| The following publication is
designed to provide information about Local Government Libraries in Queensland. In
order to facilitate the retrieval of information the format has been altered slightly from
previous years with the inclusion of additional information. Changes will always be
a feature of this statistical bulletin as a result of on-going discussions with public
librarians who suggest the provision of additional information. Although the accuracy of information contained in it has
been checked, it is still possible, of course, that is may contain errors. If so,
the Library Board would be grateful if local governments and librarians would bring them
to its attention.
Occasionally, there are omissions either because
relevant statistics were unavailable, the information was not retained, or because the
procedures of some libraries make extraction difficult.
The Library Board of Queensland administers the
Cash Grants Scheme for Independent public libraries. The grant is a weighted per capita
scheme with the grant to be spent on books. Up to 5% of the grant may be allocated to the
processing of books. Accommodation subsidy was also available for local governments
building a new library at the rate of 20%. The costs of new and enhanced library buildings
are not included in this Bulletin.
The Country Lending Service received subsidy in
kind whereby local governments with populations of 20,000 or less were allocated a minimum
of one book per capita. These books were exchanged on the minimum basis of 25% each
year. 50% subsidy was also paid on approved equipment to a maximum to $2,000 per
local government library, and accommodation costs were subsidised on the same basis as
those mentioned.
It should be noted that the cash grant received by
local governments may vary. Broadly speaking, the total cash grant received, which
may fluctuate from year to year, is determined by the following factors.
- Whether the service is Independent, or part of the
Country Lending Service.
- The population of the local government.
This year, the Library Board allocated $250,000 to
the Innovation and Project Grants for public libraries. The funding was provided to
promote innovation in public libraries and introduce new technologies, develop library
services for the socially, economically and geographically disadvantaged, encourage
cooperation between library services, encourage partnerships with community/business
organisations and enhance library services.
The statistics provided are
quantitative and are not necessarily indicative of the quality of the library service to
which they refer. Circulation statistics are often used to measure a library’s
performance but their use in evaluating a service does not reflect overall usage such as
‘in-library’ use - that of reference, readers’ advisory service,
availability of a title, etc.
These statistics are offered in the
hope that they will prove useful to local governments, to librarians, and to the public
whom they serve.
Des Stephens
STATE LIBRARIAN |
