Tablelands Libraries Strategy Review

Tablelands Regional Council (TRC) is developing the TRC Library Strategy for 2027 through to 2032, to guide the future direction, priorities, and investment of library services over the next five years and is seeking community input, suggestions and ideas! We’re seeking your thoughts and views on shaping the future of library services in the Tablelands region.

The future strategy will help establish a clear vision for how libraries will continue to serve as inclusive, accessible, and future-focused community hubs that support learning, digital inclusion, cultural enrichment, and social connection. This is an in-depth look at all current and potential services and not a branch by branch examination.

A community-wide survey was run from Friday 2 October until Monday 2 November and is now closed. TRC staff were out and about, at local towns, markets and libraries seeking feedback and providing advice, an incredible amount of informative conversations were had! Thank you everyone who contributed and either completed a Survey, Quick Poll or just had a chat about what is important to them in a library service, we had over 1,000 responses!

Stay tuned for the announcement of our five lucky winners, randomly drawn for a $50 ‘Shop Tablelands’ gift card.

 

 

Library services play an essential role in supporting the community’s social, educational, cultural, and digital needs, and have increasingly evolved into inclusive community hubs that provide access to information, learning opportunities, technology, and social connection. The current Libraries Strategic Plan has reached the end of its term, creating the need for a renewed strategic framework to guide service direction, priorities, and investment from 2027 to 2032.  

 This project is driven by the need to incorporate findings from the Library Service Review, respond to changing community needs and demographics, and address the growing importance of digital inclusion and access. It also reflects the evolving role of libraries as multifunctional community spaces, the requirement to align with  TRC Corporate Objectives, and the need for evidence-based planning to support continuous improvement. Together, these factors highlight the importance of developing a forward-looking strategy that ensures library services remain relevant, responsive, and sustainable into the future. 

 

 

Objectives Outcomes
Develop a clear strategic direction for our library services over the next five years A comprehensive Libraries Strategic Plan 2027–2032 that provides clear direction for library services over the next five years.
Ensure evidence-based planning by incorporating insights from the Library Service Review, service data, and community and stakeholder feedback. A strong evidence base for decision-making, incorporating service data, Library Service Review findings, and stakeholder feedback.
Engage stakeholders and the community to ensure the strategy reflects diverse needs, expectations, and lived experiences. Enhanced understanding of community needs and expectations, informed by inclusive engagement processes.
Position libraries for the future by addressing emerging trends in digital access, learning, community connection, and service delivery. Libraries strengthened as essential community infrastructure supporting learning, digital inclusion, social connection, and wellbeing.
Strengthen service relevance and responsiveness to meet the needs of a growing, diverse, and changing community. Strategic priorities and focus areas that ensure services remain relevant, responsive, and future-focused.
Embed a framework for monitoring and evaluation to support ongoing performance measurement and continuous improvement. A foundation for continuous improvement, enabling services to adapt and evolve in response to future needs and opportunities.

TRC Libraries Strategy 2017-19

Original Strategy Update - Paused for Service Review

February 2023

Regional Library Service Review

2025

Library Hours Review

February - March 2026

Strategy Update - Community Survey

October-November 2026

Internal Review

November 2026 - January 2027

Councillor Information Session

January 2027

Draft Strategy Update using feedback

February 2027

Report to Council for endorsement

March-April 2027

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