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.

2019/2020 cohorts

The 2019/20 cohorts are determined using the ABS population figures for June 2019 as used for the 2019/20 NSW Public Library Statistics. The cohorts are used in conjunction with Living Learning Libraries.

Benchmarking during the pandemic

The statistical evidence base in 2019/20 has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown, library building capacity and physical distancing constraints. The Public Libraries Consultative Committee recommended at their meeting on 29/6/2021 that a new edition of the Standards be delayed until after the 2020/21 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 2019/20 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.

2018/2019 cohorts

The 2018/19 cohorts are determined using the ABS population figures for June 2018 as used for the 2018/19 NSW Public Library Statistics. The cohorts are used in conjunction with Living Learning Libraries.