People Places

In 2010 the NSW Public Library Network Research Committee commenced a project to conduct a major review of People Places: a guide for public library buildings in New South Wales.

The 2012 revision of People Places is comprehensive and reflects significant change in public library design and services over the past 7 years. Changes in technology, collection formats, increasing programs and changes in community expectations have fundamentally changed the way people are using library spaces.

The review was undertaken by the State Library of NSW in collaboration with the NSW Public Library Network Research Committee. This new edition of People Places has been developed in close consultation with library staff and practitioners involved in the planning, building and management of public libraries in NSW.

The process included a literature review with national and international benchmarking, as well as consultation with library staff across the NSW public library network including stakeholder workshops, surveys and case study evaluations.  The case study evaluation assessed the application of the 2005 People Places building guidelines to 17 recently built libraries and identified strengths and opportunities to improve on the current benchmark methodologies. 

People Places , planning tools and examples of best practice are available on the Library Buildings and Spaces page.