Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Adelong Tumut St Adelong 2729 P/F. 02 6946 2270

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riverina regional library annual report 2010-2011 Ariah Park 44-46 Coolamon St Ariah Park 2665 P. 02 6974 1077 Batlow Pioneer St Batlow 2730 P/F. 02 6949 1315

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Cootamundra Wallendoon St Cootamundra 2590 P/F. 02 6940 2200 Coolamon Cowabbie St Coolamon 2701 P. 02 6927 2492 Culcairn Balfour St Culcairn 2660 P/F. 02 6029 8241 Gundagai Sheridan St Gundagai 2722 P. 02 6944 0270

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Henty 30 Sladen St Henty 2658cootamundra P/F. 02 6929 3770 Junee greater hume 17 Denison St Junee 2663 P. 02 6924 2111 Talbingo Lampe St Talbingo 2720 P. 02 6949 5344 Temora 294 Hoskins St Temora 2666 P. 02 6977 1781 F. 02 6977 1911 Tumut 169 Wynyard St Tumut 2720 P/F. 02 6941 2581

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junee lockhart temora tumut

Wagga Wagga Civic Centre cnr Baylis & Morrow Sts wagga wagga Wagga Wagga 2650 P. 02 6926 9700 F. 02 6926 9799 Mobile Library Serving 24 Communities

www.rrl.nsw.gov.au

Adelong Tumut St Adelong 2729 P/F. 02 6946 2270

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Ariah Park 44-46 Coolamon St Ariah Park 2665 P. 02 6974 1077

riverina regional library annual report 2010-2011 Batlow Pioneer St Batlow 2730 P/F. 02 6949 1315

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Cootamundra Wallendoon St Cootamundra 2590 P/F. 02 6940 2200 Coolamon Cowabbie St Coolamon 2701 P. 02 6927 2492 Culcairn Balfour St Culcairn 2660 P/F. 02 6029 8241 Gundagai Sheridan St Gundagai 2722 P. 02 6944 0270

Our Vision

Henty 30 Sladen St Henty 2658 P/F. 02 6929 3770

Inspiring people, Juneeengaging communities, 17 Denison St Junee 2663enriching lives P. 02 6924 2111

Talbingo Lampe St Talbingo 2720 P. 02 6949 5344

Our Mission

Temora Creatively connecting people, 294 Hoskins St Temora 2666 information and knowledge P. 02 6977 1781 F. 02 6977 1911 Tumut 169 Wynyard St Tumut 2720 P/F. 02 6941 2581

Our Values

Wagga Wagga Respect forcnr people, and Civic Centre Baylis &ideas Morrow Stsknowledge Commitment to fostering communities Wagga Wagga learning 2650 equity P.Integrity, 02 6926 9700 F. 02and 6926quality 9799 of service Mobile Library Serving 24 Communities

www.rrl.nsw.gov.au 2

About Us The Riverina Regional Library (RRL) is one of the largest regional library services in NSW. It provides library services to approximately 108,000 constituents of 9 local government areas, these being the shires of Coolamon, Cootamundra, Greater Hume, Gundagai, Junee, Lockhart, Temora, Tumut and the City of Wagga Wagga (WWCC). The service consists of 13 stationary library branches and one mobile library/telecentre that serves 28 communities.

Adelong Library Tuesday 1pm - 5pm Wednesday 8.30pm - 11.30am Friday 2pm - 5pm P: 02 69462270 Ariah Park Library Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday and Sunday 9pm - 12 noon P: 02 69741099 Batlow Library

Mobile Library The RRL Mobile Library is set up in a purpose built semitrailer. This allows the library to access its customers instead of the customers accessing the library. The truck travels through a vast area of the Riverina region, servicing 28 rural and remote areas in addition to suburban service points within Wagga Wagga City.

Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm P: 02 69491315 Coolamon Library Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday - 9am - 12 noon P: 02 69 272492 Cootamundra Library Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm

For information on the current Mobile Library schedule please refer to the webpage: rrl.nsw.gov.au/mobile-library.html

Saturday 9.30 - 12 noon P: 02 69402200 Culcairn Library Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 12.30pm P: 02 60298588 Gundagai Library Monday, Wednesday Thursday and Friday 9am - 5pm P: 02 69440270 Henty Library Monday 1pm - 5.30pm Tuesday 10am - 5.30pm Wednesday 10am - 12.30pm Friday 10am - 5.30pm Saturday 10am - 12.30pm P: 02 69293770 Junee Library Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm Wednesday 9.30am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 12 noon P: 02 69242111 RRL Mobile Library 28 service points from the LGAs of: Coolamon, Greater Hume, Lockhart and Wagga Wagga City P: 0428 697 431 Talbingo Library Tuesday 9am - 5pm P: 02 69495344 Temora Library Monday - Friday 10am - 5.30pm Saturday 10am - 12 noon P: 02 69771781

For an online version of this report please refer to the webpage: rrl.nsw.gov.au

Tumut Library Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 12 noon P: 02 69412541 Wagga Wagga City Library Monday 11am - 7pm Tuesday - Friday 10am - 7pm Saturday 10am - 5pm P: 02 69269700

Contents RRL Advisory Committee 2010-2011 Members of Staff Chairperson’s Report Executive Director’s Report Our Strategic Priorites

4-5 6-9 9 10-12 13

RRL Divisional Reports Support Services

Administration

Collection Services

Regional Services

Library Information Technology Services

14-18

RRL Divisional Reports Outreach Services

Outreach Services

Information Services

Service Development

Children’s and Youth Services

Mobile Library Services

Outreach and Support Services Assistance

Internal Courier Services

18-25

RRL Branch Libraries Coolamon Library Cootamundra Library Greater Hume Shire Libraries

Culcairn Library

Henty Library Gundagai Library Junee Library RRL Mobile Library Temora Shire Libraries

Ariah Park Library

Temora Library Tumut Shire Libraries

Adelong Library

Batlow Library

Talbingo Library

Tumut Library Wagga Wagga City Library RRL Statistical Profile 2010-2011 Distribution of RRL Popultion RRL Contribution Table

26-28 29-31 32-33 34-37 38-41 41-45 45-47 47-48 48-49 50-50 51-51 52-53 53-55 56-62 63-64 65 65

RRL Advisory Committee 2010-2011 Coolamon Shire Council

Cr Geoff Glass

Delegate

Mr Terrey Kiss General Manager Executive Committee

Delegate

Mr Gerard Bradley Executive Manager, Corporate & Community Services

Alternate

Cootamundra Shire Council

Cr Allan Smith Chairperson

Delegate

Mr Ken Trethewey General Manager Executive Committee

Delegate

Cr Paul Braybrooks

Alternate

Greater Hume Shire Council

Mr Ian Gilbert Community Services Manager

Delegate

Cr Joan Evans

Delegate

Cr John Ross

Alternate

Gundagai Shire Council

Cr Len Tozer

Delegate

Mr Graeme Tickner General Manager

Delegate

Cr Abb McAlister

Alternate

Junee Shire Council

Cr Neil Smith

Delegate

Mr Greg Campbell General Manager

Delegate

Mr John Whitfield Manager Corporate Services

Alternate

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

RRL Advisory Committee 2010-2011 Lockhart Shire Council

Cr Joy Schultz

Delegate

Mr Chris Gallagher General Manager

Delegate

Cr John Paterson

Alternate

Temora Shire Council

Cr Irene Broad

Delegate

Mr Gary Lavelle General Manager

Delegate

Cr Rick Firman

Alternate

Tumut Shire Council

Cr Audrey McKenzie

Delegate

Mr Allan Tonkin Manager Corporate Services

Delegate

Cr Jan Knott

Alternate

Wagga Wagga City Council

Cr Donna Argus

Delegate

Cr Ray Goodlass Executive Committee

Delegate

Cr Yvonne Braid Deputy Chairperson

Delegate

Cr Rod Kendall Executive Committee

Delegate

Mr Phil Pinyon General Manager

Delegate

Ms Janice Summerhayes Director, Environmental and Community Services

Alternate

Riverina Regional Library

Mr Robert Knight Executive Director Riverina Regional Library

Ms Wendy Callis RRL Advisory Committee Minute Taker

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

5

Members of staff 2010-2011 Riverina Regional Library Headquarters Staff Riverina Regional Library Support Services Division

Robert Knight Wendy Callis Brian Plummer Helen Graetz Lynn Hackett Clare Morey

Executive Director RRL Administration Officer Coordinator Library Information Technology Services Library Information Technology Services Assistant Collection Services Officer Regional Services Officer

Riverina Regional Library Outreach Services Division

Kelly Shearer Cynthia Price Sharon Smith Anne Reardon Robert Chapman Kaylene Nisbet Doug Simpson

Outreach Services Coordinator Service Development Officer Children’s and Youth Services Librarian Information Services Officer Mobile Library Operator Library Assistant Library Assistant

Coolamon Library

Helen McLoughlin

Sharon Miles

Margaret Payton

Alex Thompson

Officer-in-Charge Casual Relief Staff Casual Relief Staff Volunteer Library Assistant

Cootamundra Library

Allison Aspden Lynne Thorburn Leanne Jones Marianne McInerney Lyn Angus

Branch Librarian Library Assistant Library Assistant Library Assistant Casual Relief Staff

Greater Hume Shire Libraries Culcairn Library

Susan Kane Eileen Parascos Tracey Barkely Jill Thiele Tarran Essen Dominique Heriot

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Officer-in-Charge Library Assistant Library Assistant Casual Relief Staff Casual Relief Staff Casual Relief Staff

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Members of staff 2010-2011 Henty Library

Susan Kane Jill Thiele Jenny Whitlock Tarran Essen

Officer-in-Charge Library Assistant Casual Relief Staff Casual Relief Staff

Gundagai Library

Cindy Smith Leeanne Sheahan

Officer-in-Charge Casual Relief Staff

Junee Library

Kim Richards Margaret Kanaley Linda Dyer Matthew Glass Sandra Harris

Branch Librarian Library Assistant Library Assistant Casual Relief Staff Casual Relief Staff

Riverina Regional Library Mobile Library

Robert Chapman Tina Farrall Wes Graetz Cameron Shearer

Mobile Library Operator Library Assistant Lockhart Relief Mobile Library Operator Relief Mobile Library Operator

Temora Shire Libraries Temora Library

Eileen England Ros Floyd Carmel Porter

Branch Librarian Library Assistant Casual Relief Staff

Ariah Park Library

Eileen England Angela Rees

Branch Librarian Library Assistant

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

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Members of staff 2010-2011 Tumut Shire Libraries Tumut Library

Kristin Twomey Rhonda Twomey Leanne Ballard Kari McRae Wendy Webb Kym Moore

Branch Librarian Library Assistant Library Assistant Library Assistant Casual Relief Staff Casual Relief Staff

Adelong Library

Roslyn Molineaux Kym Moore Wendy Webb

Library Assistant Casual Relief Staff Casual Relief Staff

Batlow Library

Melinda Annetts Sarah Kynaston Kym Moore

Library Assistant Casual Relief Staff Casual Relief Staff

Talbingo Library

Shirlee Straatsma Rochelle Nicholls Christina Gould

Library Assistant (from February 2011) Library Assistant (until January 2011) Casual Relief Staff

Wagga Wagga City Library

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Senior Staff Claire Campbell Amy Heap Margot Lumley Kate Webber

Manager Library Services Team Leader Programs, Partnerships and Promotions Team Team Leader Information Services/Circulation Team Senior Circulation and Facility Officer

Information Services/Circulation Team Margot Lumley Kate Webber Sarah Hofsteede Michelle Lubke Jenny Mansell Simon Malloy Kristy Diffey Marc Evans

Information Services Librarian Senior Library Assistant Circulation and Facility Officer Information Services Library Assistant Library Assistant Circulation and Facility Library Assistant Circulation and Facility Library Assistant Circulation and Facility Library Assistant Circulation and Facility Library Assistant Circulation and Facility

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Members of staff 2010-2011 Programs, Partnerships and Promotions Team (Wagga Wagga City Library)

Amy Heap Carol Slattery Michael Scutti Chrissie Bolton Kim Mussche Jeannie Nichols

Reader Services Librarian Programs and Promotions Assistant Programs Officer Programs Officer Programs Officer Programs Officer

Library Casuals Martin Pollard Ethan Bartlett Marita Macklin Matthew Griffin Izera Mazambo Jackie Sellars

Wagga Wagga City Library Volunteers Deirdre Coggan Friends of the Library

Chairperson’s Report We have come to the end of a financial year, giving me the opportunity, once again, of writing some words of introduction to this report.

Please take the opportunity of reading through it to see what has been accomplished. There has been marked progress in most areas of the Riverina Regional Library’s (RRL) functions. The statistics which are presented to each RRL Advisory Committee Meeting show continued, and frequently increased activity in most areas of the RRL’s functions. For example, Self Loan Stations at Wagga Wagga, Tumut, Temora and Cootamundra Libraries are being frequently used, thus freeing the staff for other library activities.

During the year there has been a change of Government. In June, I wrote on behalf of the library to the Premier, raising with him the importance of the implementation of the funding recommendations developed by the Library Council. He replied suggesting a meeting with the Minister for the Arts, the Hon. George Souris MP. We look forward to a future that can build on the achievements of the past!

Cr Allan N Smith Chairperson RRL Advisory Committee

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

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Executive Director’s Report 2010-2011 has been a busy and exciting year for Riverina Regional Library as the change process that has been lead by our Collections to Clients Strategy, continues to strengthen the service offerings of RRL and develop partnerships between branch libraries and their local communities.

