Department of Education

Direction
Major
Initiatives
Learning
and
Information
Network
Centres
(LINCs)
including
Virtual
LINC
LINC Tasmania, formally known by its project name, the
Community Knowledge Network (CKN), encompasses
a breadth and depth of service delivery including Learning
and Information Network Centres (LINCs) and the
Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office (TAHO).
The integrated statewide service network provides all
Tasmanians with access to: library services, research and
information, adult literacy support, community learning,
online access and a world class archive and heritage
service. LINC Tasmania operates online through Virtual
LINC and physical service points across the state.
The focus throughout 2010–11 was on developing the
new LINC Tasmania vision, values and priority areas to
inform the new strategic and business plan for 2011–13.
The development work involved extensive consultation
with clients, the Tasmanian Library Advisory Board and
staff to draw out strategic priorities and measureable
targets. The strategic direction of LINC Tasmania focuses
on making information, learning and literacy services more
accessible to all Tasmanians—where, when and how they
need them, building on the strength of existing services
along with a fresh focus on second chance learning and
adult literacy. With around 200,000 Tasmanians already
accessing LINC Tasmania’s combined services, its aim is to
benefit even more Tasmanians—particularly those who
need greater information, technology access, skills and
support to participate fully in work and community life.
This vision will continue into the coming years as LINC
Tasmania becomes fully established within the community.
The organisation’s transformation required a cultural
shift in the community to align with the changing face of a
traditional library to the new integrated service delivery
model. Research on community attitudes was undertaken
to inform the creation of the LINC brand, services and
the vision which demonstrated strong support for the
LINC Tasmania concept. The next 12 months present an
important challenge as LINC Tasmania works towards
ensuring that all Tasmanian’s know about the new
LINCs are located in urban and regional locations
statewide and provide a community-based hub where
Tasmanians can access information, community learning
and literacy services. The statewide LINC network
includes Risdon Prison LINC and seven urban LINCs.
Construction for new regional LINCs in Queenstown and
Bridgewater continued during 2010–11 with Queenstown
expected to be completed in September 2011. Planning
for two new regional LINCs at Scottsdale, and George
Town, to be rolled out during 2010–13, is underway with
proposals and site plans being finalised in consultation with
the local communities. The proposed LINC for Sorell was
deferred as part of the 2011–12 budget.
The new Bridgewater and Queenstown LINCs will be
co-located with Service Tasmania and the child and family
centres. Although the buildings are not yet complete, the
LINC Manager and literacy coordinators at each site have
been appointed. This means that the preliminary work in
assessing local needs and demand can be undertaken so
the new LINCs can be operational from day one.
organisation and gain an understanding of how to best
meet existing and prospective client needs.
As part of the redevelopment of LINC Tasmania,
considerable strategic effort has been applied bringing
together 450 existing staff statewide and shaping the
workforce to deliver the new business objectives. LINCs
have brought together employees with diverse specialist
skills and knowledge, in library services, adult learning,
literacy, and technology. The LINC structures emphasise
teams with strong internal communication and networks,
and an over-riding focus on customer service. The new
service environment requires structures and skill sets that
can operate across the broader network and reach out to
communities in new and different settings.
Leadership across the organisation to initiate systematic
cultural change across LINC Tasmania was integral
to support managers and their teams to understand,
participate in and engage with new business initiatives.
Due to the significant business and cultural changes,
the last two years have focused attention on the need
for strong leadership at all levels of the organisation.
In 2010, LINC Tasmania continued to build a widespread
leadership culture through delivery of the Leading at All
Levels Program. During 2009, 79 employees undertook the
program and a further 74 participated in 2010. Feedback
from participants and their managers was very positive. The
program is seen as a valuable development opportunity,
particularly in a time of considerable change. The
concentrated effort on leadership is part of an overarching
strategic Planning and Performance Management Framework
which has been developed and implemented over 2010–11.
A number of issues over the years warranted a reevaluation
of arrangements regarding LINC Tasmania’s
administrative responsibility for staff at the Parliamentary
Library. This resulted in the Parliament deciding to take full
responsibility for services of the Parliamentary Library. This
move aligns Tasmania to all the states whose Parliaments
have full control and responsibility for their Parliamentary
libraries.
The focus on improving LINC Tasmania’s delivery online
commenced with a transitional website going live with
the new URL www.linc.tas.gov.au. This site provides a
single online portal with links to the websites of the four
organisations that existed prior to the formation of LINC
Tasmania. The redevelopment of all associated websites
will become Virtual LINC. Virtual LINC will provide an
integrated and comprehensive LINC Tasmania online
presence which will continue to grow and mirror a range
of services offered through physical LINC outlets. Virtual
LINC clients are able to access a wide range of services
including viewing digitised content from the unique
collections of the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office,
browse the network’s collection of books, DVDs and other
resources, reserve and renew books, access electronic
databases of information and enrol in courses. There
are also facilities for clients to lodge online requests for
information or assistance from LINC staff.
LINC Tasmania 35