March 2024

PLS eNews

Welcome to the monthly newsletter from the Public Library Services team at the State Library of NSW. It’s here to let you know about upcoming events, promotions and professional development opportunities.

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2023/24 Public library infrastructure grants

The Library Council of NSW Grants Committee convened on 29 February to assess applications from councils for the 2023/24 Public Library Infrastructure Grants.

The Library Council’s recommendations will be with the Minister for consideration shortly after the meeting. Announcements are expected in March and April.

50 years of the Multicultural Bulk Loan Service

This year, we are celebrating 50 years of the Multicultural Bulk Loan Service. Since 1974, the State Library has proudly provided books in over 40 languages to the people of NSW through the local public library network. Libraries will receive a kit later in March 2024 containing some resources to help us celebrate this valued service.

Look out for further celebration of multicultural services in public libraries with a special themed issue of In the Libraries to be released shortly. If you are not already subscribed, you can join the In the Libraries mailing list and catch up on past issues here.

Despite this milestone, the multicultural team is not resting on its laurels, with close to 7000 items sent out to public libraries in January 2024. Our most requested languages are French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Hindi and Chinese.

Book cover Information Services to diverse populations

Webinar — Providing information services to diverse populations

Dr Nicole Cooke is a JEDI scholar and teacher (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) and does work related to human information behaviour, fake news consumption and resistance, and critical cultural information studies. She is also author of the book Information Services to Diverse Populations.

Dr Cooke will be presenting a webinar for NSW public library staff on the Cultural Humility Model for serving diverse communities. This Zoom webinar will take place at 9.30 am on Thursday 21 March. Please register to attend here.

Local Studies Librarians meeting online and at Burwood Library

The next Local Studies Librarians meeting will be held on 12 March at Burwood Library and will also be available remotely via Zoom.

Attendees will be hear from a wide-ranging selection of speakers covering themes such as conservation, diverse collecting, First Nations history projects, historical societies and community history.

The meeting will run from 9 am to 4 pm. Registrations to attend either online or in person can be made here.

Readers’ Advisory Seminar — book now

Book now for the Readers’ Advisory Seminar, being held on Tuesday 19 March, from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm, online and in person at the State Library. Join your public library colleagues for a day of enriching discussions, captivating conversations, and networking prospects.

Reader’s Advisory is an essential skill for all library staff, and this is an excellent opportunity for professional development. The seminar will be held in the new auditorium at the State Library. With its improved capacity for hybrid events, it offers the opportunity for onsite networking and discussions, as well as easy online participation for others.

This year’s seminar features authors Ellen van Neerven and Kate Holden as keynote speakers, along with presentations from NSW public libraries and the ALIA Graphic Novel group.

Registrations to attend in person at the State Library can be found here. To attend online via Zoom, register here.

Author Shirley Le holding book Funny Ethnics

indyreads Summer Book Club

The indyreads Summer Book Club promotion has now concluded. We would like to thank all NSW public libraries for your participation in a statewide reading of Shirley Le’s Funny Ethnics.

We celebrated the Summer Book Club with an online author talk featuring Shirley in conversation with journalist and author Sarah Ayoub. You can catch up on this fascinating discussion online.

For those libraries who took part in promoting the indyreads Summer Book Club, we would love to hear your thoughts. Please let us know by completing our online evaluation form.

Text "Introducing Informit Explore" on blue background

Informit Explore trial

Informit is one of Australia’s leading online sources of journals, books, reports and videos covering the humanities and social sciences.

Informit Explore is a recently released interface providing access to over one million articles focused on the critical issues affecting Australia today.

NSW.net is working with Informit on a statewide trial of Informit Explore, which will provide libraries with free access to the database throughout March.

If you are interested in taking part in this trial, please contact Ross Balharrie.

Three square panels of book-based artwork

Lit Up! Stories behind the stories

The State Library’s Learning Services team will be presenting the Lit Up! Stories behind the stories conference on 3 May 2024. The packed conference program will feature addresses from acclaimed authors, teachers and librarians, as well as tours of library exhibitions and spaces.

The conference program and further details can be found here.

The Learning team at the State Library have a diverse and interesting program of events lined up for 2024, including an upcoming comedy writing workshop with Tim Ferguson, and the Incredibilia theatrical experience in May. Go to the Learning Services webpages for more upcoming events and curriculum-based educational resources.

Drug Fact Bingo

Just in time for the NSW Seniors Festival but suitable for library programming throughout the year, Drug Info’s latest promotion is Drug Fact Bingo.

Drug Fact Bingo is a fun and interactive way to start conversations about alcohol and other drugs while promoting the quality information available to the community through the Drug Info service. The kit includes a facilitator game board, bingo tokens and unique player cards that allow for up to 30 participants. It also includes a discussion guide filled with facts about the 25 drugs and drug forms featured as bingo tiles.

Learn more, and download a copy for your library here.

Three cubes stacked vertically spelling the word "Law"

Law Week 2024

This year Law Week is being held from May 20–26. Whatever event you’re planning — from hosting a legal webinar or guest speaker to having a display — Law Week is the perfect time to let your community know that the library is a great source of legal information.

If you’re still looking for a speaker, feel free to contact Catherine to ask for suggestions. Or contact ID Support NSW. They offer a variety of community programs about identity theft, scams, phishing and online safety.

You can request a talk using their Book a session form.

Find more about preparing for Law Week.