Change is never easy for organisations to manage, and staff from across the region have experienced a lot of it in the past few years. Major changes have included:

ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ

the outsourcing of collection services the implementation of RFID technology introduction of an internal courier system the migration of the RRL library management system to browser based technology planning for the introduction of a digital library collection planning for the commission of a new mobile library planning for the relocation of the RRL Headquarters’ operation

Whilst the change process is sometimes challenging, being a change leader and taking a proactive approach to growth and development is much more desirable than being a change follower where options are severely limited.

All of these changes are aligned with the RRL Collections to Clients model, which seeks to refocus the attention of our libraries from a collection based philosophy to a customer service view of the world. This is underpinned by the RRL Integrated Planning Strategy (IPS), which has guided the activities of the organisation since July 2009. The strategic priorities of the IPS are: Community Wide Learning Connected Communities Sustainable Organisation RRL’s strategic priorities provide the foundation for strengthening RRL’s commitment to achieving cost effective, relevant and contemporary library service provision. Of course, none of the progress and success of RRL would be achieved without the commitment of inspirational staff at RRL Headquarters and each of its 14 branch libraries. Without exception, staff from across the region have demonstrated true professionalism, patience, innovation and quite often sheer brilliance throughout the many and varied changes that have been introduced.

It is largely due to the engagement of its staff that RRL is recognised as a regional and state leader in many of its initiatives and innovations. This reputation has been forged against a backdrop of increasing demand and changing expectations about public library service provision at every branch, so as always, the contribution of our people is gratefully acknowledged.

largely due to the engagement of its staff that RRL is recognised as a regional and state leader in many of its initiatives.”

“...it is

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

RRL Headquarters staff are on the move. After 33 years of colocation with the Wagga Wagga City Library, the RRL Headquarters operation is relocating to a separate building in central Wagga Wagga. With staffing space at a premium in the Wagga Wagga City Council’s Civic Centre, a mutually convenient proposal for the relocation of the RRL Headquarters operation was agreed upon in June 2011. The new building is currently being refurbished, with a midOctober target date for relocation.

RRL Branch and Headquarters staff have been exceptionally successful in attracting grant funding during 2010-2011.

RRL benefited from a total of $501,013 from the 20102011 Library Development Grants program. Successful applications submitted by four member Councils achieved an amazing 25% of the total $2m funding pool allocated to Library Development Grants under the Country Libraries Fund in 2010-2011. Projects that received funding were:

ŹŹ

Coolamon – funding for the refurbishment and fitout of the Coolamon Library annex - $36,150

ŹŹ

Greater Hume - auspiced a Riverina Regional Library application for the replacement of the Mobile Library - $200,000

ŹŹ

Tumut – auspiced a Riverina Regional Library application submitted on behalf of the South-West Zone of Public Libraries NSW to establish a digital library of downloadable e-books and audio books $200,000

ŹŹ

Wagga Wagga – funding for a Community Links project to provide collections and services that support a sustainable strategy for healthy ageing, social inclusion and a high quality of life for the 55+ age group in communities within the Wagga Wagga LGA - $64,863

In addition, RRL was successful with: ŹŹ An application to the Save Power Kits program, which was rolled out by the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) in early 2011. The program provided RRL with a number of Save Power Kits for distribution to branch libraries. The kits, which will be catalogued and circulated like any other library collection item, contain information about energy conservation, as well as devices that enable borrowers to conduct energy audits at home. ŹŹ An application to the Federal Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), grant program of $1m for the purchase of playback devices for public libraries around Australia. Known as the Library Initiative, the program aims to improve access for

ŹŹ

people with print disability to library material in a digital format through public libraries around the country.

An application to the Australian Government 2010-11 Accessible Communities initiative, which attracted funding of $30,000 for the Mobile Library Disabled & Mobility Access Project. This funding will provide enhanced disabled and mobility access for the new RRL Mobile Library, which will be commissioned in the second half of 2011.

This exceptional effort by staff across the region has significantly boosted RRL’s service provision capacity through the attraction of funding for projects that would otherwise not have progressed at all.

After several years of consultation with regional library stakeholders and negotiation with the state government about the constraints of Section 12 of the NSW Library Act 1939, the Library Amendment Bill 2011 was introduced to Parliament on 25 May to amend this legislation.

Section 12 of the Library Act previously included a very specific and prescriptive operating framework for regional libraries in NSW, which required the appointment of an administering council to assume control for the provision of library services to and by other member Councils.

This requirement has caused past political, financial and operational problems for some regional libraries in NSW. Given that the 18 regional library services in rural and regional NSW represent 68 of the 111 country councils across the state, there is clearly a high proportion of country councils that are associated with regional libraries. The Library Amendment Bill 2011 will enable councils which pool their resources for library services to implement joint management arrangements. Changing this section of the Act will give councils the freedom to use joint accountability and decision making in the provision of library services, if they so choose.

RRL staff maintain their involvement in a broad range of regional, state and national library sector organisations that assist in the development of the public library network. These contributions include representation on the Library Council of New South Wales; NSW Public Libraries Consultative Committee; Public Libraries Australia; the Colin Mills Scholarship Committee; and the NSW Public Libraries Evaluation Group. Staff have also supported Public Libraries NSW (including our local area – the South-West Zone); the Libero User Group; the Australian Mobile Library Muster Group; the establishment of the FE Technologies RFID User Group; as well as collaborations and partnerships with other sector organisations and community groups too numerous to mention across the RRL area.

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

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Whilst the state government contribution to the NSW public library sector remains the lowest per capita contribution of all states in Australia, the election of the coalition government in March 2011 has brought a promise of a broad review of funding for libraries and a commitment to an increase in funding levels. Already, a commitment of $4m has been made for increased funding to libraries in regional NSW and implementation of wireless hotspots in selected country libraries. The ideal outcome would be the restoration of state funding to a more realistic level and indexation of all funding components to ensure future sustainability of state government contributions.

In an environment where a number of the 18 regional libraries in country NSW are currently experiencing political, financial and operational difficulties, RRL, which is the largest regional library in terms of member Councils, continues to work with its member Councils and branch libraries to maintain a strong and viable regional library service. The RRL Advisory Committee and member Councils continue to demonstrate their support and confidence in the organisation. The philosophical and financial commitment of member Councils to the future of the regional library service, combined with the recognition of the community cultural development capacity of libraries in their respective local government areas, provides great leverage for RRL staff to achieve fantastic outcomes with and for their communities. Particular acknowledgement must be accorded to RRL Advisory Committee Chairperson Cr Allan Smith, Deputy Chairperson Cr Ray Goodlass and members of the RRL Executive Committee.

RRL has enjoyed a productive if somewhat hectic year in 2010-2011. The grant projects referred to earlier in my report, combined with the excitement of the relocation of the RRL Headquarters operation during October 2011, will ensure that there is never a dull moment in the year ahead. Most importantly of all, the member Councils, staff, Advisory Committee, and libraries that make up the RRL network will work together to deliver great collections, programs and services to the constituents of our 9 member Councils.

Robert Knight Executive Director Riverina Regional Library

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

What do we do?

The RRL Outreach Services Division is responsible for the development and implementation of programs and services to RRL branch libraries. Service provision is divided into the areas of: Information Services, Programs and Promotions and Mobile Library Services.

The RRL Support Services Division provides support functions and undertakes the general management and administration of the Riverina Regional Library. Service provision is divided into the areas of: Administration and Governance, Collection Services and IT Services.

Our Strategic Priorities: Community Wide Learning Develop a community learning culture Support learning communities Facilitate learning programs

Connected Communities Assist in developing client driven collections and resources Transform libraries to attract new client groups through inspired collections and programming Foster informed and connected communities by recognising and expanding on existing community connections

Sustainable Organisation Implement efficient and effective processes to minimise cost and waste Strengthen our people through succession planning Maximise emerging technologies

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

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RRL Division Reports 2010 Support Services Division

Events for the YOWILG were based around four themes: “Creative, Strong, Inclusive and Diverse”.

The Support Services Division of RRL provides support functions and undertakes the general management and administration of the Riverina Regional Library. Service provision is divided into the areas of: Administration and Governance, Collection Services and IT Services.

Administration Riverina Regional Library Administration staff provided ongoing secretarial and administrative support to the Executive Director and staff of the region throughout 2010-2011. This included payroll, accounts, meeting and conference organisation, travel and training arrangements, and daily administrative duties.

During this period the payroll system became automated; keeping up with technology and improving staff work processes. This has enabled Wagga Wagga City Library and Riverina Regional Library (RRL) Headquarters staff to be selfsufficient and responsible for their individual timesheet and leave recording.

In preparation for an impending re-location of RRL Headquarters and staff, work processes and procedures were reviewed. This resulted in an application for all RRL mailing activities to be arranged directly with the Post Office rather than being administered by Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC).

Corporate Training attended by the Administration Officer throughout the year consisted of: Manual Handling, OH&S Risk Assessment, 2007 upgrade Office Suite, Procurement, Defibrillator, Finance 1, ECM and Culture at Work training.

Many hours of preparation and organising of the 2010 Public Libraries NSW Annual Conference in Albury (July 2010) was a highlight of the year, with the opportunity of meeting library staff from around NSW and listening to some interesting guest speakers.

Attendance at a regional conference for Executive Support staff (October 2010), organised by Wagga Wagga City Council, provided a forum to meet with administrative staff outside of the library field and listen to informative guest speakers.

2010 was the Year of Women in Local Government (YOWILG).

The Administrative Officer, along with a small group of dedicated female employees from WWCC, organised several functions that were held throughout the year raising awareness of the significant role women play in the effectiveness and long-term health of Local Government.

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To coincide with the Year of Women in Local Government a Forum organised by REROC was held at Charles Sturt University in September 2010 which was attended, providing a worthwhile professional development opportunity.

In looking back 2010-2011 was a hectic year with many professional development opportunities along with hints of challenges and change that 2011-2012 is going to bring. An exciting year ahead awaits.

Wendy Callis Administrative Officer

Collection Services 2010-2011 has been another challenging year for the outsourcing of collection services. Open communication with our suppliers and branch libraries is essential to ensure effective workflows between all stakeholders.

Willingness by stakeholders to make and adapt to changes has seen many process improvements ensuring RRL is “heading in the right direction.”

After consultation, the decision was made to change two suppliers and a specialist Large Print vendor was arranged.

Due to the timeliness of supply, the non fiction supplier was also replaced.

The appointed suppliers for 2010-2011 were:

ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ

Keith Ainsworth – Adult, Youth and Junior Fiction, Picture Books and CD stories MDM Entertainment – DVDs and Music CDs Southern Scene (New) – Large Print James Bennett (Up until 30 September) – Non Fiction, Reference and Junior Non Fiction AES (New, from 1 October) – Non Fiction, Reference and Junior Non Fiction

It was pleasing to see the General Manager of AES visit the branch libraries to meet staff and discuss their branch profiles, non fiction analysis and address any concerns. The General Manager of AES visited from the 12 – 14 October and followed up again on the 11-13 May. The Managing Director of Keith Ainsworth and the Sales and Marketing Manager of MDM Entertainment also visited the region from the 4 May – 6 May 2010.

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

During 2010-2011, 3,034 items were catalogued and processed. Wagga Wagga City Library was fortunate to receive 1,042 DVDs in June, which Wagga Wagga City Library shared between all branch libraries. DVDs are a popular collection item at all libraries and therefore are well received.

Over the 2010-2011 period, Collection Services received 252 grant items which were catalogued and processed for branch libraries throughout the year.

The total number of new items purchased was 16, 361 and the items arrived shelf ready to branch libraries via the internal courier service. Quality checks are performed regularly to ensure processing is maintained to our specified requirements.

De-selecting continues at all libraries to remove any unused and outdated material. Transferring items is also carried out on a regular basis between most libraries. It is a great opportunity for library patrons to borrow “new” items they haven’t seen before.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) which were introduced to monitor important aspects of outsourcing include:

ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ

Average cost per item and shelf ready cost per item Average cost of cataloguing and processing per item Cataloguing quality and adherence to quarterly supply (30%, 30%, 30%, 10%) are maintained monthly by the Library Information Technology Assistant and the Collection Services Officer

Spreadsheets are emailed to suppliers quarterly in September, December, March and June recording their level of compliance with supply. These figures are also reported to the RRL Advisory Committee.

The Outreach and Support Services Assistant (OSSA) works part-time within both divisions of RRL. The key responsibilities of the OSSA in the Support Services Division are collection preservation, mending, encoding RFID tags, re-packaging and re-labeling items where necessary, end processing tasks and also DVDs, Music CDs, CD stories and MP3 cleaning. The commitment and diligence of the OSSA ensures that the processing of donated items complies with the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to all branches.

With continued input and support from all stakeholders, the outsourcing of the Strategic Procurement model will become a successful partnership for Riverina Regional Library.

Lynn Hackett Collection Services Officer Riverina Regional Library

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

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Regional Services 2010-2011 proved to be a year of collaboration with the Regional Services Officer (RSO) working on a number of worthwhile and exciting projects with staff from both the Support Services and the Outreach Services Divisions of RRL as well as performing ongoing duties.

