This is an old revision of the document!
STRATEGIC PLAN 2021-2025
FOR THE WORKING GROUP ON MULTICULTURAL LIBRARY SERVICES (NSWPLA)
Final version approved, 11-10-21-Nicole Byrn NSWPL
PREFACE/INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
This updated Strategic Plan for the Working Group will ensure that a planned course is set for the next five years and will continue to ensure the Working Group has a high profile in the library profession.
BACKGROUND WORKING GROUP
The Working Group on Multicultural Library Services of NSW was established in June 1983, by librarians working in the field of library services for the Culturally and Linguistic Diverse Communities (CALD) community. The Working Group's role was to promote the provision of library resources to clients in a range of community languages.
The Working Group issued its first newsletter Breakthrough in September 1983. In 2002 the Working Group decided to finish publishing Breakthrough and in March 2003 a new section, titled ‘Multicultural News’ was inserted into Public Library News.
The Working Group's Constitutional Steering Committee was formed in 1985 which, in turn, produced objectives and a constitution.
In 1996 the Working Group officially affiliated with the Metropolitan Public Libraries Association (MPLA) and became a Sub-Committee of that body. A Country Public Libraries Association (CPLA) representative became a member of the Working Group in 2004.
The MPLA changed its name to Public Libraries NSW - Metropolitan and then to NSW Metropolitan Public Libraries Association (NSWMPLA) in 2011. The CPLA changed its name to Public Libraries NSW - Country and then Public Libraries NSW in 2010.
VISION
Every NSW public library will have access to an excellent resource collection and services that meet the needs of their CALD communities
MISSION
To lobby, advise, promote and improve the importance of library services for the CALD community.
OBJECTIVES
- To provide leadership in the field of multicultural library service
- To provide members of the group with a forum for discussion and for peer support
- To raise the profile of multicultural library services
- To encourage co-operation and networking amongst public libraries, the State Library of NSW, and other organisations.
- To ensure that multicultural services are recognized as integral to public library services
- To lobby for funds to secure resources, including technology, appropriate to CALD communities’ needs.
VALUES OF THE GROUP
- Equality between individual members
- free public library service
- client focused public library service
- equal access to services provided by public libraries
- professionalism
- co-operation/teamwork
- open to new ideas
- recognize the need to adapt to change
- cultural diversity
CURRENT OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Internal
- geographically dispersed
- diverse clientele between members
- different levels of support and funding
- common goals
- diverse library management systems
- rapid change of technology
External
- different LGAs
- cultural diversity of NSW population
- policies of state and federal governments
- changing boundaries of LGA's
- affiliation with NSWPLA
- support and funding from State Library
- networking with other community organisations and service providers
- clients access to technology/digital divide
- government services online in English
- ageing communities
- rapid change of technology
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths
- affiliated with NSWPLA
- existence of multicultural purchasing co-operative
- support from the State Library of NSW through the multicultural consultant
- Languages Other Than English (LOTE) bulk loans service
- individual skills and knowledge of members
- shared objectives & information
- high number of clients
- collections and existing resources
- Co-operative purchasing
- language skills of members
- ongoing promotions and marketing
- co-operative cataloguing
- networking
- success with grant funding applications
Weaknesses
- competing priorities
- consultation slows the decision-making process
- limited collections in some languages
- limited access to range of resources particularly for ageing CALD communities
- limited availability of resources in some languages and formats
- limited cataloguing of LOTE
- ability to support new emerging communities
- limited catalogue records available in script
- library systems do not fully support scripts which limit a client’s ability to search library catalogues
- decline of participation in cooperative acquisitions and cataloguing
Opportunities
- retaining collections relevant to clients
- advocacy
- to develop new services and resources
- networking
- promotion of groups activities and functions
- lobbying
- submission of grant funding applications
- effective use of electronic information and technology
- media
- partnerships
Threats
- racism
- community attitudes
- censorship
- Insufficient funding for LOTE collections and services
- Publishing industry limitations
STAKEHOLDERS
Internal
- Members of Working Group
- library managers
- library staff
- council: general manager, mayor and councilors, council staff
- volunteers
- translators
- NSWPLA
- Multicultural Advisory Committees
External
- government and non-government agencies
- other service providers
- community groups
- library users and non-users
- Multicultural NSW
- Dept. of Local Govt.
- Local Government
- ethnic media
- CALD community workers
- Inter agencies
- Federation of Ethnic Community’s Council Australia
- Ethnic communities Council of NSW (ECC)
- library suppliers