Living Learning Libraries

What is Living Learning Libraries?

Living Learning Libraries is an evidence based guide to the development of library services in NSW.

Written in two parts, it provides a practical basis for the comparison among library services, as well as a framework for service assessment and continuous improvement.

Living Learning Libraries - a population approach 2018 (7th edition) - 2020 update

This edition uses population-based peer cohorts for benchmarking, allowing easier comparisons among library services based on the populations of their communities. The cohorts are defined as follows:

rural standalone population up to 20,000
rural regional library member population up to 20,000
urban small population 20,001 to 50,000
urban medium population 50,001 to 150,000
urban large population 150,001 and above

Libraries that are below their cohort median for a given standard are encouraged to consider the median as a target to attain. Libraries are encouraged to aim to be the top of their cohort to demonstrate council is delivering best practice services to the local community.

Cohorts are updated annually.

2020/2021 cohorts

The 2020/21 cohorts are determined using the ABS population figures for June 2020 as used for the 2020/21 NSW Public Library Statistics. The cohorts are used in conjunction with Living Learning Libraries.

Benchmarking during the pandemic

The statistical evidence base in 2020/21 has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown, library building capacity and physical distancing constraints. As a result, a new edition of Living Learning Libraries will be delayed until after the further data is collected and the overall progress towards post-Covid recovery can be determined.

In the interim, councils are encouraged to continue to use the Living Learning Libraries 7th edition – 2020 update to measure their progress and to benchmark themselves against their cohort peer group.

Tables listing the ranking and performance data of libraries within their cohorts using the 2020/21 statistics are provided for libraries to use for benchmarking purposes, noting that they reflect the impact of lockdown and the constraints of building capacity limits and physical distancing requirements across the public library network in NSW.

Individual library benchmark reports are available upon request.