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Collection management

Collection management is a key area of library services.

Public Library Services provides state-wide consultancy and advice on collection management to library staff and local government.

You can join an e-mail list to discuss collection management.


Acquisitions outsourcing

In February 2009 the NSW Public Library Network Research Committee commenced a project which analysed the costs and benefits of outsourcing acquisitions, cataloguing and processing in a variety of contexts relevant to the NSW public library network. 

The report,  PDF icon A Benefit Cost Analysis: Outsourcing of Acquisitions, Cataloguing and Processing in NSW public librariesprovides an evidence based framework and a practical tool which will assist public libraries and local councils to make informed choices about the most effective use of available resources.

As part of this project an assessment tool was also designed to help libraries identify where individual libraries sit in the evaluation framework and what level of benefits may be achieved by outsourcing

File Evaluation Tool - Outsourcing of Acquisitions, Cataloguing and Processing

 (Excel 115KB) 2010 Prepared by Macroplan Australia Pty Ltd


Analysis of public library funding for collections

In late 2008 the State Library of NSW and Public Library Network Research Program, commissioned the ABS to undertake research on the impact of NSW public library funding for collections over the last 10 years on the capacity of libraries to develop and maintain collections which meet the standards for collections set out in Living Learning Libraries: standards and guidelines for NSW public libraries.

The final report is Analysis of Public Library Funding for Collections.