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About Public Library Services

The State Library's Public Library Services team provides specialist advice and support to all local councils providing public library services to the people of NSW.

The team visits more than 100 NSW public libraries each year providing advice on services, collections, spaces, reviews, planning,  regional library agreements, children's services, building projects, multicultural services, reference services and promotion. Please contact us to discuss how we can assist you.

The PLS Branch:

  •  Assists the Library Council of NSW to meet its objects and duties under the Library Act 1939 (NSW) in relation to public libraries
  •  Provides expert advice on the management and development of public libraries
  •  Fosters the professional development of library staff
  •  Provides leadership on matters affecting public libraries
  •  Provides expert advice to Government on matters affecting public libraries in NSW.

The branch is arranged into six service units:

  • Public Library Funding - manages the State Government's public library grants and subsidies programs to support local council public libraries
  • Policies, Guidelines and Data - collects and disseminates data on NSW public libraries, develops public library standards, guidelines and policies, and identifies and researches industry-wide issues
  • Compliance and Assessment - reviews public libraries on behalf of councils, and manages public library compliance with the Library Act 1939 and the Library Regulation 2018
  • NSW.net Services - NSW.net assists with connectivity, including subsidies and Wi-Fi, and facilitates consortia subscription to eresources and databases
  • Specialist Information ServicesFind Legal Answers and Drug Info
  • Multicultural Services - the Multicultural Service supports the development of public library multicultural collections, and manages bulk loans of multicultural, large print and talking books to public libraries from the State Library's collection.

Keep in touch with what's happening in Public Library Services by subscribing to the Public Library Services enewsletter. The PLS eNews provides an up-to-date report of the work of our services to public libraries and lets you know about upcoming opportunities for professional development and promotion.

PLS enews