full report (PDF 1 MB)

New Tiered Model to Support Public Library Service Delivery

A framework for a new tiered model to support public library service delivery in Western Australia was endorsed by WALGA State Council and the Library Board of WA at their respective May meetings.  This aspirational framework means that local government public library services in Western Australia will fall into one of three tiers primarily dependent on their population and capacity. 

Full implementation of the endorsed Framework will be phased in over 2019/20.  Support for libraries in regional and remote Western Australia has been incorporated into the new model and will be facilitated by SLWA from 1 July 2019 using enhanced access to technology and on-line platforms to improve engagement. 

One Card Project

As part of the WA Public Libraries Strategy, endorsed by WALGA State Council and the Library Board of Western Australian in July 2018, the State Library of Western Australia has commissioned AOT Consulting Pty Ltd to prepare a business case to scope requirements and assess options for a model to facilitate single library card access (one card) for the community throughout Western Australia.  Frequently asked questions and a schedule for this project are provided in the attachments below.

Last updated on: 13 October 2020