The RSO continued to administer the quarterly Service Level Agreement and Integrated Planning Strategy reporting for RRL through Performance Planning software provided by Wagga Wagga City Council – these reports are now available online for delegates through the secure portal of the RRL webpage. Along with the quarterly reporting, the RSO has maintained and reviewed policy documentation for the organisation. Although current policy documentation is adequate, there is a need for more to be done in this area in the coming year as libraries become increasingly engaged with providing online content and using social networking tools to communicate with the public.

During February 2011, an application was made to the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs for funding of audio playback devices.

The funding for the playback devices was targeted toward print disabled people within the community and facilitated by successful libraries across Australia. RRL was fortunate to be successful in its grant application and will receive 70 audio players in total for the region. The RSO worked closely with staff from the Outreach Services Division and the Library Information Technology Assistant to provide a support and management role in all aspects of the project. The now named: Hear the Words program is currently running in all 14 branches of the RRL with programming to begin in the 20112012 financial year.

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It is envisaged that programming may include a reading club for small groups of print disabled people and a pilot project which will see the introduction of integrated book clubs across the region – it is proposed that this model will be offered on a trial basis with planning and initial discussions completed in the first half of 2011.

During the year, the RSO worked with IT Division staff in the maintenance and review of the member registration process including renaming of member forms for linking within the library management system. This process, although involved, has worked well and the RSO thanks the IT Division staff for their commitment to this project. Further review of the membership form process will occur in 2011-2012 to ensure that the procedures are as streamlined as possible for branch library staff.

An application for the Local Government and Shires Association RH Dougherty Awards 2011 – Reporting to Your Community Award was prepared and submitted in June 2011. The application provided a snapshot of the online version of the RRL Annual Report 2009-2010. Advice on successful submissions will be received in August 2011.

The past year has been productive with a number of collaborative projects being undertaken to benefit RRL. The year has been underpinned by collaborative work across divisions and with branch library staff – this has proven a worthwhile approach that has provided a number of on-thejob training opportunities. The RSO looks forward to 20112012 which will see RRL Headquarters staff move into new premises in Peter Street, Wagga Wagga.

Clare Morey Regional Services Officer Riverina Regional Library

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Information Technology 2010-2011 saw some major projects and innovations undertaken by the Information Technology Division. Highlights for the year include:

ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ

The transition to the fully browser-based version of our Library Management System – Libero 6 The further development and application of specialist reports for project planning, project management, data control and integrity and enhanced RRL Advisory Committee reporting The exploitation of the increased functionality in Libero 6 for workflow and process improvement

There is no doubt that the transition to Libero 6 was the major project undertaken by the Information Technology Division during the 2010-2011 year.

The transition involved extensive planning, staff training and exhaustive testing prior to implementation. Post implementation, RRL’s role as Libero’s principal Australian Beta Test site went into overdrive.

It was fortunate that key RRL staff had the opportunity to attend Libero 6 transition training in Albury during early 2010.

These staff then developed training packages in critical areas of the Library Management System, with the application of RRL’s policies and procedures. These training packages focused principally on circulation/front-of-house operations including loans, returns, reservations, member registration and catalogue searching.

During July and August 2010 in excess of 60 RRL staff received training in Libero 6. The training was provided by Helen Graetz, Cynthia Price and Brian Plummer. In addition to being training, these sessions also provided considerable feedback to Libero in terms of product functionality, workflow, performance and bug identification. An extensive log was submitted to Libero Support of issues that were identified as being essential to act on prior to RRL going “live” with the product.

RRL went “live” with Libero 6 on 20 September 2010. In terms of the transfer of data the transition went very smoothly. In terms of performance however, speed problems were evident from the beginning.

RRL IT Services Division worked extensively with Libero Support on a program of speed optimisation targeting critical areas of the software, particularly in relation to circulation and catalogue searching. IT Division staff also undertook a detailed review of the existing connectivity arrangements across all member Council areas, and identified significant variability in the quality and configuration of connectivity. By December 2010 speed optimisation of the software had been undertaken in the most critical areas. Additionally, numerous workflow improvements proposed by RRL were incorporated into the software. RRL IT Services Division also upgraded slip printers and purchased wide-screen monitors for all circulation points to give improved performance and usability.

The product is currently performing well with many additional areas of functionality and improved workflows (many of which have been at RRL’s suggestion) than the previous versions of the software.

The IT Division worked in close partnership with the Regional Services Officer, Collection Services Officer, Outreach Services Division, Branch Libraries and External Procurement agencies on a number of significant projects and process improvement initiatives including:

ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ

Member registration process – form re-design, scanning and linking of images to member records in Libero to satisfy compliance requirements; Increased use of “Statistical Codes” to give greater flexibility in collection management whilst allowing targeted monitoring of collection performance; People counter functionality implemented in RFID security gates at most remote branches; and The Hear the Words Increasing Accessibility Library Initiative

RRL hosted the Libero User Group meeting in September 2010 which attracted in excess of 50 delegates from Libero sites around Australia. IT Division staff played an active role in the organisation of the User Group meeting and also in their role as the principal Australian Beta testing site. IT Division staff also attended the FE Smart Library User Group in Melbourne during October.

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A considerable amount of time has also been devoted to developing and delivering Libero and related training to staff across the region. This has been delivered at Regional Branch meetings, to new staff members and during branch visits. Training notes are accessible to all staff as procedural guides through the RRL website.

The IT Division enjoyed a very productive 2010-2011 and look forward to playing a major role in RRL’s on-going progress and development in the forthcoming year.

Brian Plummer Coordinator Library Information Technology Services Riverina Regional Library

Helen Graetz Information Technology Assistant Riverina Regional Library

Outreach Services Division The Outreach Services Division (OS) is responsible for the development and implementation of programs and services to RRL branch libraries. Service provision is divided into the areas of: Information Services, Programs and Promotions and Mobile Library Services.

The Outreach Services team provided a number of programming opportunities for Riverina Regional Library branches during 20102011.

Parenting Book Club Riverina Regional Library (RRL) and Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC) launched the Parenting Book Club (PBC) in August 2010.

The PBC is a joint initiative of the RRL and Wagga Wagga City Council. Since its inception, the PBC now boasts 13 individual clubs around the region, each comprising approximately 8 members – that is around 104 parents in total! The PBC is based on the highly successful RRL Book Club framework and specifically aims to empower families and friends in developing their own personal support networks and maximise their capacity for effective parenting. The program is aimed at developing community connections amongst parents by encouraging discussion and sharing of parenting experiences in self-selected and self-managed groups. The resources encompass a broad range of topics spanning stages of child development and family dynamics. Subjects include family budgeting, literacy, toilet training, baby massage, lullaby music and DVDs on the increasing role fathers play in parenting.

There are currently 43 different parenting kits available.

Travelling exhibition – Jean Genies The Outreach Services team coordinated the Jean Genies travelling exhibition during the months of July and August 2010. This program was inspired by The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants series by Ann Brashares. The Jean Genies program involved a state-wide exhibition consisting of jeans that have been decorated by youth at participating libraries in 2008 and 2009. RRL branches that participated in this exciting program included: Adelong, Batlow, Coolamon, Cootamundra, Culcairn, Gundagai, Henty, Junee, Talbingo, Temora and Tumut. The Outreach Services team partnered with Just Jeans to promote this program and they kindly offered a gift voucher as a competition prize. Youth were invited into libraries to view the exhibition and to create their own inspired piece to be used to decorate a pair of jeans – each piece sewn on the jeans represents the region and will be incorporated into a travelling exhibition for the future.

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

RRL Website The Outreach Services staff have been working with a web designer to create a new modern look for RRL’s website. Staff identified the need for the website to provide information and services online to enable 24 hour access to RRL. The Service Development Officer, Children’s and Youth Services Librarian and Outreach Services Coordinator are all able to upload website material. Staff are committed to providing up-to-date information to members using this media. This was evident during the December 2010 storm event that required temporary closure of Wagga Wagga City Library; the Outreach Services team provided regular updates on the website and also information on alternative library services such as the Mobile Library.

The website redevelopment has enabled use of current sotware tools, such as a calendar that details the Mobile Library schedule. RRL staff are able to update the Mobile Library calendar to provide current updates on service disruptions and this can be done remotely which is also of great benefit. The website redevelopment was a major project undertaken by the Outreach Services team during the 2010 period and it will continue to develop to take advantage of new technologies as they emerge.

Outreach Services Branch Visits The Outreach Services staff, in their commitment to consultation, established a new method of consulting with branch libraries. During December 2010 and January 2011, the Outreach Services team conducted visits to branch libraries to discuss existing programs and services.

These annual meetings with branch library staff have been implemented to identify learning program target groups at a branch level and to acquire information to be utilised by the OS team to develop a regional approach for implementing learning programs. These meetings have provided the OS team with the opportunity for continuous improvement.

Mobile Library Grants RRL was successful in attaining grant funding to purchase a replacement Mobile Library for RRL. The first grant secured was a NSW State Library Development grant for $200,000 and a Federal Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) grant for $30,000.

The Library Development grant will be used as general funding towards the purchase of the replacement vehicle and the FaHCSIA grant will be used to cover costs associated with access to the Mobile Library, including wheel chair access. It is envisaged that the replacement Mobile Library will be commissioned in 2012.

Save Power Kits The Outreach Services team collaborated with Wagga Wagga City Council staff to extend an expression of interest in the provision of Save Power Kits provided by the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water.

RRL were successful in receiving the maximum allocation of 25 Save Power Kits. These were received, catalogued, processed and distributed around the region in March 2011.

During the months of April, May and June 2011 the average number of kits borrowed each month was 46.

Seniors Week The Outreach Services team designed Seniors Week posters to be used to promote RRL libraries’ services and programs for Seniors, including: audio books; DVDs; CDs; magazines; seniors computer kiosks; large print books; and the general library collection. The OS team also liaised with NSW Seniors Card, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) to provide RRL branches with pamphlets.

Refugee Week The Outreach Services staff established a new partnership with Eastern Riverina Arts, an association whose focus is on the development of regional cultural and arts activity.

Eastern Riverina Arts currently work with Bland, Coolamon, Cootamundra, Harden, Lockhart, Temora, Tumut, Urana and Wagga Wagga City Councils.

RRL and Eastern Riverina Arts formed a collaborative partnership to provide a regional Refugee Week project.

Postcards were designed to focus on what people would take if they only had minutes to flee. There was a really great response from branch libraries and all contributions were included in a Refugee Week display located at Kyeamba Smith Hall in Wagga Wagga.

Kevin Hennah Workshop The Outreach Services Coordinator and Information Services Officer attended the Kevin Hennah training in April 2011.

This training was arranged by RRL and offered to library staff in the South West Zone. The workshop focused on interior design, layout and merchandising for libraries. The knowledge gained at this workshop will be used to assist branch libraries to create welcoming and aesthetically pleasing library environments. RRL staff will also use this knowledge to assist in the layout and design of the replacement Mobile Library.

Library Lovers Week The Outreach Services staff provided branches with ideas and activities to promote Library Lovers Week. The OS staff assisted Tumut, Adelong, Cootamundra and Henty Libraries to celebrate Library Lovers Day on 14 February 2011. The Information Services Officer assisted branch libraries with an interactive display in which members could add their favourite books and the Children’s and Youth Services Librarian supplemented Library Lovers Day by providing a chocolate fountain.

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Youth Week The Outreach Services Information Services Officer coordinated Zumba activities for Greater Hume Shire and Coolamon Shire Libraries. The Zumba activities were scheduled to coincide with Youth Week in 2011. A Zumba instructor from Southern Cross Performing Arts provided Zumba instruction to youth. This was fun activity that provided youth with a fun introduction to fitness through dance.

Internal Courier Service RRL’s Internal Courier service has provided the organisation with greater control over the process of resource distribution around the region. Branch library staff have responded in a positive manner to the introduction of this new service and the faster delivery of materials has been noted. The internal courier service provides an opportunity for library materials to be sorted through the duration of the service and therefore branches have the benefit of receiving items collected from libraries earlier in the service route. RRL staff have noted the reduction in frequency of damaged items and the benefit of being able to send a variety of items to branches, such as TVs and exhibition panels.

Kelly Shearer Outreach Services Coordinator Riverina Regional Library

Information Services The Information Services section of the Outreach Services Division focuses on Inter Library Loans, Inter Branch Loans, and the Riverina Regional Library Book Club.

Inter Library Loans RRL responds to and makes requests for Inter Library Loans through both the Libraries Australia Document Delivery Service and through direct contact via email with other libraries throughout Australia. Our collection continues to be extremely popular with borrowers from other libraries. RRL continues to operate in accordance with the Library Australia guidelines in providing titles which are valuable for research, are rare or precious, or not available at other libraries.

RRL library members continue to benefit from the Inter Library Loans service by being able to obtain items which are not held in our collection. The service is available at all branch libraries enabling our members to have access to over 700 libraries across Australia, the New Zealand TePuna Inter Library Loan Network and the international supplier Infotrieve. The Inter Library Loans service also includes access to collections at the State Library of NSW including: Foreign Language, Large Print and Audio Books.

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Inter Branch Loans The Inter Branch Loans service has continued to benefit from running a RRL Internal Courier Service. RRL Library Assistant, Doug Simpson, has established a great rapport with the branch staff and this regular face-to-face contact has proven valuable to staff at both the branch libraries and RRL Headquarters.

Branch staff continue to comment on the faster turn-around times on deliveries and the advantage of being able to send an unlimited amount of items. The labelling of delivery tubs has been updated and regular consultation regarding possible improvements to the service is ongoing.

