Reports, Research, and other Useful Resources
Public Libraries Victoria collects a range of information to help us to benchmark, innovate, advocate and deliver the best possible library services to our communities. Our libraries, along with peak bodies like the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and National and State Libraries Australasia (NSLA), collate and submit reports, statistics and papers to help us learn and grow. These documents are not only invaluable for library teams across the state; they also help policymakers, funding bodies and the wider community to better understand the value and impact of library operations in Victoria. Together, we can plan for the libraries of the future.
PLV Strategic Plan
Public Libraries Victoria Strategic Plan 2023-27
PLV State Budget Submissions
Delivering Modern Libraries for a Growing Victoria – Victorian Budget Submission 2024/2025
Reports, Indicators, and Surveys
Major reports
- Libraries After Dark: Final report and recommendations for the future (Feb 2024)
- Inside our Public Libraries: Findings of the Victorian Public Library Survey and Victorian Public Library Census (2022)
PLV annual reports
- PLV Annual Report 2023-24
- PLV Annual Report 2022-23
- PLV Annual Report 2021-22
- PLV Annual Report 2020-21
Annual Surveys & Indicators
2023-2024 Reports
- 01. 2023-24 PLV Statistical Survey – Summary Report
- 02. 2023-24 PLV Library Programs – Summary Report
- [03. 2023-24 PLV eResource Use – Summary Report (internal use only)
- 04. 2021-22 to 2023-24 PLV Library Statistics – Benchmarking Report
- 05. 2023-24 PLV Statistical Survey – Presentation to PLV
- 06. 2023-24 PLV Statistical Survey – Data Collection Template
- 07. 2023-24 PLV Annual Statistical Survey – Final Datasets 2021-22 to 2023-24
- 08. 2023-24 PLV Statistical Survey – Program Data
2022-2023 Reports
- 01. 2022-23 PLV Statistical Survey – Summary Report
- 02. 2022-23 PLV Library Programs – Summary Report
- 03. 2022-23 PLV eResource Use – Summary Report (internal use only)
- 04. 2022-23 PLV LOTE Collections – Summary Report
- 05. 2022-23 PLV Early Years Literacy Performance Indicators – Summary Report
- 06. 2018-19 to 2022-23 PLV Library Statistics – Benchmarking Report
- 07. 2022-23 PLV Annual Statistical Survey – Presentation to PLV
- 08. 2022-23 PLV Statistical Survey – Data Collection Template
- 09. 2022-23 PLV Annual Statistical Survey – Final Datasets 2020-21 to 2022-23
- PLV LOTE Collections 2023
Earlier Reports, Presentations, Surveys and other Resources
Reports are available from 2010-2021
Libraries for Health and Wellbeing
Libraries for Health and Wellbeing: A Strategic framework for Victorian public libraries towards 2024 (web ready version)
The Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Public Libraries Across Victoria
Submissions to State and Federal Government
- Public Libraries Victoria Submission to the National Cultural Policy Aug 2022
- Public Libraries Victoria Submission to Victoria’s 30 Year Infrastructure Strategy_Feb 2021
Consultants
List of Consultants who have worked with libraries on various projects.
Library Buildings and Designs
- Victorian Public Library new builds and redevelopments
- Library Council of New South Wales: standards and guidelines for NSW public libraries 2017
- State Library of New South Wales: library building and spaces
- Design your library – Australia’s first directory of library building projects
- Creating libraries fostering communities 2015
- Creative spaces in public libraries a toolkit 2014
- Popup libraries 2014
- State Library of New South Wales: People places 2012
Papers, Presentations, and Other Resources
Research Reports
- Social Infrastructure in Melbourne’s Growth Areas: Background paper to recommendation 73 of Victoria’s infrastructure strategy: Fund libraries and aquatic centres in growth areas
Scholarship & Awards (including Ramsay & Reid scholarships)
The State Library of Victoria administers a number of research programs, reflecting its place as a hub for intellectual inquiry and discourse. We award scholarships to promote high standards and leadership in the public library sector. For more information see the SLV website.
Inclusive Work Experience Toolkit developed as part of the “Our library, our program: a job ready initiative” project/ Whitehorse Manningham Libraries (2020 Pierre Gorman Award)
Other resources
- Library Board of Victoria and Public Libraries Victoria Framework for Collaborative Action
- Public Libraries Support in Disaster Response and Recover
- Best Practice Guide – Accessing Local Library Facilities
- The Diverse Book Finder
- IFLA and TASCHA: DA2I – Development and Access to Information Report. Putting libraries on the agenda
- Victorian Government publication: Ending Family Violence: Victoria’s Plan for Change. 2016
- Adult Literacy – Victorian public libraries in action
- State Library of Queensland – Impact of Libraries as Creative Spaces
Policies, Statements and Guidelines
PLV
- PLV Information Privacy Policy 2023
- PLV Diversity and Inclusion Statement_April 2020
- PLV Statement on Provision of Public Library Services in Victoria_June 2017
- PLV Statement on Internet Access_June 2017
- PLV Statement on Domestic and Family Violence_December 2016
- Statement on Social Inclusion and Learning_April 2010
- PLV Statement on Internet Filtering and Content Regulation_September 2006
- Definition of Basic and Value Added Services_May 1999
ALIA
- Standards and Guidelines for Australian Public Libraries 2021
- Guidelines, standards and outcome measures for Australian public libraries July 2016 The updated (Jan 2017) Guidelines, Standards and Outcome Measures calculator is available here
- To showcase public libraries’ contribution to innovation and creativity, ALIA produced this fact sheet – 10 ways that libraries power smart cities (2017).
- Statement on Public Library Services – amended 2018
- Library and information services for people with a disability – amended 2018
- Joint use libraries – amended 2019
- Libraries and information services and Indigenous peoples – amended 2009
- Open access statement – amended 2018
- Free access to information – reviewed 2018
- Statement on voluntary work in library and information services – amended 2017
NSLA statistics
The Australian Public Libraries Statistical Report is an annual NSLA project that identifies and measures the usage and activities of Australia’s public library services and the services they offer. Reports are available on the NSLA website from 1996-97 onwards.