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 11.2 million physical items and some 2.8 million online resources such as ebooks and eaudiobooks in 2019-20.  

But there is a need for continuous 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 was the result of extensive research and consultation through the Public Libraries Working Group and with stakeholders including local government authorities. The Strategy was release by the Minister for Culture and the Arts in 2019.

• Background Paper - Western Australian Public Libraries: Our Future (PDF 2MB) 
• WA Public Libraries Strategy - A New Chapter for our Public Library Systems (PDF 1 MB) 
• WA Public Libraries Strategy - Consultation Report April 2018 (PDF 1 MMB
• WA Public Libraries Strategy Update November 2019 (PDF 72KB)

Public Libraries Working Group (PLWG)

For more than 70 years, the State Library of Western Australia has partnered with local governments across Western Australia to deliver public library services. In 2020, a new partnership agreement was signed with Local Government for the provision of these services. Under this agreement, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) convenes the Public Libraries Working Group (PLWG) with representatives from the DLGSC, SLWA, WALGA, and Public Libraries WA to oversee the implementation of public library strategies.  

PLWG Meeting Minutes:

• Meeting 1 – Monday 23 April 2018 (PDF 144 KB)
• Meeting 2 - Monday 21 May 2018 (PDF 147 KB)
• Meeting 3 - Monday 25 June 2018 (PDF 157 KB)
• Meeting 4 - Monday 23 July 2018 (PDF 97 KB)
• Meeting 5 - Monday 11 March 2019 (PDF 98 KB)
• Meeting 6 - Monday 13 May 2019 (PDF 139 KB)
• Meeting 7 - Monday 22 July 2019 (PDF 113 KB)
• Meeting 8 - Monday 16 September (PDF108 KB)
• Meeting 9 - Monday 18 November 2019 (PDF 72 KB)
• Meeting 10 - Monday 8 June 2020 (PDF 77 KB)
• Meeting 11 - Friday 21 August 2020 (PDF 91 KB)
• Meeting 12 - Wednesday 7 October 2020 (PDF 108 KB)

In 2020, the PLWG Terms of Reference were revised and endorsed by PLWG. The group will be expanded to include a representative from the Office of Digital Government and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, together with a representative from regional local government in Tier 2. The group will be focusing on:

• Providing advice to State and Local Government on public library policy and strategy;
• Offer a communication mechanism and consultative framework for government and non-government stakeholders implementing initiatives that impact on the delivery of public library services; and
• Lead research and planning for a new strategy for the public library network.

The first meeting of the refocused PLWG will be held in early 2021.

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. 

The endorsed Framework was phased in over 2019-20 and 2020-21.  Support for libraries in regional and remote Western Australia has been incorporated into the new model and is now facilitated by SLWA using enhanced access to technology and on-line platforms to improve engagement.

New Funding Allocation Model

The State Government provides SLWA with funds for the purchase of print and online materials for the State's 233 public libraries. Traditionally, this funding has been used exclusively for the purchase of print and online resources. The new model will allow for local government to apply for some of their funding to be used to support library initiatives and public programs.

The new model will be implemented from 1 July 2021.  SLWA are currently trialling grants with Tier 1, 2 and 3 local governments to test the processes, documentation and acquittals. 

Details of successful trial grant applications are listed below:

Library Priority Allocation Grants (Tier 1):

Technology and Digital Inclusion Grants (Tier 2 and 3)

Encouraging Promise Practice Grants (Tier 2)

One Card Project

As part of the WA Public Libraries Strategy the State Library of Western Australia 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.  This proposal was rejected by State Treasury.  State Library is currently investigating if the State Library’s library management system can be shared with Tier 2 and 3 local governments in a consortia arrangement.