Riverina Regional Library Book Club The RRL Book Club has expanded again and currently has a membership of 52 clubs – therefore approximately 520 members! The number of clubs based in Wagga Wagga has risen to 37, and the increase of interest in the surrounding local government areas has risen to 15 including 5 at Gundagai, 3 at Cootamundra, 2 at Junee, 2 at Coolamon, 1 at Temora and 2 clubs whose members access their book club kits via the RRL Mobile Library.

The RRL Book Club collection has once again been supplemented with new purchases. Purchase requests from members and library staff, as well as titles proving popular with other book clubs, were all considered. Details regarding all the titles in the collection, RRL Book Club Guidelines and registration forms are available on the RRL website.

Anne Reardon Information Services Officer Riverina Regional Library

Service Development The redevelopment of RRL’s website was the main focus this year for the Service Development Officer. The new look website was officially launched at the Riverina Regional Library Advisory Committee Meeting in November. Over 120 pages of content have been added to the website, providing comprehensive information about RRL, its services and programs. RRL is using Google Analytics to gather statistics in relation to the website. In the last quarter of 2010-2011 there was a 39% increase in visitors to RRL’s website. Outreach Services staff aim to make RRL’s website dynamic and up-todate with continuous maintenance and information added.

A secure portal was developed for the website. Access to the portal via password has been provided to RRL branch staff and Advisory Committee members. Advisory Committee members can now receive meeting notices and minutes electronically via the secure portal. Information about RRL’s library management system, programs and services is also available to branch staff via the secure portal.

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

The Service Development Officer was involved in two successful grant applications over the year:

• Working with the Regional Services Officer, RRL applied

to the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) for the purchase of playback devices through the Increasing Accessibility Library Initiative. The Initiative aims to improve access for people with a print disability to material in a digital format. RRL will receive 70 playback devices over the duration of the Initiative. The Service Development Officer was involved in the initial grant application and the subsequent roll out of the playback devices. The Initiative extends into 2011-2012, with the delivery of programming to support the playback devices.

Children’s and Youth Services The Riverina Regional Library’s Children’s and Youth Services Librarian (CYSL) provides reference shift assistance to Wagga Wagga City Library for two hours a week. Reference shifts ensure the CYSL maintains a high level of professional knowledge of the resources and practices in information provision and customer service.

Early Literacy – Baby Bounce, Storytime and Toddlertime RRL Early Literacy themes have increased from 70 to 81 with new themes such as “Leaping Lizards” and “From Caterpillar to Butterfly” proving to be very popular. Over the 2010-2011 year, 400 Early Literacy kits were provided across the region.

Storytime presentations by RRL staff included : “All things Royal” at Junee Library; “Fairytales” at Gundagai Library; “Hippity Hop” at Adelong Library; “Hocus Pocus” at Coolamon Library; “Outer Space” at Temora Library; RRL and Greater Hume Shire presented “We’re going to the Zoo” at the Family and School Storytime promotion hosted by Culcairn Public School’s new library facility; RRL presented “Teddy Bears” at the Kookaburra Preschool in Wagga Wagga; and enjoyed viewing a presentation of “Crocodiles” at Storytime in Cootamundra.

Early literacy participant statistics: 12,962 adults and children enjoyed RRL Baby Bounce, Toddlertime and Storytime programs this year.

• Save Power Kits were provided to all branch libraries

through a grant provided by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. The Save Power Kits provide library members with tools to measure electricity usage in the home and ideas on how to save energy.

The Service Development Officer also assisted with the purchase and distribution of new member folders. RRL staff supplied branch libraries with presentation folders to be given to new members as part of the membership process. These folders include RRL’s membership policy and information on programs and services. Branch libraries are able to include local program and service details. The design of the new member folders include the RRL logo and web address.

Cynthia Price Service Development Officer Riverina Regional Library

In May 2011, Lockhart embraced the addition of an early literacy program into their community. Barbara Madden and Principal of Lockhart Central School, Richard Schell, have inspired the Lockhart Shire Council to tap into the Riverina Regional Library Storytime resources and now provide two Storytime sessions a month to carers of children aged 0 - 5 years. Lockhart Storytime welcomes over 20 children and carers every fortnight incorporating fun and learning using books, songs, rhymes, toys and puppets from both RRL and Lockhart Central School resources.

School Holiday Programming School holiday programs are designed to be fun and educational incorporating the learning of history and culture through stories, games and craft activities. Eighteen School Holiday kits are currently circulating throughout RRL branches. 2010-11 saw the development of two new programs : RRL presented the two most recent programs ChocoLOT! at Coolamon, Junee, Temora and Wagga Wagga City Libraries and Sarah’s Corking Creations at libraries in Cootamundra, Tumut and Gundagai.

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RRL Children’s and Youth Services funded travel and accommodation of Distractions Circus Workshops during Youth Week held during April 2011 to present at Temora, Coolamon, Wagga Wagga x 2, Junee, Cootamundra, Gundagai and Tumut Libraries.

RRL Children’s and Youth Services funded travel and accommodation for the ever popular Travelbugs in January 2011 to present interactive insect workshops at Culcairn, Wagga Wagga, Coolamon, Junee and Cootamundra Libraries. These workshops also went to Holbrook Library and the Tolland Community Centre Wagga Wagga.

National Simultaneous Storytime Information and support were provided to participating libraries of the National Simultaneous Storytime. This campaign is organised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), in which a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously to children in a variety of venues around Australia. The campaign is an integral part of promoting the value of reading and literacy within Australian society. The book read around Australia this year was Feathers for Phoebe by Rod Clement.

Book Week Across the Story Bridge Book Week resources were purchased and distributed across the region to participating libraries. Each year, many schools and public libraries from all over Australia spend a week celebrating books and Australian authors and illustrators. Classroom teachers, teacher librarians and public librarians develop activities, offer competitions and tell stories relating to a theme which highlights the importance of reading. A selection of short listed books were provided by RRL to participating libraries (Culcairn, Henty, Coolamon, Junee, Gundagai, Cootamundra and Wagga Wagga) to run a member competition. RRL staff members were invited to participate in the Cootamundra Book Week Parade on 20 August. RRL staff characters were “Dorothy” from the timeless classic The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum and “Smarty Pants the Clown” from the book Smarty Pants by Joy Cowley. This event was featured on the local news and in the local paper.

Summer Reading Club Scare up a Good Book Summer Reading Club resources, activities and competitions were purchased, developed and distributed across the region to participating libraries. This initiative is based on research that determined how the amount of reading done out of school is consistently related to gains in reading achievement. This program helps students return to school in the new year ready to learn and with greater reading fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. yourTutor RRL staff visited the teachers at Cootamundra High and Junee High for a live demonstration of yourTutor, an online, interactive homework help tool for students in years 4-12.

Parenting Book Club This year saw the partnership between Wagga Wagga City Council and RRL in the development of the Parenting Book Club (PBC). The PBC is a joint initiative of the Riverina Regional Library and Wagga Wagga City Council. It is based on the highly successful RRL Book Club framework and specifically aims to empower families and friends in developing their own personal support networks and maximise their capacity for effective parenting.

The PBC provides groups of up to eight participants kits of resources to share and to discuss together using background notes and discussion questions that are included with each kit. The program is aimed at developing community connections amongst parents by encouraging discussion and through the sharing of parenting experiences in self-selected and selfmanaged groups. The resources encompass a broad range of topics spanning stages of child development and family dynamics. Subjects include family budgeting, literacy, toilet training, baby massage, lullaby music and DVDs on the increasing role fathers play in parenting. There are currently 43 different parenting kits available. The PBC can be accessed at Riverina Regional Library’s 14 branches.

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Jessica Rowe, who currently appears on Channel 7’s Sunrise, recently visited Wagga to promote her new book Love Wisdom Motherhood – Jessica’s book is the newest addition to the Wagga Wagga City Council (WWCC) and Riverina Regional Library (RRL) PBC resource kits. Staff from RRL Outreach Services were fortunate to meet with Jessica at Collin’s Bookstore in Wagga Wagga where she graciously agreed to sign all nine books in the kit and to provide another signed copy to give away. Jessica also provided a photo of herself and a quote to be used in promotional activities.

This is Jessica’s quote for the signed copy : “Libraries are wonderful! They helped fuel my love of words and reading.”

Later at the Northcott Literary Luncheon, after talking about the wonderful interviews included in her book, Jessica concluded her speech expressing her gratitude for the addition of her book as part of the Riverina Regional Library’s Parenting Book Club:

“that gave me goosebumps, because that is what I really hoped this book will do, to be passed around to people and discussed and laughed about and just an opportunity to share stories; stories that we all have and that we can learn from one another.”

And this sums up the basis of the Parenting Book Club service, inspiring people, engaging communities and enriching lives.

Catch a Reading Bug Day RRL and Coolamon Library staff participated in the Reading Bug Day at Coolamon Central School during September 2010 as the Grand old Duke of York and Wally from the Where’s Wally adventure books.

Dungeons & Dragons This year saw the development of D&D game kits. Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy game in which players assume the roles of characters journeying through a magical world. The secret of D&D’s appeal lies in storytelling (hence our interest!).

Humans have been listening to each other tell stories for centuries. The imagination and narrative of D&D brings together all types of people to mutually create an adventure story. Campaigns are as limitless as the player’s imagination.

Players confront and solve problems together using strategic thinking and teamwork.

While ABC Radio’s regular speaker, well known author Krista Bell, was on holiday, staff of RRL, Greater Hume Shire and Cootamundra Libraries were invited to talk about children’s and youth books, as well as upcoming library activities in each region. These radio spots proved a worthwhile opportunity to promote RRL services in the region.

“Libraries are wonderful!

They helped to fuel my love of words and reading. Jessica X.” Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

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Premier’s Reading Challenge CYSL continues to attend the Wagga Wagga and Region Teacher Librarian’s meetings each school term. Liaison with the teacher librarians assisted RRL to make a contribution towards the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC). PRC is available for all NSW students in Kindergarten–Year 9. The Challenge aims to encourage in students a love of reading for leisure and pleasure, and to enable students to experience quality literature. RRL staff will continue to add the new PRC titles selected each year enabling easier catalogue searches for both the public and for schools.

Cybersafety Libraries in RRL were encouraged to incorporate the Australian Government Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy’s Cybersafety Help button onto public and staff computers to provide advice to persons regarding online safety.

Representation RRL’s Children’s and Youth Services Librarian is on the steering committee for the Young People in NSW Libraries Working Group. This is a state-wide working group of the Public Libraries NSW Country and Public Libraries NSW - Metropolitan associations. This working group addresses library services to young people across a range of age brackets - early childhood, children, teenagers and young adults.

Representatives from RRL branches met at the Children’s and Youth Services meeting August 2010 to discuss and develop programs and events previous and upcoming.

Training RRL’s Children’s and Youth Services Librarian has completed training in the following – Facilitation skills, Fire Warden training, HSC Forum 2010, Adobe InDesign CS4 Introduction, Opening Doors to Early Literacy, 7 Habits Fundamentals, RUGame? games and public libraries; and the Riverina Professional Association of Teacher Librarians (RIVPAT) annual conference in Albury.

Sharon Smith Children’s and Youth Services Librarian Riverina Regional Library

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Mobile Library Services The RRL Mobile Library Operator has continued to provide library services and facilitate outreach activities to the participating local government areas of Coolamon Shire, Greater Hume Shire, Lockhart Shire and Wagga Wagga City Council.

The Mobile Library schedule, which was revised in April 2011, now includes a fortnightly maintenance day. This fortnightly service day has resulted in less off-road time for the Mobile Library and minimal service disruption for customers.

The Mobile Library Operator has continued to receive assistance from shire staff at selected Lockhart Shire service points. Support has also been provided over the 2010-2011 period from RRL Headquarters Staff who assisted casual Mobile Library drivers during staff leave.

Floods From October 2010 through to February 2011, Mobile Library services were affected by localised flooding with some service disruption due to damage affecting roads and bridges. Uranquinty, Collingullie and Lockhart stops were affected by localised flooding and Humula was affected by damage to the bridge from floods.

2010-2011 has been a busy year training relief staff and dealing with the outcomes from the flood event that impacted the service schedule and damaged the roads and bridges in remote villages. Staff look forward to 2012 which will see the commissioning of a new Mobile Library for RRL thanks to successful Library Development Grants submitted

by RRL Headquarters Staff. The Mobile Library Operator would like to thank all staff who have assisted with the operation of the Mobile Library.

Robert Chapman Mobile Library Operator Riverina Regional Library

Outreach and Support Services Assistance The Outreach and Support Services Assistant (OSSA) has continued to support the Collection Services Officer in collection preservation, mending, end processing tasks and general collection services duties. The OSSA also assists Outreach Services Staff with the region’s Inter Branch Loans and Inter Library Loans, providing relief support to the Information Services section on Fridays. As well as these tasks, the OSSA also assists in providing relief for staff leave on the internal courier run.

2010-2011 proved a busy year for the OSSA. In addition to normal duties, the OSSA provided relief assistance when required.

Kaylene Nisbet Outreach and Support Services Assistant Riverina Regional Library

Internal Courier Service The Outreach Services Assistant provides an internal courier service to the 14 branches of the RRL. Introduced in mid 2010, in its first year the service has provided:

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cost containment a fixed delivery schedule maximum flexibility of delivery unlimited volume of deliveries provided RRL with full control over the service and the staff delivering it significantly enhanced customer service both to branch libraries and their customers

The 2010-2011 service schedule is: Monday - Mobile, Junee, Temora, Cootamundra, Tumut and Wagga Wagga City Libraries.

