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.
Libraries for Health and Wellbeing: A Strategic framework for Victorian public libraries towards 2024 may be downloaded here (web ready version here)
Reports, Indicators, and Surveys
Victorian Public Survey and Public Library Census
PLV annual reports
- PLV Annual Report 2020-21
- PLV Annual Report 2019-20
- PLV Annual Report 2018-19
- PLVN Annual Report 2017-18
Annual Surveys & Indicators
2020-2021 Reports
- 2020-21 PLV Annual Statistical Survey – Summary Report
- 2020-21 PLV Annual Statistical Survey – Final Data Sets 2018-19 to 2020-21
- 2020-21 PLV LOTE Collections – Summary Report
- 2020-21 PLV LOTE Collections – at 30 June 2021 – Final Data Set
- 2020-21 PLV Early Years Literacy Performance Indicators – Summary Report
- 2020-21 PLV Supplementary and Early Years – Final Data Set
- 2018-19 to 2020-21 PLV Library Statistics – Comparative Data Report
- 2020-21 PLV Annual Statistical Survey – Presentation to PLV
2019-2020 Reports
- Final Data Sets 2017-18 to 2019-20
- Supplementary and Early Years (xlsx)
- LOTE Collections – Summary Report (pdf)
- LOTE Collections – Final Data Set (xlsx)
- PLV Annual Statistical Survey – Summary Report (pdf)
- PLV Annual Statistical Survey – Presentation to PLV (pdf)
- PLV Annual Statistical Survey – Comparative Performance Report (pdf)
- Early Years Literacy Performance Indicators – Summary Report (pdf)
2018-2019 Reports
- Final Data Set
- Supplementary and Early Years
- LOTE Collections – Summary Report
- Summary Report
- Comparative Report
2017-2018 Reports
Earlier Reports and Surveys
Reports are available from 2010-2017
Submissions to State and Federal Government
- Public Libraries Victoria Submission to Victoria’s 30 Year Infrastructure Strategy_Feb 2021
- Submission to the Victorian Planning Authority on the Precinct Structure Planning Guidelines, Nov 2020
- COVID-19 Recovery Update to Budget Submission to the State Government
- Libraries Change Lives – Victoria State Budget 2020-2021
- Infrastructure-Priorities-for-the-Region PLV Submission- February 2020
- PLV responds to relevant government strategies, policies and inquiries: A Public Position on the VAGO Report for PLV – November 2019
- Submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry re Local Government Engagement of CALD Communities in Early Childhood – October 2019
- Submission to the Victorian Government’s 2020-2024 Creative Industries Strategy – August 2019
- Submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System – May 2019
Consultants
The following consultants have worked with libraries on various projects – List of Consultants
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
- Skills Audit of Victorian Public Library Sector 2019
- Libraries Work!: The socio-economic value of public libraries. 2018
- Key Findings of the Libraries Work! Report. 2018
- Books for Baby and Me… a research and development project. Paula Kelly Paull. 2017
- Reading and Literacy for all: A strategic framework for Victorian public libraries 2015-18
- Creative Communities: The cultural benefits of Victoria’s public libraries. 2014
- Victorian Public Libraries: Our Future, Our Skills Research Report. 2014
- Victorian Public Libraries 2030 Strategic Framework. 2013 (Summary here)
- Internet and PC usage in Victorian public libraries report. 2012. (Technical Report here)
- Dollars Sense and Public Libraries The landmark study of the socio-economic value of Victorian public libraries report. 2012 (Key findings here)
- Being the Best We Can framework and toolkit. 2011
- Libraries Building Communities. 2005
Presentations to PLV
- Inspiring Life Stories – 9 December 2019
- Victorian Seniors Card Program – 26 March 2019
- IFLA World Library Conference – 4 December 2018 – IFLA Scholarship Recipient, Anna Parsons
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 December 2018 – Jane Cowell
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_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
- Standards and Guidelines for Australian Public Libraries 2020
- 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.