Events and Education Policy

1. Introduction

1.1 The National Library of Australia’s Directions for 2006–2008 document states the following as part of its Desired Outcome 3:

To demonstrate our prominence in Australia’s cultural, intellectual and social life and to foster an understanding and enjoyment of the National Library and its collections, we will

  • promote the importance to an open society of the Library’s collections and services, and the relevance of these to Australians
  • selectively interpret and highlight the Library’s collections through publications, exhibitions and events
  • ensure that the Library is an inviting place that encourages interaction between users and the free exchange of knowledge and ideas
  • reflect through all we do the diversity and richness of the Australian community

1.2 It is within this context that the Library’s Events and Education program will be developed including, where appropriate, collaborative and/or offsite activities. The Events and Education Section’s activities will support and enhance the Library’s central role in underpinning Australia’s cultural and intellectual life.

1.3 In developing our policy we are aware of, and have taken into account, other events and services undertaken by the Library.

2. Objectives

2.1 Events and education activities organised by the National Library of Australia will explore key aspects of the Library’s collections and services in order to contribute to an understanding of Australian culture and history.

2.2 The Events program will aim to raise the Library’s profile within both the broad general community and the Australian library community and will selectively interpret the Library’s activities, services and collections in order to achieve this goal. The Events and Education Section will consider matters of current scholarship, research, policy, ideas and issues in devising the Events program.

2.3 The Education program will inform participants about the role of the National Library, its services and policies; selectively interpret key aspects of the National Library’s collections for a variety of clients; promote the use of libraries; and encourage life-long learning.

3. Events Strategies

3.1 Events will be organised within eight broad categories: 1) conferences, 2) seminars, 3) talks, 4) readings, 5) film screenings, 6) musical performances, 7) one-off events and 8) collaborative and/or offsite activities (or any combination of these).

3.2 Events will be aimed at National Library users, scholars, researchers, creative writers and artists, other cultural practitioners, and the general public.

3.3 The National Library will provide opportunities for its users to communicate—through, for example, Independent Scholars Association events, Fellowship presentations and talks by Petherick Readers.

3.4 A list of major events will require corporate approval approximately 12 to 18 months in advance of being staged. Other events will generally be scheduled four to 12 months in advance. An Events Committee will convene two to three times per year to approve the forward program. The organisation of these meetings and papers for the meetings will be the responsibility of the Manager of Events. The Library will publish a quarterly events program.

3.5 Conferences and other symposia, seminars, conversations and debates will usually be organised around themes or particular topics. Such activities will highlight contemporary writing, research and ways of thinking as well as, where appropriate, providing an insight into the National Library’s collections and role.

3.6 A program of talks will be linked to the Library’s Exhibitions and Publications programs, its Special Collections areas and its general collections (including new acquisitions) and its services.

3.7 A program of readings and author talks (and, occasionally, book launches) will invite Australian writers to present and discuss their work. This program will draw attention to contemporary, primarily Australian, writing and related scholarship and will be linked, where appropriate, to the Library’s extensive collection of literary manuscripts and other relevant collection items. These events may be held in association with the National Library Bookshop.

3.8 Film screenings (including both feature length films and shorts), and film festivals, will be organised as part of the Events program. In most cases these films will be drawn from the National Film and Video Lending Collection, now administered by The National Film and Sound Archive. Such screenings will aim to increase community awareness of the breadth and range of the Library’s film holdings, showing classics, popular features and little-known films.

3.9 Musical performances will relate primarily to the Library’s collection of Australian music and/or to aspects of Australia’s contemporary music culture. Musical performances will be presented on their own as well as incorporated into other events such as readings.

3.10 Other events of any kind may be organised subject to the approval of the Events Committee and/or the Assistant Director-General, Public Programs or the Director-General.

3.11 Collaborative and/or offsite activities, including partnerships with other institutions and organisations, will be considered and pursued where such partnerships are practicable and clearly fulfil the Library’s strategic objectives.

3.12 The Events program and schedule of dates will be determined after considering the Library’s corporate calendar, Library activities and activities in the broader community. Consideration will also be given to the need for ensuring that events are conducted regularly, are coordinated, and are appropriately marketed.

3.13 The Events program will support, complement and promote other Library activities and programs, including publications, exhibitions, Information Services activities, web sites, Friends activities and fellowship programs.

3.14 All significant event proposals will be accompanied by a budget outlining anticipated costs and revenue. However, it is acknowledged that many of the benefits of such a program are of an intangible nature. The Events Section will regularly review financial outcomes and canvass stakeholder opinions.

4. Education Strategies

4.1 Education activities will be organised within eight broad categories: 1) general and special tours, 2) workshops, 3) events, such as specialist seminars, 4) professional development programs for teachers, 5) school holiday programs 6) education kits, 7) online education sites, 8) exhibition-related programs.

4.2 The Education program will be primarily targeted at the broad Australian community, with specific programs developed for Library visitors, researchers, specific learning groups, educators, remote users, special interest groups and people with disabilities.

4.3 Where appropriate education programs will be developed in conjunction with other areas of the Library and/or other organisations to ensure that these programs are of the highest possible quality . Other areas of the Library to be involved in the development of education programs are likely to include, but are not limited to:

  • Readers Services;
  • Publications;
  • Exhibitions;
  • Communications and Marketing;
  • Friends
  • Electronic Publishing;
  • Volunteers Program;
  • Security;
  • Building Services.

External partnerships will include:

  • Community groups;
  • Schools;
  • Universities and other tertiary education facilities;
  • Libraries;
  • Other cultural institutions;
  • Professional networks, including teacher associations;
  • Sponsoring organisations.

5. Outputs

5.1 Projected targets for quantity, quality, timeliness and effectiveness will be set prior to the beginning of the new financial year, and will be based on prior commitments, resources and corporate priorities.

6. Performance

6.1 Performance will be determined by:

  • Conducting formal evaluations;
  • Assessing solicited and unsolicited comments;
  • Attendance rates;
  • Comparing events and services against approved benchmarks and standards.

7. Review

7.1 This policy will be reviewed at least every two years or more frequently if deemed necessary.

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