Tuesday - Mobile, Culcairn, Henty and Coolamon Libraries.

Thursday - Mobile, Junee, Temora, Cootamundra, Gundagai, Tumut and Wagga Wagga City Libraries.

In 2009-2010 , the budget for delivery of material between branches (by external couriers) was $13,000. This equates to 1,625 deliveries at an average of $8 per tub. In the 12 months from August 2010 to July 2011, 3,622 tubs were delivered around the region - more than double the amount that could be afforded under the previous commercial courier system.

2010-2011 proved to be a productive year for the Outreach Services Assistant. Thanks must be given to staff from RRL Headquarters who assisted during staff leave time.

Doug Simpson Outreach Services Assistant Riverina Regional Library

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Coolamon Library Coolamon - Information Services ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ

Online Catalogue – assistance is offered to customers requiring help with databases such as navigation and operation of the RRL catalogue.

Promotions of the databases are held during Book Week with many schools visiting the library.

Inter Branch Loans are very popular as it offers our customers a variety of resources which are not always available from the Coolamon Library.

Inter Library bulk loans received from the State Library of NSW: assists in supplying books for Coolamon residents of Allawah Lodge Nursing Home.

Three public access computers, faxing, laminating and printing are available to Coolamon Library customers.

Coolamon Shire’s website is very useful for promoting and marketing events at the library.

Coolamon - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs ŹŹ Coolamon Library held a Book Launch for local resident and author Mr Gordon Collis on 31 March, 2011. The morning was a huge success with family, friends and the local Coolamon Canola Group in attendance. Morning tea was provided with book sales and personal signing of Mr Collis’ book The Franklin Conspiracy. ŹŹ Aged Care Expo was held on the 11 May 2011 in the library and the Up to Date Store. The expo provided a variety of stalls, support services, information stands and displays for the elderly in the community. ŹŹ “Catch a Reading Bug Day” was held at the Coolamon Central School on the 16 September 2010. The day involved the whole school with Storytime sessions conducted by RRL’s Children’s and Youth Services Librarian and Coolamon Library’s Officer-in-Charge. The day included crafts, school bands, children dressing up in their favourite book character and a performance from the “Reading Bug”. This proved to be successful event with a great response from the schools, parents and carers. ŹŹ “Red Nose day” was held at the Ganmain Hall on the 22 June 2011 with three Storytime sessions performed on the day which proved a great event for young families to enjoy. There were lots of different activities, displays and stalls - the event raised valuable funds for the ‘Red Nose Day” appeal. ŹŹ Waste as Recylced Art Project (WRAP) was held with two local schools being involved. ŹŹ This year Coolamon has enjoyed facilitating two RRL Book Clubs with our members loving the collection of books. ŹŹ Parenting Book Club is proving to be very successful with three clubs formed. Parents involved in the club are finding it very useful and enjoying the materials selected. ŹŹ CWA ladies held computer lessons in the library on Saturday mornings to offer customers free internet and email workshops. ŹŹ ABC “Knit In” mornings were held every Thursday in the months of June and July. The ladies enjoyed morning tea and the company while knitting squares. ŹŹ The “Food for Fines” program was held for the first time with donations being made to the local St Vincent de Paul Society. ŹŹ Storytime is held fortnightly on a Friday with numbers so big another session was developed for Wednesdays to cater for the daycare centre and playgroup sessions. Once a month, Storytime is held for the Ganmain Playgroup.

During one of the Storytime sessions a guest speaker, Kylie Doswell from Playgroup NSW Inc encouraged families to establish a playgroup in Coolamon. This has resulted in the development of a new playgroup for the community.

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

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National Simultaneous Storytime reading sessions were held for the book Feathers for Phoebe written by Rod Clement.

Schools and pre-school children attended for a reading and craft session.

School holiday programs have been amazing, with great numbers in attendance. The ChocoLot! program proved very popular with two sessions held during the day - 60 children attended these sessions. The Louise Blackett Children’s Theatre production of “Beanie and the Bamboozling Machine” was a success with the children really enjoying the entertaining performance. Other school holiday programs included: Go fly a Kite; Travelbugs; Playstation/Wii games and Distractions Circus Workshop.

The Coolamon Shire Youth Officer, in conjunction with the library has developed a council school holiday program to keep the children active, healthy and entertained. Some of the activities included: a fishing trip to Narrandera; a trip to the Handstand Factory; fire safety day with water activities in the park; and pizza making and movies at the Coolamon Shire Swimming Pool. It is hoped that this program will continue to grow and develop.

Book Week was held in August with four schools from Coolamon Shire attending. Students enjoyed a tour of the library, reading sessions, borrowing time and a craft.

Christmas crafts were available leading up to Christmas which proved very popular.

Save Power Kits Program – The demand is very high for the Save Power Kits which have been a success for the Coolamon Library and a benefit for the community.

Promotions ŹŹ All school holiday programs, Storytime sessions and other regular events are advertised in local school newsletters, on Council’s website, in the community diary and in the Council newsletters. The local newspaper representative will often publish the library’s local events and happenings. ŹŹ Upcoming programs are displayed on tables around the library to promote the events such as Storytime sessions, knitting displays and school holiday programs. ŹŹ Before the school holidays commence, local schools visit the library. The students are given the opportunity to borrow and at the same time school holiday activities are promoted. This has proven a successful way to advertise school holiday programs and promote the library.

Partnerships The library has built a wonderful partnership with all schools in the Shire. Over the past four years the partnership has grown from strength to strength, with many school visits to the library.

The partnership has also supported work experience and Duke of Edinburgh students along with study sessions at the library.

Other successful partnerships include:

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Pre-schools in Coolamon, Ganmain and Ardlethan Coolamon Daycare Centre and Coolamon Playgroup Nursing Home – Allawah Lodge Up to Date Store Committee The local newspaper – The Temora Independent Coolamon Men’s Shed Art show held in July

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Coolamon - Collection and Resources Collection ŹŹ All of the collections have grown in size, particularly in the popular areas such as adult fiction, DVDs and children’s books.

A great variety of stock is continually being received from Keith Ainsworth, MDM Entertainment and Southern Scene. ŹŹ Budgets were completed early this year, focusing on areas of high demand. A few changes were made to the magazine collection. ŹŹ New release books are displayed on tables around the library for quick and easy selection – this display assists borrowers to become aware of new stock arriving. ŹŹ Premier’s Reading Challenge books are sorted into boxes providing easy access for parents and children to make their selections. ŹŹ The courier service provided by the Riverina Regional Library is a great service. Deliveries are received in tubs on a weekly basis.

Resources ŹŹ The Coolamon Men’s Shed kindly made a “Lady Bug” children’s book bin. It offers easy access for the children and adds another feature to the library. ŹŹ Coolamon Library received a library development grant of $36,150 which was used to purchase new furniture and a microfiche reader. The microfiche reader will be installed in the near future. ŹŹ The Up to Date Store (adjacent to the library) has continued with upgrades and improvements. The facility now has a built-in kitchen, outdoor stage area, sound system, heating and cooling and public toilet access. Extensions have been completed to the coffee shop (adjacent to the Up to Date Store) with heating and cooling installed also. New artworks are displayed in the Up to Date Store with a further collection in the making.

Coolamon - Training Coolamon Library staff attended the following training in 2010-2011:

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RRL Branch Training Libero System version 6 NSW Database Training – Health Workshop

Coolamon LGA - Summary Report The last financial year was a very successful and productive year for the Coolamon Library. Receiving the Library Development Grant was a great asset for the library in providing new furniture and a microfiche reader. The development of the Council School Holiday Program has been well received with great attendance and support. This program offers a variety of activities for children during the school holidays. Partnerships with local community groups and schools have grown and we trust this will continue - the “Catch a Reading Bug” day held at the Coolamon Central School was a wonderful example of this. This program involved sharing of books, entertainment, dressing up as your favourite book character and lots of fun.

A wide variety of the community uses the library and its facilities, which is demonstrated in the continuous growth of memberships.

The support that is received from the Riverina Regional Library Staff is tremendous and their continued assistance is appreciated. It is wonderful to be involved with such a wonderful team.

Helen McLoughlin Officer-in-Charge Coolamon Library

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Cootamundra Library Cootamundra - Information Services Cootamundra Library provides information services to the residents of the Cootamundra Shire, including the villages of Stockinbingal and Wallenbeen.

Library staff encourage library members to use the OPAC and undertake their own searches for material, as well as reserving material.

Each ANZAC Day in the town a variety of resources are donated to the Military History section of the non fiction collection.

The library has a medium sized local history collection. As new local material of an historical nature becomes available copies are purchased and added to the collection.

Cootamundra - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs ŹŹ Hocus Pocus ŹŹ Knit In sessions ŹŹ Teddy Bear’s Picnic ŹŹ Dino Ruckus ŹŹ REROC Display ŹŹ Cootamundra Library contributed to the Cootamundra Children’s Expo ŹŹ Food for Fines ŹŹ End of year RRL Cootamundra Book Clubs’ party ŹŹ Travelbugs ŹŹ Summer Reading Club ŹŹ Library Lover’s Day ŹŹ Distractions Circus Workshshop ŹŹ Simultaneous Storytime Promotions Activities held in the Cootamundra Library are promoted on the Cootamundra Council website, through the local newspaper and via flyers distributed by the library.

Partnerships The Cootamundra Library is keen to promote partnerships within the Shire and in the Riverina generally.

ABC Knit In Once again the library hosted a very successful series of Knit In days throughout May, June and July 2011. Local resident, Mrs Jenny Cash, coordinated the Knit In sessions and promoted the community activity through the Cootamundra Herald.

During the months of May, June and July keen knitters gathered in the Stephen Ward rooms, adjacent to the library and either knitted squares or joined squares together to form rugs. The total of rugs constructed in 2011 was 113. These rugs are delivered to Sydney before being distributed to devastated areas around the world.

Home Library Service Cootamundra Library provides a home library service to a number of residents of the town. The Home Library service allows residents who are unable to visit the library in person, to read or listen to resources delivered to their homes.

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

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Home library members ring the library requesting new material. Library staff then arrange for the collection of books/audio books and the delivery of new material. The availability of this service is regularly advertised in the local paper.

Book Clubs Three successful book clubs operate in Cootamundra. In December 2010, Library Assistant Lynne Thorburn, hosted a successful end of year book club quiz and party. Invitations were issued to all participants from the three book clubs operating in Cootamundra.

Broadband for Seniors Kiosk Since October 2009, the library has operated a Seniors computer kiosk. The Australian Government has committed $15 million over three years (2008-2011) for the provision of 2,000 internet kiosks to organisations throughout Australia that support seniors and want to host a Broadband for Seniors Kiosk. The project aims to provide seniors with free access to computers, help them gain confidence using computer technology, and to build community participation and social inclusion amongst older Australians. Many local residents of the Shire have been assisted in learning about emailing, searching the internet and how to operate word processor software.

Book Week Children’s Book Week was celebrated in Cootamundra via a parade down the main street of the town. Storytime children, parents and library staff dressed in their favourite costume of a book character or television character and joined the other schools in Cootamundra for the annual Book Week parade.

Cootamundra - Collection and Resources Collection The collection has grown progressively over the last twelve months. Particular attention has been paid to increasing resources in the large print, DVD and audio book collections.

The availability of new resources to the collection is promoted through display of ‘New Titles’ within the library, on the Cootamundra Shire website and through the local newspaper, the Cootamundra Herald.

During Seniors Week in 2011, a display was mounted of a variety of resources available for loan. This display included resources regarding: researching your family history; gentle exercise; managing your money; computing books; and gardening.

Resources During the financial year 2010-11 the library spent more than $25,000 on different resources.

These included subscriptions to national newspapers, local newspapers, a wide range of magazines, adult fiction, junior and youth fiction, and extra funds being expended on audio books, DVDs and large print books.

The arrival of new resources is shown on the Shire Council website as well as being listed in the local newspaper.

At different times during the year displays of material are mounted to highlight significant events or activities. For example, whilst the Knit In sessions were conducted over the colder months, a display of knitting books and knitted items were displayed.

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Cootamundra - Training ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ

Cootamundra’s Officer-in-Charge Allison Aspden attended RRL Training Days at Wagga Wagga and other RRL branch library locations.

Library Assistant Lynne Thorburn attended the Early Literacy workshop held in Wagga Wagga in July, conducted by Dr James Thomas.

All Cootamundra staff attended Libero 6 training in August 2010.

Allison Aspden, Officer-in-Charge, attended a LIAC [Legal Information Access Centre] workshop conducted in Wagga Wagga in October.

Cootamundra LGA - Summary Report Cootamundra is a small rural town located on the edge of the Riverina. Surrounding towns include Temora, Young, Harden and Junee. The Shire population is approximately 7,500.

The Cootamundra Library has continued to grow over the past twelve months. Geographic and Disability Grant money has been used to increase the variety of resources available. New resources include large print books, audio books and a range of children’s and adult DVDs. The library has seen 51,548 people coming through the doors in the past twelve months. Installation of computer software to manage public computer use has freed up library staff to provide better customer service.

The Stephen Ward Meeting rooms, adjacent to the library, have continued to be well used. Many commercial organisations use the rooms, as well as community groups such as service clubs (for example Probus, Apex, Red Cross), hobby organisations (car clubs) and the newly formed Cootamundra branch of the University of the Third Age. Cootamundra Library programs are also conducted in these rooms, including the weekly Storytime sessions and programs offered in the school holidays.

