Committees

Last updated:  28 November 2024

Public Libraries Consultative Committee

The Public Libraries Consultative Committee (PLCC) is a committee of the Library Council of NSW. The committee provides policy advice to Library Council and acts as a consultative framework for key public library stakeholders in NSW.

Membership of the committee includes representatives of key stakeholder bodies.  

The committee meets in June and December of each year.  

Terms of reference

Role

The committee provides policy advice to Library Council in relation to providing public library services in NSW, a consultative framework for the Library Council, the State Library and key stakeholders in local government concerning public library services, advice to Library Council in relation to the funding arrangements for allocating State Government funding to public libraries and concerning the development of guidelines for Library Development Grants. The committee does not evaluate grant applications nor allocate Library Development Grants. Membership of the committee includes representatives of key stakeholder bodies.

The Committee will:

  • provide advice to the Library Council of NSW concerning the provision and improvement of public library services in NSW
  • offer a consultative framework for the Library Council, the State Library and key stakeholders in local government in relation to public library services
  • advise the Library Council on arrangements for the allocation of State Government funding to public libraries.

Members

All member terms will be two years, and appointment will be made by the Library Council of NSW. The Associations will be asked to nominate their representatives for appointment.

Quorum

A majority of the members.

Frequency of meetings

The committee will meet in person in June and December of each year. Outside of the meeting schedule, the committee will be asked for advice out of session and/or to convene via videoconference as required.

Reporting responsibilities

Reports to the Library Council of NSW and communicates with the Public Library Network of NSW.

Relationships to other committees

May seek advice from the Grants Committee.

Review of committee

The Terms of Reference and Composition of the Committee are to be reviewed every 3 years.

Executive officer

Head of Public Library Services

In attendance

Officers of the State Library as required. 

Members

The PLCC has the following membership structure:

  • 3 members of the Library Council of NSW, with the Local Government member as Committee Chair  
  • 2 members drawn from the Local Government Association of NSW  
  • 2 members drawn from the NSW Public Libraries Association  
  • 3 members representing small, medium and large NSW public libraries (Public Library Managers)  
  • State Librarian  
  • Head, Public Library Services, State Library of NSW (Executive Officer)

Current members  

Library Council of NSW
  • Chair - Kay Delahunt 
  • Hon George Souris AM 
  • Dr Ursula Dubosarsky
NSW Local Government Association  
  • Councillor Linda Campbell (Deputy Lord Mayor, Wollongong City Council)
  • Denise Anderson, Strategy Manager Social and Community LGNSW
NSW Public Libraries Association
  • Councillor Romola Hollywood (Blue Mountains)
  • Adele Casey, Executive Officer
Library Manager Representatives
  • Ruth Neave, Liverpool Plains Shire
  • Jody Rodas, Waverley Library 
  • Elysa Dennis, Liverpool City Library
State Library of NSW
  • Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, State Librarian 
  • Cameron Morley, Head of Public Library Services 
Minutes

Minutes of previous meetings are available to download once confirmed.

2023

 

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2015

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2012

2011

Strategic Network Committee

The Strategic Network Committee (SNC) advises on public library collaborative activities, monitors emerging trends, and supports research projects to develop and review the NSW public library network.  

Membership of the committee includes representatives of key stakeholder bodies.  

The committee meets in May and October of each year. 

Terms of reference

Role

The Strategic Network Committee (SNC) facilitates liaison between the State Library and NSW public libraries for the development of collaborative activities of state-wide significance.

The Committee will:

  • advise on collaborative activities that promote, provide and maintain public library services for the people of NSW.
  • monitor emerging trends of potential relevance to NSW public libraries.
  • support the development and review of the NSW public library network through research.  
  • advise on the implementation of the NSW Public Library Network Learning and Development Framework.  
  • facilitate communication to the NSW Public Library Network through the NSWPLA Zone Secretaries.

The Committee does not consider or provide advice on funding, governance or policy matters. These matters are the remit of the Public Libraries Consultative Committee (PLCC).

Communication and reporting

  • Progress reports are provided to the PLCC and the State Library Executive.  
  • Recommendations on research outcomes and implementation are communicated to the PLCC, Library Council and the State Library Executive at the completion of each project.  
  • Progress reports on SNC projects and activities are provided by the Zone Secretaries to Zone meetings.  
  • The SNC actively seeks input and feedback on program initiatives from the public library network through the Zone Secretaries and the NSWPLA website.

Review of committee

The terms of reference, membership and achievements are reviewed annually. 

Members

The committee includes members from NSW public libraries and the State Library of NSW:

  • 8 public library representatives – the NSW Public Libraries Association Zone secretaries
  • 3 representatives from the State Library:
  • Executive Sponsor (Chair)  
  • Head, Public Library Services
  • Consultant, Public Library Services (secretariat)

The Committee may recommend the establishment of sub-committees or working groups for discrete projects.

Other public library and State Library staff may be invited to participate in meetings or project groups because of their specialist skills and experience.

Current members

  • Cameron Morley, Head of Public Library Services, SLNSW
  • Mala Scorse (CE Zone) Head of Service Delivery, City of Newcastle 
  • Kathryn McAlister (CW Zone) Manager, Macquarie Regional Library  
  • Kathryn Breward (NE Zone) Manager, Clarence Regional Library Service
  • Margie Kirkness (SE Zone) Manager, Libraries and Museum, Shellharbour City Council
  • Carina Clement (SW Zone) Team Leader, Libraries & Museum AlburyCity
  • Rebecca Browning (Sydney North Zone) Library Services Team Leader, Willoughby City Library
  • Heather Davis (Sydney South Zone) Manager, City of Sydney
  • Vicki Edmonds (Sydney West Zone) Manager, Blue Mountains City Library 
Minutes

Minutes of previous meetings are available to download once confirmed.

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015