TITLE: Enriching Communities: the value of public libraries in NSW
ABSTRACT: In November 2008 the State Library of NSW released the report “Enriching Communities: the value of public libraries in NSW”. The report, based on a research project involving analysis of library data and a series of surveys, provides clear evidence of the contribution and value that NSW public libraries make to their communities in terms of economic, environmental, social and cultural impact.
The report highlights the role of public libraries in promoting equity of access across a diverse range of groups in the community, identifies the outcomes from public library use and why the community values public libraries. A major finding of the report is that public libraries have positive economic benefits for individuals and the community as a whole.
The research also provides an up to date profile of NSW public library users and a tool for local councils to measure the ongoing contribution and value of library services to promote better planning and management.
SPEAKER: Cameron Morely
Cameron Morley spoke about the Enriching Communities research which you can find on the State Library of NSW website at http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/services/public_libraries/publications/docs/enriching_communities.pdf