The Cootamundra Library is a core facility in the town. The generous opening hours, the wide array of resources available, together with the varied programs offered, are very much appreciated by the local community.

Allison Aspden Officer-in-Charge Cootamundra Library

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

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Greater Hume Shire Libraries

Culcairn Library Culcairn - Information Services ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ

Large print and sound recordings continue to be borrowed from the State Library of NSW to supplement Culcairn Library’s existing collection.

Services such as photocopying, faxing and printing are offered for a fee to customers of the library.

Six public access computers are provided free of charge for members of the library. A small fee is charged for nonmembers.

Staff continue to provide information to customers on both fiction and non fiction items.

Through acquisitions and donations the Culcairn Library received a number of local history books throughout the year, building on the existing local history collection.

Library staff continue to provide Inter Library Loans for customers wishing to seek items held outside the Riverina Regional Library collection.

Regular updates of the Public Access computers provides an opportunity for members of the library to access information online.

Inter Branch Loans being placed by members using the online reservations system from home have increased this year.

Computers for Seniors was established at the Culcairn Library to provide basic computer training for senior members of the community in need of basic computer instruction.

Culcairn - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs Throughout the 2010-2011, members of the Culcairn community have participated in an ongoing “Knit In” at the Culcairn Library. Completed squares and rugs are sent to the “Wrap with Love” organisation to be distributed to needy people. The “Knit-In” is held every second Tuesday of the month with 5-10 members of the community in attendance.

Storytime is held on the first Friday of each month at the Culcairn Library. Numbers of participants for Storytime have steadily increased throughout the year due to the program now including children in classes K-Yr 1. Current participant numbers are now 20-25 children per month.

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Author John Heffernan visited the Culcairn Library as part of the Greater Hume Shire Yearly Author program. The program promotes early literacy and also provides cultural experiences for participating children. 108 students from both the Culcairn Public School and St Joseph’s Primary School attended the author presentation.

Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book Week was celebrated at the Culcairn Library the week beginning 23 August 2011. Students from Culcairn Public School and St Joseph Primary School visited the library to listen to a selection of nominated Book Week titles and to make a related craft item.

We’re Going to the Zoo Storytime was held as an outreach program at the Culcairn Public School on Wednesday 1 September 2010. K-1 children from Culcairn Public School, St Joseph’s Primary, and the local pre-school attended to enjoy stories and a craft activity presented by RRL’s Children’s and Youth Services Librarian.

Computers for Seniors program began in December 2010 with children from Billabong High volunteering their time to provide computer lessons for seniors within the community.

Food for Fines was held from the 1-17 December 2011.

Numerous non-perishable food items were collected in lieu of fines and delivered to the Culcairn Catholic Church. Items of food were then distributed to needy families within the Greater Hume Shire.

On Monday 17 January 2011, a holiday program Go Fly a Kite was held at the Culcairn Library. The 15 children who attended had a wonderful time making kites and enjoying a range of other activities.

A Travelbugs program was held at the Culcairn Library during January 2011. Thirty five children attended this educational and fun program. Many children had the opportunity of holding a Goliath Praying Mantis.

Library Lovers Day was held at the Culcairn Library on 11 February 2011 with customers enjoying lots of chocolates over the course of the day. Library members were encouraged to take a book on a “blind date” and in doing so went into the draw to win a box of chocolates.

Senior’s Week was celebrated at the Culcairn Library in March 2011 with a display featuring programs and services available at the Culcairn Library.

Time 4 Tiny Tots was held at the Culcairn Library fortnightly on Tuesdays. This program was co-ordinated by Ros Becks, from the InterReach organisation and was established to promote early literacy for children age 0-3 years.

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Promotions ŹŹ Information regarding the Culcairn Library is now available on the Greater Hume Shire webpage culcairn.com.au.

Information regarding upcoming events is updated regularly. The Culcairn Library is also linked to the Riverina Regional Library webpage rrl.nsw.gov.au. ŹŹ Newsletters are published on a monthly basis highlighting programs and services available at the Culcairn Library. ŹŹ Storytime has been promoted in the local paper The Chronicle. ŹŹ Regular articles were placed in the Public Library News Journal featuring programs at the Culcairn Library. ŹŹ Law week was promoted in the Culcairn Library with a display.

Partnerships ŹŹ Billabong High School – Computers for Seniors at the Culcairn Library. Volunteers from Billabong High School visit the Culcairn Library to provide computer lessons for senior members of the community. ŹŹ InterReach organisation – Ros Becks from InterReach presents “Time 4 Tiny Tots” in the Culcairn Library. ŹŹ Culcairn’s St Joseph’s Primary School attends the Culcairn Library on a monthly basis to take part in the monthly Storytime session. Children from the school are given the opportunity to experience the library whilst becoming familiar with the programs, services and collection items available.

Culcairn - Collection and Resources Collection ŹŹ New items are displayed on specific shelving for members easy access. Items are also displayed on face-out shelves for promotion. ŹŹ During the year vendors from Keith Ainsworth and MDM Entertainment visited the Culcairn Library to discuss the procurement of collection items. ŹŹ This year’s budget has once again focused on leisure items such as adult and picture books, DVDs and sounds recordings. ŹŹ Members of the community continue to donate items to the Culcairn Library. Items which are in very good condition are accepted with many others sold at the book sale. ŹŹ Collection items including books, DVDs and CDs were transferred between the Culcairn and Henty Libraries. ŹŹ Culcairn Library collections were weeded during the financial year and items placed in a book sale. Money from the book sale was put towards the purchase of resources for the library. ŹŹ Storytime themes are displayed each month within the Culcairn Library and on the Greater Hume Shire webpage.

Resources ŹŹ With a few milestones being recognised within the Greater Hume Shire during the 2010-2011 period, a number of local history collection items have been published and donated to the Culcairn Library. ŹŹ New magnetic lettering and signage was purchased for the Culcairn Library to assist members in locating collection items within the library. During the year, $500 worth of new DVDs were purchased for the Culcairn Library to add to the existing collection. ŹŹ New member information folders are available at the Culcairn Library. Each folder has information regarding the programs and services available, with folders presented to new members on joining the library. ŹŹ A new display board was purchased to place outside the library to promote programs and services.

Culcairn - Training ŹŹ

The Officer-in-Charge, Susan Kane, attended the IMPACT Library Conference at Albury on the 15-16 July 2010, as well as attending Libero 6 training in Wagga Wagga on 6 August 2011.

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Henty Library Henty - Information Services ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ

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Large print and sound recordings continue to be borrowed from the State Library of NSW to supplement Henty Library’s existing collection of these items.

Services including photocopying, faxing and printing are offered for a fee to customers of the library.

A PlayStation 2 and games are provided for members of the Henty Library for use within the library.

Five public access computers are provided free of charge for members of the library. A small fee is charged for nonmembers.

Staff continue to provide information to customers of the library on both fiction and non fiction items.

Gnooks and Fantastic Fiction have been recognised as important online tools when providing information on authors who may have similar styles of writing and publication dates for new titles.

Throughout the year donations have been made to the library in a range of formats.

Inter Library Loans continue to be requested by customers throughout the year for items not available within the Riverina Regional Library collection.

From acquisitions and donations, Henty Library has received a number of local history books, building on the existing local history collection.

Henty - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs ŹŹ The movie Fantastic Mr Fox was screened at the Henty Library during the July school holidays. 15 children attended and enjoyed the movie plus chips and a drink. ŹŹ Broadband for Seniors was held throughout the 2010-2011 period with over 30 seniors completing the program. In September 2010, the official opening of the Broadband for Seniors Kiosk and presentation of certificates was held at the Henty Library. Twenty seniors attended the opening with morning tea provided at the completion. ŹŹ Community members attended the Henty Library to knit squares and construct rugs for the Wrap With Love program during July 2010. Twenty people attended the day and enjoyed morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea for their efforts. ŹŹ Storytime continues to be held on a fortnightly basis during the school term at the Henty Library. The Henty Pre-school visited on a monthly basis throughout the year to take part in Storytime and to borrow from the library. ŹŹ Author John Heffernan visited the Henty Library in August 2010, as part of the Greater Hume Shire Yearly Author program.

This program promotes early literacy and also provides a cultural experience for children living remotely. Approximately 160 children from the two schools in Henty enjoyed the author visit with John Heffernan describing the process of writing a book and entertaining the students with stories of his life as an author. ŹŹ Book Week was celebrated at the Henty Library from Monday 23 August 2010. A total of 70 students from Henty Public School and St Joseph’s Primary School visited the Henty Library to listen to a selection of nominated Book Week titles and to make a related craft item. ŹŹ The October school holiday program was “Bodyworks”. 15 children attended enjoying numerous games and activities learning about how the body works. ŹŹ Food for Fines was held from the 1 - 17 December 2010. Food items were donated to the Catholic Church to be distributed to needy families in time for Christmas. ŹŹ The movie Marmaduke was screened at the Henty Library on Tuesday 25 January 2011. 15 children attended and enjoyed the movie with a drink and popcorn.

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

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The holiday program Go Fly a Kite was held at the Henty Library in January 2011. Children enjoyed a range of crafts and activities.

Library Lovers Day was held at the Henty Library during February 2011. Customers in the library enjoyed the day with lots of chocolate, including a decadent chocolate fountain. New titles were wrapped and members encouraged to take the books home on a “blind date”. All borrowers on this day went into the draw to win a box of chocolates.

Webpage training was held at the Henty Library during February to assist members of the community in adding information to the newly developed Henty webpage henty.nsw.au/.

During March the Henty Library displayed a photographic exhibition from the “Bidgee from Behind the Lens 2011- photography competition”.

Seniors Week (held during March 2011) was celebrated with a number of lifelong learning programs for seniors. Seniors were provided with the opportunity to undertake two computer classes which included: learning how to use your computer; and instruction in ancestry.com searching - four people attended each session.

The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge is a year long program. The library separates titles into age groups and categories. Members of the community continually borrow from these categories to supplement existing collections at their local schools.

During the April 2011 school holidays the Henty Library’s holiday program was Zumba for Kids. All of the children who attended this program had a wonderful time.

Simultaneous Storytime was celebrated at the Henty Library on Tuesday 24 May 2011 with two class groups from the Henty Public School and Henty Pre-school attending the library. The title Feathers for Phoebe by Rod Clement was read to the students followed by an associated craft theme.

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Library and Information Week was celebrated at the Henty Library throughout May 2011 with a display promoting the programs and services available at the library.

During the month of June 2011, Refugee Week was promoted by the Henty Library. Students from local schools and community members were given a postcard in which they wrote a list of items they would take if they had only five minutes to flee their homes. This was a wonderful initiative with many people recognising how lucky we are to live in Australia, and also how difficult it is to decide what you would take within a limited timeframe. Over fifty postcards were returned to the Henty Library.

Promotions ŹŹ Henty Library now has an online presence on the Greater Hume Shire webpage and the Henty Community webpage. Information regarding upcoming events is updated regularly. The Henty Library is also linked to the Riverina Regional Library webpage. ŹŹ The Henty Library Newsletter is published on a monthly basis and displayed on the front counter and uploaded to the Henty Community webpage. ŹŹ The local paper, The Chronicle, continues to regularly feature information and photographs of programs and services being presented at the Henty Library. ŹŹ Regular articles were published in the NSW Public Library News featuring programs held at the Henty Library. ŹŹ Information regarding upcoming events is submitted for local school newsletters and on notice boards in the main street of Henty. ŹŹ The Henty Library was promoted on the ABC Radio with upcoming programs and services discussed.

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Partnerships ŹŹ The Henty Public School and the Henty Library regularly work together to promote the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge.

The Henty Public School encourages students to borrow from the Henty Library to expand on the reading selection available at the school. ŹŹ The Henty Show Society and the Henty Library worked together during the months of January-February 2011 to promote each organisation’s programs and services. This is a successful partnership which has been running now for two years. ŹŹ The Peter Mac Group work with the Henty Library to promote the Wrap With Love program. ŹŹ The Henty Pre-school visits the Henty Library on a monthly basis for Storytime and at the same time promotes the library through increased membership and borrowing. ŹŹ NEC and the Henty Library partner in the facilitation of the Broadband for Seniors Program.

Henty - Collection and Resources Collection ŹŹ Collection items are regularly transferred between the Henty and Culcairn Libraries. The close proximity of both the Henty and Culcairn Libraries allows members to receive Inter Branch items, normally within a day of placing a reservation. ŹŹ New items are displayed on specific shelving for ease of member access. Items are also displayed using face-out shelving. ŹŹ Two book sales were held during the 2010-2011 period with money raised used to purchase other collection resources. ŹŹ Storytime themes are displayed on a notice board which is positioned outside the Henty Library and updated fortnightly. ŹŹ During the year vendors from Keith Ainsworth and MDM Entertainment visited the library to discuss the usage of the collection. ŹŹ This year’s budget has once again been focused on leisure items such as fiction, DVDs and sounds recordings. ŹŹ Members of the community continue to donate items to the Henty Library. Items which are in very good condition are gratefully accepted.

Resources ŹŹ Libero 6 Library Management System was launched in August 2011. ŹŹ A new monitor was provided for the library computer at Henty. ŹŹ New DVDs were purchased using Special Purpose Funding. ŹŹ Book sales were held on a regular basis at the Henty Library with money from the sale of books used to purchase popular collection items such as DVDs. ŹŹ The addition of music CDs to the collection has proven popular with members of the community. ŹŹ DVDs and fiction books continue to be the main items borrowed from the Henty Library with people accessing resources from the library for leisure use. ŹŹ Use of non fiction items is decreasing as more borrowers gain access to computers and the internet at home for research.

