When doing community consultation on library use we often get asked about the people who don’t use the library. Who are they? And why don’t they use the library? As it turns out we already know a bit about the non-users, and have done so for years thanks to the Libraries Building Communities research.

Most public library plans and strategies should look pretty similar - after all, good libraries have many similar characteristics. So what is it that makes a good library plan different from the next one.

Are population catchments equitably served by public library services? My deep dive into a new sort of BMI suggests not.

2021 has not been a normal year. But there is more library analysis coming to the blog soon. And there’s bonus content at the end of this short piece!

It’s unfortunate, but one of the strengths of a contemporary library will also be a major weakness as we move to a post-COVID normal.

It’s census time again - which means that libraries are about to be armed with a powerful planning tool. But what is it about the census that makes it so important?

Library users are not the reason why you can’t close a public library. It’s the library believers!

One of the challenges in trying to demonstrate the value of public libraries is the diversity of use and impact - literacy, lifelong learning, digital inclusion, social inclusion, mental wellbeing, etc. If we’re to find answers we just need to make a start.

I am a huge fan of education. When I was younger I went to school - I loved it! But I can’t see how a school running a public library makes good sense for a community. I know it can work in some cases but most of the time I’d just say ‘No’ - for the following reasons.

I suspect that our COVID experience will change the way people use public libraries. And some new measures might help us to understand these changes and respond accordingly.

New year, new idea. How could we measure the value that public libraries provide to library users and the community? Maybe it’s not as hard as I once thought.

I used to think that a library was built around a collection. But my ideas of a 21st century library are continually challenged - and I have to adapt. WARNING - This blog post contains NO statistics.

While people who live in outer Melbourne have to share a library with 60,000 others, in inner city suburbs there are libraries every 4 sq km. Is this equitable?

I have a dream, that one day … every kid starts school ready to read and learn. Just think of the difference that could make in the lives of kids who, for the lack of good reading skills, might otherwise experience challenges in life and work. What would it take to make that happen?

What is it about public libraries that has made them so valuable during the COVID shutdowns? I think their local knowledge and understanding has been critical.

Don’t you hate it when someone starts a sentence with “I don’t mean to be rude, but … .” Today that’s me, and I’m turning the spotlight on some examples of data that really annoy me. Bad data leads to bad decision-making. So be alert to it.

Here are some handy statistics to have in mind when talking about the value of public libraries. They cover literacy, internet access, ageing, social isolation and return on investment.

What makes a great library? A connection to community, easy access, inviting spaces, welcoming staff … and a Lego table! How does our checklist stack up against yours?

What are the ingredients for a great public library? First up, they need to know their community and tailor the service mix to community need.

What factors are related to high numbers of library visits? The answers lie somewhere in a story involving ice cream, murder, Kevin Costner, the My School website and the LGPRF. And they aren’t a surprise!