CEO’s Year in Review Anne-Marie Schwirtlich 6/7 <strong>Library</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Annual Report O7—O8
With this annual <strong>report</strong>, we take stock <strong>of</strong> an immensely productive year extending the initial successes <strong>of</strong> slv21 and serving a growing number <strong>of</strong> visitors who rate their experience <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Library</strong> very highly. The <strong>Library</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong>’s Corporate Plan 2007–10 designated three priority areas <strong>of</strong> work and with this <strong>report</strong> we account for our work against those priorities. Collections, Content and Information Resources Three observations might be made <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Library</strong>’s aim to maintain the richest and most comprehensive collection possible <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong>n material. Firstly, that despite decades <strong>of</strong> assiduous and judicious collecting, the <strong>Library</strong> marvels at and is grateful for the historic material <strong>of</strong> enormous signifi cance that it continues to be <strong>of</strong>fered. Secondly, that without the generosity <strong>of</strong> donors, supporters and the <strong>State</strong> <strong>Library</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Foundation, the <strong>Library</strong>’s acquisition work would be the poorer. Thirdly, that the challenges <strong>of</strong> collecting and maintaining a collection documenting <strong>Victoria</strong> are increasingly complex and resource intensive. Readers will note that, by any measure, the <strong>Library</strong>’s achievements in maximising and improving its collection storage, and in conserving the collection, have been impressive. The <strong>Library</strong>’s work on digitising the collection is nationally notable, as is the expansion <strong>of</strong> its online resources. Access and Engagement In January, a Melbourne resident wrote: ‘Whenever I enter the <strong>State</strong> <strong>Library</strong>, I am struck with wonder and am so proud <strong>of</strong> being a Melburnian. The <strong>State</strong> <strong>Library</strong> is the most creative and socially just community facility.’ The President has highlighted the signifi cant increase in onsite visits to the <strong>Library</strong>. These are particularly remarkable when coupled with the fi ndings <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Library</strong>’s annual customer survey, in which: _______ 96 per cent <strong>of</strong> customers surveyed were satisfi ed with the overall <strong>Library</strong> experience _______ there is 96 per cent awareness <strong>of</strong> the <strong>State</strong> <strong>Library</strong> _______ 92 per cent <strong>of</strong> customers surveyed were satisfi ed with exhibitions. The President cites, and the pages ahead detail, the projects (for example, Federated Search), programs (for example, the schools program) and thinking about new approaches to service delivery that underpin our work onsite, <strong>of</strong>fsite and online. It is with much pride that the <strong>Library</strong> <strong>report</strong>s on its fi rst international exhibition, The Medieval Imagination, and associated programming. Another fi rst is equally heartening – the <strong>Library</strong> toured its fi rst exhibition, <strong>Victoria</strong>ns on Vacation, which opened at the Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale in April. The coveted Creative Fellowships program, supported by the Foundation, was augmented by the inaugural Summer Research Fellowships, sponsored by Emeritus Pr<strong>of</strong>essor AGL Shaw, which drew 25 applications from students affi liated with nine universities. Four Summer Research Fellows worked on the <strong>Library</strong>’s collections, researching subjects as varied as Ned Kelly, the creation <strong>of</strong> modern Greece, ephemeral environmental art and picture shows in Gippsland. Infrastructure, Skills and Partnerships The many collaborative endeavours about which you will read in this <strong>report</strong> are evidence <strong>of</strong> the relevance and vitality <strong>of</strong> our work and the high regard for it in the philanthropic, business and library sectors. We were honoured that a long-term supporter, the RE Ross Trust, signalled it would support a three-year project, beginning in July 2008, to improve documentation about <strong>Victoria</strong>n maps. People at the <strong>Library</strong> The 2008 Australia Day Honours gave us cause for jubilation with the recognition <strong>of</strong> Dr Dianne Reilly, the La Trobe Librarian, as a Member in the General Division. In March, the <strong>Library</strong> farewelled her after 49 years and one day <strong>of</strong> service to the <strong>Library</strong> and the research community. Morton Browne relinquished the post <strong>of</strong> Executive Offi cer to the <strong>State</strong> <strong>Library</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Victoria</strong> Foundation in June. Over the last three-and-ahalf years he has supported the Foundation and the <strong>Library</strong>, working to consolidate and augment the support for the <strong>Library</strong>. In February, Samantha Tidy, the <strong>Library</strong>’s Manager <strong>of</strong> Education Programs and Offsite Learning, took up a prestigious, three-month Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Culture Fellowship at the Bibliothèque nationale de France. She used the Fellowship to research and <strong>report</strong> on the library services available to young people in France and Australia. The <strong>Library</strong> is a complex organisation with an ambitious remit. The skills, resilience and confidence with which it serves <strong>Victoria</strong> and <strong>Victoria</strong>ns are testament to its staff. The assessment <strong>of</strong> a researcher from the USA might best reflect the work and the standing <strong>of</strong> my colleagues: ‘I have worked in nearly every state library and public records/archives <strong>of</strong>fi ce in Australia during these last fi ve months and have to say that your staff stands head and shoulders above their peers at other institutions.’ The Year Ahead We begin 2008-09, the third year <strong>of</strong> the slv21 program, buoyed by the signifi cant achievements to date but mindful <strong>of</strong> the challenges ahead. The welcome increase in <strong>Library</strong> visits brings with it challenges for service delivery and increased maintenance costs. Other pressures, in the form <strong>of</strong> payroll and utility rises compound the challenge <strong>of</strong> implementing the Board’s strategy at the pace and to the extent <strong>Victoria</strong>ns would wish. The <strong>Library</strong> will tackle its full agenda for the year ahead with characteristic purpose and vigour. This will include: _______ implementing the triennial program <strong>of</strong> partnership projects with public libraries _______ refi ning the business strategy for Vicnet _______ <strong>report</strong>ing to government on the achievements <strong>of</strong> slv21 and the strategy for the future _______ seeking to maximise the capacity <strong>of</strong> collection storage to ensure that these assets perform optimally; and _______ managing the construction <strong>of</strong> the Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas and playing a signifi cant role in animating the role <strong>of</strong> Melbourne as a City <strong>of</strong> Literature. With the guidance <strong>of</strong> the Board, support <strong>of</strong> the minister and government, the counsel <strong>of</strong> colleagues at Arts <strong>Victoria</strong> and the assistance <strong>of</strong> the Foundation, sponsors and volunteers, we anticipate the year with relish. A New Zealand colleague emailed after visiting recently, to say: ‘[The] library is buzzing and you should be proud <strong>of</strong> what you are achieving … the library is really a stunning example <strong>of</strong> a knowledge society in action.’ We aim to remain a stunning exemplar. Anne-Marie Schwirtlich Chief Executive Offi cer and <strong>State</strong> Librarian
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