Henty - Training ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ

Officer-in-Charge (Susan Kane) – IMPACT Library Conference, Albury, 15 -16 July 2010 Officer-in-Charge (Susan Kane) - Libero 6 Training 5 August 2010 Henty Library Assistant (Jill Thiele) - Libero 6 Training 5 August 2010 Henty Library Assistant (Jill Thiele) - Webpage Training ongoing Officer-in-Charge (Susan Kane) – Webpage Training March 2011

Greater Hume LGA - Summary Report Over the 2010-2011 year, the Greater Hume Shire Libraries which include Culcairn and Henty, have placed an importance on providing an increased range of programs and services, with the objective being to engage and connect the local community with their local libraries.

The Outreach Services Team from Riverina Regional Library has played a vital role in the establishment, delivery, and promotion of numerous programs to the Culcairn and Henty Libraries, which have been well received by members of the community. Promotion of the libraries has also been undertaken through the placing of informational flyers on notice boards,

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

the Greater Hume Shire webpage, with links to the Henty Community webpage, Culcairn Community webpage, the local newspaper, town newsletters as well as broadcasts on ABC Radio.

Numerous partnerships with local community groups such as the Show Society, Peter Mac, Billabong High School, public schools, and the pre-school, have been formed during the 2010-2011 period. The partnerships have strengthened the Greater Hume Shire Libraries connections with the local communities, and also promoted the libraries as engaging community spaces; not only as the traditional repository of collection items for borrowing.

Broadband for Seniors has maintained its popularity throughout the year at the Henty Library. Library staff were pleased to be able to announce to members of the community that the program would continue past July 2011, due to the federal government’s decision to continue financial support of this program.

The NSW Government’s Volunteer Initiative has meant that a strong partnership has developed between the Culcairn Library and Billabong High School. Students are now visiting the Culcairn Library on a weekly basis to provide computer lessons for seniors, as well as knitting squares for the “Wrap With Love” program.

The continual support and assistance from the Riverina Regional Library staff has been greatly appreciated by all staff at the Greater Hume Shire Libraries. The support from the Outreach Services Team has meant that an increased range of programs and services has been provided to members of the local community. The continual assistance from the Support Services Team has been invaluable and has helped a great deal in the functionality of the Greater Hume Shire Libraries.

Susan Kane Officer-in-Charge Greater Hume Shire Libraries

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Gundagai Library Gundagai - Information Services Gundagai Library provides information services including: Inter Branch Loans, Inter Library Loans and reference/information enquiries upon request. The library is also able to process bulk loan requests from the State Library of NSW on behalf of customers.

Gundagai - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs ŹŹ Book Clubs – Gundagai Library currently has five book clubs this year – one more club than in the previous year. One club meets at the library with the remainder of the groups meeting at varied venues. ŹŹ Family History Group – a local family history group of up to eight people meet the last Friday of each month. ŹŹ Knit-In Group – a group of up to ten people meet at the library on the third Friday morning of each month. ŹŹ WRAP (Waste as Recycled Art Project) REROC – this recycling art event was held in September 2010 with forty seven entries from three participating local schools. The Gundagai Mayor judged the finalists that were then sent to Wagga Wagga. ŹŹ A youth “Study Space” was set up at the end of June – facilitated by the library and supported by local teachers who give of their own time, this initiative has proven successful with up to six local students attending one day a week. ŹŹ Sarah’s Corking Workshop was held on 21 April 2010 with 13 people attending. Feedback from participants was extremely positive – this is a marvellous in-house program developed by Riverina Regional Library staff. ŹŹ Distractions Circus Workshop was held at the Gundagai Library on 15 April 2010. Twenty four youth attended this fantastic school holiday program. Participants enjoyed all the activities with the event assisting Gundagai Youth Council members to prepare for balloon making. ŹŹ Music Fun – this program is held fortnightly on Thursday (alternates with Storytime). Music Fun remains one of the library’s most valuable ongoing programs with an average attendance of 12-14 children. ŹŹ Storytime – this program is held fortnightly on a Thursday (alternates with “Music Fun”) and continues to be a very popular program with around 1214 participants. Thanks to RRL’s Children’s and Youth Services Librarian who continues to provide fantastic and entertaining Storytime packs.

Promotions Over the 2010-2011 year, Gundagai Library staff have actively promoted and marketed programs, collections and special events including: ŹŹ Cyber Safety promotion through the library’s Seniors Week workshops ŹŹ the Learner Drivers Drive and Keys to Drive program; ŹŹ launch of Gundagai Library’s Military Literature section in April to coincide with ANZAC Day; ŹŹ ANZAC display containing local resident Barry Luffs’ never before seen collection of war memorabilia; ŹŹ local Museum and private collection exhibition of Shillelaghs to promote “The Turning Wave Festival”.; ŹŹ end of year Book Club function: Held in December in the library, Book Club members chatted about the year’s books. An announcement was also made to advise of the books for the forthcoming year. The function was a great success with 18 people attending; ŹŹ “Living Books” event held September - Gundagai Library had four ‘books’ and seven ‘readers’ who all agreed that the opportunity was priceless. Our ‘Living Books’ were all cultural, from a single child from Japan, to a survivor who lived through the Polish Revolution; and ŹŹ Gundagai Library Facebook page – updated regularly to include information about upcoming events and programs. The online promotion of library events and collections continues with regular online updates.

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Gundagai - Collection and Resources Collection During the year the library added a military collection with thanks to the Gundagai and District Services Club. The launch was held in May and the local paper and dignitaries were in attendance. The collection features local material but also contains rare and quality war reference items.

Donations for the year have skyrocketed leading to an overflow of paperbacks that will require weeding in the coming year.

Library staff took steps to move the Junior Non Fiction into its own section near the children’s area. The move has precipitated a rise in the usage of this collection and next year a corresponding change in allocation of funds may be necessary.

Resources During 2010-2011, Gundagai Library purchased a newspaper stand; a nine piece children’s train; seating furniture; much needed additional DVD shelving; new signage; and a great notice board/partition for promotion.

The library has also added wheels to two more of the book shelves making them a dream to move around and bringing the total of large movable shelving to five. The Officer-inCharge envisages that eventually the majority of shelving will be movable, enabling the library to have a “facelift” every now and then as needs change.

Gundagai - Training The Officer-in-Charge of Gundagai Library attended a number of interesting and worthwhile training sessions throughout the year including:

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Opening Doors to Early Literacy (July 2010) Libero Version 6 (August 2010) LIAC Training (November 2010) Engaging Young People (November 2010) Practical Conservation Training for Local Studies (November 2010) Kevin Hennah Workshop (April 2011)

Gundagai LGA - Summary Report Gundagai enjoys a varied library customer base, with the biggest growth area over the last twelve months being mothers and children under five. The Mirrabooka building, in which the library is situated is now four years old. This prime location, along with modern facilities continues to bring in new customers. This is likely to increase in a few months with a major retail giant about to have their grand opening only 80 metres from the library’s front door. It is anticipated that the opening of the new supermarket may increase customer uptake with library services.

The change in collection suppliers this year has been good and seems to be working very well. Gundagai Library Staff have been extremely happy with the audio visual and non fiction material that is coming through and find it suits Gundagai’s smaller library to have such flexible suppliers.

Gundagai customers continue to be delighted with the choice of fiction that is available and although issues with series, trilogies, and the like continue, everything else is great and we are confident that these small problems will be worked out in the coming year.

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Gundagai Library looks forward to joining in the e-reader revolution in the near future and are keen to let our customers know that the library is moving forward with them wherever they may go.

This year Gundagai Library staff have spread themselves over many different demographic areas in a bid to be all things to all people which is no small feat when you are a one person operated library. Gundagai Library staff have grabbed every opportunity to improve the customer’s experiences in the library; many of these opportunities have been made possible by the dedicated work of the Riverina Regional Library service of which they are very fortunate to be a part of. Gundagai Library staff have kept an open mind to all possibilities and closed doors to none and as they look forward to 2012 they see a bright future not only for themselves but also for public libraries everywhere as they continue to work together to serve the community to the best of their ability.

Cindy Smith Officer-in-Charge Gundagai Library

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Junee Library Junee - Information Services Having a small and declining collection of non fiction books means that the Junee Library relies frequently on Inter Branch Loans and Inter Library Loans to supply the community with required information. Local History enquiries can be a time consuming activity and the staff at the Junee Library invest as much time as possible in meeting the demands of these customers.

As part of the House Bound Service to the Junee Community, the Junee Library staff visit Lawson House once a month to deliver and swap books. The Junee Library is proud to be able to provide this small service to this group of residents whose lives are positively touched by the library and what it has to offer.

Junee - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs The RRL Book Club service provides a wonderful opportunity for people in the Junee Community to participate in a book club.

Book Clubs have the benefits of increasing a persons’ knowledge, extending their reading, promoting learning and providing an opportunity to establish and maintain friendships. In order to foster this worthwhile activity the Junee Library supports the Page Ones Book Club by providing a meeting venue once a month during closed hours. Library staff volunteer to manage and coordinate the group.

Storytime at the Junee Library is an exuberant and entertaining weekly event that occurs every Tuesday with the exception of school holidays. Supported by RRL Children’s and Youth Services, the Junee Library performs Storytime approximately 40 times a year.

Storytime is an effective way to draw children and their carers into the library community.

Currently there are around 30 children and their carers who regularly visit the library to enjoy Storytime.

School Holiday Activities There has been a fantastic variety of holiday activities provided this year for the Junee community. During the year the Junee Library has focused on providing professional high quality activities in order to attract higher number of participants to Junee Library events.

Holiday activities in the 2010-2011 year have included:

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Bodyworks (14 July 2010) was presented by Junee Library staff and was attended by 13 primary school aged children. The activity pack was provided by RRL Children’s and Youth Services.

Aloha Hawaii (6 October 2010) was presented by Junee Library staff and was attended by 20 children. The activity pack was provided by RRL Children’s and Youth Services.

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Travelbugs (13 Jan 2011). This activity was funded using Local Priority Grant funding and was attended by 33 children.

For Seniors Week the Junee Library also went a bit ‘Hollywood’ showing the 1951 Black and White movie Born Yesterday borrowed from the National Film and Video Lending Service. The shelves in the junior section were wheeled away to make room for the makeshift movie theatre.

Library and Information Week Activities To celebrate Library and Information Week the library conducted two fun competitions.

One competition called ‘What am I?’ attracted a great deal of interest. Many people had absolutely no idea what the mystery item was and were too shy to put in an entry form.

This competition received a terrific amount of attention and is definitely something we intend to do again.

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ChocoLOT! (20 Jan 2011). This activity was facilitated RRL’s Children’s and Youth Services Librarian and attended by 31 children.

“Wii and Pizza Party” (27 Jan 2011). Six children managed to eat 3 pizzas at the “Wii and Pizza Party”. The Wii was on loan from RRL during January and received 38 bookings and 18 hours of playtime.

Holiday puzzles, craft and games (8 – 21 April 2011).

Resources supplied by the Junee Library and RRL Children’s and Youth Services Librarian.

Distractions Circus Workshop (14 April 2011). Juggling and Balloon Twisting was a great success at the library.

Not only did the 18 children who attended have a great time, they also learnt some new skills and burnt off some holiday energy. This activity was funded using Local Priority Grant funding.

The RRL You’ve Got Mail pen pal program gave children in the Junee community a chance to engage with other children across the region in the not-so-long-lost art of letter writing. The program provided all the necessary stationery materials for each child and matched them with appropriate pen pals. Junee Library began distributing kits on 5 July 2010, which coincided with the school holidays, and was successful in attracting 18 children between the ages of 6-14 years to join the program.

Seniors Week Steering away from the traditional Internet Training for Seniors Week, the Junee Library instead conducted ancestry.com training. Providing ancestry.com training gave the library the opportunity to promote the online resources available via the RRL website and at the same time teach interested participants some of the tricks and trials of uncovering family secrets.

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The second competition was offered to the schools in the Junee Shire. Letters were sent to each school inviting one class to participate in a “We Find Stuff” competition. The aim was to get the schools involved in order to reach as many children as we could. The competition involved a list of ten questions; half of which related directly to the Junee Library service. The schools were encouraged to visit the Junee Shire Council website to find the answers or to visit the library.

National Simultaneous Storytime National Simultaneous Storytime, on 25 May 2011, took place during Library and Information Week. Two classes from the Junee Public School came and enjoyed a performance of the story Feathers for Phoebe (written by Rod Clement) presented

by Linda Dyer and Kim Richards. The story was followed by a game and craft activity. The children had a great time listening to Linda tell this wonderful story while Kim Richards dressed up as the transforming “Phoebe”.

In lieu of running the traditional Summer Reading Club, Junee Library shifted away from other RRL Libraries and developed a ‘Winter Reading Club’. Nearly 50 kits were handed out on the first day of the program. The kits included a holiday activity book, notepad, pencil, some yummy treats and reading records. The kit also contained a ‘knitting nanny’ made by the Junee Men’s Shed. Local Priority Grant Money allocated for 2010-2011 was used to fund this program. The program proved to be considerably more successful than previous summer reading programs.

