Library Strategy Review

In 2018 the Library Services Branch engaged an external consultant to review the Library strategy, producing the Ipswich Libraries Strategy 2019-2024 document. As part of the review, Ipswich City Council Community Research and Engagement team undertook community consultation. The Libraries Strategy Review – Focus Group and Community Engagement Report sought to identify community priorities regarding Library facilities and services. While this information has high value it no longer reflects the current operating environment of the Branch.

Since the report was finalised, Council has progressed significant infrastructure projects including the opening of Rosewood Library, Ipswich Central Library and Ipswich Children’s Library.

We are currently developing a strategy which is in draft format at the moment. The Strategy is currently being reviewed by Council, once the strategy has been approved by Council it will be made available to the public.

Document Library

Ipswich First Articles

Timeline

Timeline item 1 - complete

Council resolves to engage a consultant to draft a revised Library Strategy and initiate a community engagement plan across all Council Divisions and a city-wide survey.
Timeline item 2 - complete

Council engages AEC to draft the new Library Strategy 2019-2024.
Timeline item 3 - complete

Council delivers an engagement plan via 10 community focus groups and conducts a city-wide survey.
Timeline item 4 - complete

AEC collates results and aggregates with benchmark and industry best practice metrics and provides a draft report for consideration.
Timeline item 5 - complete

Existing data developed from the assumption of stand-alone library services redundant due to Ipswich City Council initiating a whole of council organisational restructure which combines Libraries and Council Customer Services.
Timeline item 6 - complete

As a result of the announced restructure a combined Libraries and Customer Services operating model and strategy now needs to be scoped.
Timeline item 7 - complete

Current operating environment review to be completed to inform the new integrated strategy scope and to reflect the updated structure.
Timeline item 8 - active

Define the new strategy scope and develop a draft strategy for internal and external stakeholder engagement.
Timeline item 9 - incomplete

Incorporate feedback to produce a final draft for Council consideration.
Timeline item 10 - incomplete

Council adopts Libraries and Customer Services Strategy.