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June 2024
PLS eNews
Welcome to the monthly newsletter from the Public Library Services team at the State Library of NSW — bringing you the latest news about upcoming events, promotions and professional development opportunities.
Freedom to collect and read
The State Library welcomes the decision of Cumberland City Council to rescind its resolution of 1 May 2024 to remove a same-sex parenting book from its library.
The Government’s response clarified that NSW councils must operate their public libraries in accordance with the Library Act 1939 and the Library Council of NSW Guidelines which are issued under section 10(5) of the Act, in order to receive NSW Government library subsidies, noting in particular that the Access to Information in NSW Public Libraries Guideline sets out that:
A public library has a role as an unbiased source of information and ideas, including online content. It must accept responsibility for providing free access to materials and information presenting, as far as possible, all points of view on contemporary and historical issues, including controversial issues.
Libraries should endeavour to provide access to comprehensive and balanced collections that meet the needs of their communities as far as budget, space and availability of materials allow.
Library materials that have not been subject to federal and state restriction or prohibition should not be excluded from a public library on moral, political, racial, religious, sexist, language, or other grounds. Nor should library materials be included on these grounds alone, whatever pressure may be brought to bear by individuals or groups.
It is the view of the Government and the State Library that excluding books or materials based on the views of a councillor or councillors amounts to a denial of access. It is not the role of councillors to decide what people may read.
Book classification is a matter for the Commonwealth Classification Board. The community has every right to expect that their public library will stock books that have not been subject to Commonwealth restriction.
We are preparing communications to share with all NSW local councils as a reminder about their responsibilities under the Library Act 1939 and associated Guidelines, to help ensure that this type of resolution is not entertained by other councils.
Local studies seminar
The Wider Local Studies online professional development seminar is being held on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 June.
The seminar features sessions looking at collecting local studies information, including about your culturally and linguistically diverse community, the use of oral histories and First Nations collection description guidelines for the library sector. There will be short (10 minute) talks from local studies staff across Australia as they share what is happening in their libraries.
You can also join an online session on Thursday 13 June (no registration required). This session is for people who want to chat with local studies staff in other states and territories. We will be discussing the sessions from the previous two days as well as other topics of interest.
Generating statistics for Gale resourcesJoin Lynette Lewis from Gale for the next Tech Talks with Lynette. Statistics are an important part of understanding what and how your online products are being used. This Tech Talk will focus on the types of statistical reports that can be run for your Gale products, and how to access them. It will also cover what metrics Gale reports cover and how they are counted, as well as the factors that affect usage. Wednesday 5 June, 1–1.30 pm |
Gale training webinars — environment and climateJoin Damien Almeida from Gale for two online webinars to increase your knowledge of the resources available in the Gale statewide databases. Examining ecosystems & global biodiversity using Gale in context: Environmental studies The impact of climate change using Gale in context: Opposing viewpoints |
New NSW.net consortia opt-in training module
Find out about the Consortia Opt-in Offer Scheme in our new mini module on the the PL Portal, our online training platform for NSW public library staff.
In this course you will learn what the scheme is and how your library can benefit from it.
The mini module can be completed in less than 15 minutes.
Find out how to sign in and about the other courses available on the PL Portal here.
Find Legal Answers Tool KitThe Find Legal Answers Tool Kit has been updated. There is one new edition and one new book to be added to your Tool Kit collections. The books were sent directly from Legal Aid NSW, and you should have received enough copies for the Tool Kits in all of your branches. The two new books are: The mortgage stress handbook: a practical guide for people having trouble with their mortgage, 5th ed, 2024. Check your Tool Kit is up-to-date here. Please contact us if you have any questions about your collection. |
The Drug & Alcohol Info Pop-UpThe Drug & Alcohol Info Pop-up is Drug Info’s travelling information display, which since 2022 has visited over 30 NSW public library services. Colourful and interactive, the pop-up promotes the valuable information about alcohol and other drugs available to NSW communities through Drug Info. The display is flexible and lightweight, allowing it to be easily transported between branches and to library outreach events. The kit also comes with a range of resources for promoting Drug Info through events and activities. The Drug & Alcohol Info Pop-up will be hitting the road once again from July 2024, and an EOI to host the pop-up is now open. Complete our online form to get involved. Entries close on Friday 7 June. |
Four new exhibitions at the State Library
There are four new exhibitions opening in June, so it's a great time to start planning your next visit to the Library.
Sydney Morning Herald Photos 1440 is an intimate look at key events and moments captured by Australian photojournalists.
The Country Cries for Truth is the powerful and personal exhibition by distinguished Bundjalung artist Dr Bronwyn Bancroft.
The World Press Photo Exhibition is back for another year of the best and most important photojournalism and documentary photography from around the world.
Peter Kingston is a tribute to the unique creative talent of this Sydney artist.
Greek–Australian archive
The new Greek–Australian archive is now available.
In this collection of oral histories and primary resources, people from the Greek–Australian community talk about their experiences coming to Sydney and share stories about creating a new home.
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