The library continues to welcome the local schools to the library for Storytime visits. The Junee Library provides primary schools with a story and simple craft activities. The Junee Public School visited the library three times over the year during September, November and December 2010.

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Promotions In July 2010, the Junee Library joined other RRL Branch Libraries in exhibiting two pairs of jeans as part of the Jean Genies Program developed by Gosford City Library. Six pairs of jeans circulated across 22 public libraries. As part of the program the Junee Library joined other RRL Branches in a competition to design a patch which would be used to decorate next year’s “travelling jeans”. Junee Library circulated 14 patches and had several stunning entries.

Junee - Collections and Resources

The 2010 Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea took place on Thursday 26 May 2011. This year the event raised $480.00. An estimated 60 people were served morning tea and thanks go to everyone who donated money and or food.

The Junee Library purchased $1,000 worth of new large print books using Local Priority Grant funding in 2010-2011. The library was able to purchase around 40 quality books which were all quickly snapped up and borrowed.

The theme for Children’s Book Council Book Week 2010 (2127 August) ‘Across the Story Bridge’ provided a great deal of scope for creativity. To celebrate, the library borrowed some mannequins and dressed them as Peter Pan and Captain Hook. The display generated a lot of interest about Book Week and helped to promote Junee Library Children’s Book Week competition - a copy of Isabella’s Garden by Glenda Millard provided by RRL’s Children’s and Youth Services.

Resources In July 2010, the library received an extension to the loans desk. The extension of the existing loans desk area has been a massive improvement. The extension has provided the necessary space needed to service customers and to process incoming and outgoing books and materials.

To thank and celebrate some of the wonderful library patrons who visit the library regularly, Junee hosted a special Christmas luncheon on 4 December 2010. The ‘family’ of patrons who visit the library regularly and provide the staff with unwavering support and encouragement were asked to come along and enjoy a lunch catered entirely by the staff.

Partnerships The ABC Wrap With Love knitting campaign continues to grow in Junee with a grand total of 855 squares collected.

The library hosted two Friday morning “Knit Ins” during June with the completed squares and rugs displayed on the rim of the front window which looked spectacular. Interest in the campaign developed from mid-May and peaked towards the end of June with a great number of bags of squares being dropped into the library on a daily basis.

Collection The Junee Library continues to purchase library materials based on the rate of borrowing. Collections with the highest rates of borrowing are adult fiction followed by non fiction, DVDs and picture books. Approximately $6,000 dollars was spent on adult fiction books which represents around one third of the entire budget.

Since moving to the new library premises in 2009, there has been no door counter. It was with great excitement that a door counter was finally installed in the existing RFID gates in April 2011.

In 2011, the Junee Library purchased eight black leather chairs which complement and contrast nicely with the existing red, white and black colour scheme. The chairs were purchased using Local Priority Grant Funding and they have added a sophisticated finishing touch to the decor of the library. Along with these other changes the library replaced two computers with new public use PCs, again using Local Priority Grant Funding.

Junee - Training ŹŹ ŹŹ

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Library Assistant Linda Dyer travelled to Sydney to experience Making Connections training at the State Library of NSW in July 2010.

The Officer-in-Charge, Kim Richards and Library Assistant Linda Dyer both attended Libero 6 computer training in Wagga in July 2010 presented by RRL Information Technology Staff.

Kim Richards, Junee’s Officer-in-Charge was pleased to be invited to attend Libero User Group training held in September 2010, which she found to be a tremendously valuable experience.

Library Assistant Margaret Kanaley was able to attend Local History Conservation training provided in Wagga during November 2010.

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Junee LGA - Summary Report On the 1 July 2010, the Junee Library was officially opened by the Hon. Virginia Judge. The opening took place at 11.00am followed by a reception at the Junee Railway Cafe. It was wonderful and exciting to see so many people from around the region in attendance and some old familiar faces as well.

Having over 3,000 people each month visit the Junee Library has substantiated the essential need and popularity that the community has for the Junee Library service. The increased use of the internet has been dramatic and comes often from sectors of the community who cannot afford to purchase their own computer and/or afford internet access. It is noted that in the new location, there are also many more tourists using the library. These visitors are also often seeking internet access and information about the community.

The Junee Library has blossomed in many ways over the last 12 months. All the programs that have been offered have been embraced by the community with a great many more people attending events and functions. Community members have become more familiar with the new facility. Having the larger space has meant that the programs and activities offered are able to be undertaken in bigger and better than ever spaces.

Kim Richards Officer-in-Charge Junee Library

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Lockhart Shire, Coolamon Shire, Greater Hume Shire and Wagga Wagga City

RRL Mobile Library Mobile Library - Information Services There are two public access computers on the Mobile Library for members of the public to use. Assistance is provided to people unsure of using the internet.

Mobile Library - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs The Mobile Library has participated in a number of programs organised and offered by Riverina Regional Library, including Hear the Words, Parenting Book Club, Book Week and Save Power Kits.

Promotions The Mobile Library is utilised to promote events, services and programs relevant to the 28 rural and remote service point populations. Some of the material that has been promoted during the 2010-2011 year includes:

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Andrology Australia’s posters and flyers promoting men’s health ABC Knit In Law Week material Library Week material Refugee Week material Lockhart Storytime promotional material Lockhart Shire Council “What Women Want” promotional material Riverina Regional Library (RRL) book marks promoting the website RRL’s School Holiday promotional material

The Mobile Library made 775 visits and travelled an amazing

36,025 km in 2010-2011...

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Mobile Library - Collection and Resources Collection There was a good influx of collection material for the Mobile Library this year and this has allowed significant deselecting to take place. As more and more books have the new spine label, the better the shelves look.

There have been a few minor changes to shelving and placement of some of the more specialised items on the truck. The separation of the biography section has been very well received and the separate junior non fiction has lifted the borrowings of that section. There have been many positive comments about the variety of the DVD collection for our non reading borrowers.

Resources During the year, it was announced that the RRL were successful in an application for Library Development Grants for the replacement of the Mobile Library which is due to be commissioned during 2012.

Mobile Library - Training The Mobile Library Operator attended the following training:

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Mobile Library Muster - July 2010 Covey 7 Fundamentals - August 2010 Time Management - November 2010

Mobile Library - Summary Report The Riverina Regional Mobile Library is set up in a purpose built semitrailer. This allows the library to access its customers instead of the customers accessing the library. The truck travels through a vast area of the Riverina region, from Ardlethan to Walla Walla and Lockhart to Humula. The library, which visits 28 communities from the shires of Coolamon, Greater Hume, Lockhart and Wagga Wagga City, not only provides a valuable library service, but also provides a link to services and information for smaller communities from their larger counterparts.

Some interesting statistics for the year include:

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The Mobile Library made 775 visits to service points in its four member Council areas during 2010-2011 The Mobile Library travelled 36,025 km in 2010-2011

The Riverina Regional Mobile Library continues to be a valuable resource for the region’s communities.

Robert Chapman Mobile Library Operator Riverina Regional Library

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Temora Shire Libraries

Ariah Park Library Ariah Park - Information Services ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ

The Temora Librarian visits monthly with transferred and new material Technical and professional support is provided by the Temora Librarian Free internet access is provided

Ariah Park - Collection and Resources ŹŹ ŹŹ

The Ariah Park collection is maintained by the Temora Branch Librarian DVDs and CDs are increasingly popular

Temora Library Temora - Information Services Temora Shire Libraries provide a range of services to the community including:

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Housebound reader services Public library/TAFE remote resourcing agreement School class visits and tours Bulk loans from State Library of NSW Inter Library Loans Free internet access Separate family history/local history room with internet access Microfilmed newspapers Microfilm reader/printer

Temora - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs ŹŹ Four Knit In programs were held during the year to support the ABC’s “Wrap With Love” project – the programs were attended by 36 people. The library is a collection point for the “Wrap With Love” project ŹŹ WRAP (Waste as Recycled Art Project) display of entries ŹŹ Jamboree of the Air, attended by 16 Girl Guides ŹŹ National Simultaneous Storytime ŹŹ Children’s Storytime and holiday activities ŹŹ Local Government Week display ŹŹ Food for Fines Promotions ŹŹ Temora Family Expo of services available for children ŹŹ Visits by Men’s Group ŹŹ Class visits and tours for schools and TAFE

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Partnerships Services are provided for the local TAFE campus, which has no library on site. This service is facilitated through the Remote Resourcing agreement.

Temora - Collection and Resources Collection ŹŹ Visits from vendors of book and alternate resource material occurred during the year ŹŹ Update of branch profiling for selection occurred during the year ŹŹ New display spinners for expanding DVD collection ŹŹ Proposal for library use of former Visitor Information Centre as part of library building sent to Council for approval ŹŹ Collection deselection continues Resources ŹŹ DVD and CD books collections continue to be in high demand ŹŹ Two book sales were held during the year ŹŹ New supplies of fiction material continue to be of high quality ŹŹ Supply of non fiction material is gradually improving ŹŹ DVD selections by the vendor have proved to be popular

Temora - Training Staff from Temora Library attended the following training during 2010-2011:

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Libero 6 – Library Management System Bullying and harassment training Kevin Hennah Workshop - rethink. reinvent. rejuvenate.

Temora LGA - Summary Report Temora Library has provided library services to the students and teachers from the local TAFE campus since 1995. These services are provided by Inter Library Loans from the TAFE NSW Library Network through the Remote Resourcing Agreement between TAFE Riverina Campus and Temora Library. The service has been operating successfully for 16 years. In addition, TAFE provides some resources to the library for inclusion in the RRL catalogue; these resources support courses offered at the local campus.

The housebound reader service continues to be well used; generally materials are collected by friends or family of the housebound borrower, but library staff will deliver if no other means of obtaining material is available.

Over the year, school and TAFE class visits and tours have been conducted. A special open day for the local garden club was held to learn about resources available to them at the library.

The local Bridge Club meets in the library weekly to play Bridge and teach beginners the finer points of the game.

The library provides free internet access which was used by over 7,000 patrons during the year.

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Programs held during the year included four “Knit Ins” attended by over 30 people, with over 70 completed rugs collected by the Rotary Club for the ABC’s “Wrap With Love” project.

“Jamboree of the Air” provided entertainment and much excitement for 15 Girl Guides.

The library was once again the venue for the display of the WRAP (Waste as Recycled Art Project). There were twenty three projects produced by Year 4 students from Temora West Central School. Library and Council staff judged the competition for projects to go on to the regional judging.

Weekly children’s Storytime and craft activities were attended by 687 children and their carers during the year. School Holiday activities, including Aloha Hawaii ,Travelbugs, ChocoLot! and Distractions Circus Workshop attracted 81 children and their carers.

A display for Refugee Week attracted much attention, with the question posed “What would you take if you had five minutes to flee?” Many people confronted the question and filled in postcards.

Save Power Kits proved a popular resource in these times of increased costs of electricity provision.

Technical and professional support is provided to the Ariah Park branch by the Temora Officer-in-Charge, who visits monthly with new and transferred material. The DVD collection is very popular as it is the only DVD provision in the village.

Once again professional support from staff from Riverina Regional Library has been outstanding. The team provides assistance on a daily basis with patience and diligence.

Eileen England Officer-in-Charge Temora Shire Libraries

WHAT IF YOU ONLY HAD FIVE MINUTES TO FLEE YOUR HOME?

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Tumut Shire Libraries

Adelong Library Adelong - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs ŹŹ During Seniors Week – Five Seniors attended the ‘Seniors Computer Class’. ŹŹ RRL’s Children’s and Youth Services Librarian with special guest presenter from Playgroup NSW presented Storytime. Twenty one children and eleven adults attended – this program was well received and enjoyed by all in attendance. The children were from the Adelong Pre-School and Scribbly Gum Early Learning Centre.

Promotions Adelong Branch participated in a ‘Library Lovers’ Competition.

Flyers and promotional material for Library Lovers Day and Seniors Computers Classes were distributed/displayed in businesses within the town and the daycare building.

Storytime program flyers and posters were distributed to both the pre-school and Scribbly Gum Early Learning Centre in addition to being placed on notice boards within the Community Health Building.

Books were delivered on a regular basis to one housebound borrower in Adelong during the year.

Partnerships Children from the Adelong Pre-School Centre visited during the year.

Adelong - Collection and Resources Collection New fiction and large print items have been well received by patrons. Transfers of biographies, adult fiction and large print items were carried out during the year with branches in the region.

Resources Discretionary funds were used to purchase Junior Fiction, Adult Fiction and non fiction items.

Roslyn Molineaux Library Assistant Adelong Library

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Batlow Library Batlow - Information Services Batlow Library, which is the Centrelink access point within the town, also provides Tumut Shire Council services, including rate collections and hall bookings. There are three public access computers available for use within the library.

Batlow - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs During the year, the Batlow Library participated and facilitated the following library-based programs: ŹŹ Jean Genies ŹŹ Computer Basics for Seniors Week ŹŹ Monthly Storytime ŹŹ Shivers School Holiday activity - 35 children participating ŹŹ Aloha Hawaii School Holiday activity - 8 children participating Promotions Batlow Library promoted Library Lovers Day during February.

Partnerships ŹŹ International Women’s Day ABC webinar ŹŹ Batlow Youth Group meetings

Batlow - Collection and Resources Collection During the year, Batlow Library received a boost to the large print collection via the Library Development Grant funding received by Tumut Shire Council.

During the year, a review of the non fiction collection was undertaken with a large section removed from the collection due to age, condition and content.

Batlow - Training Melinda Annetts, the Officer-in-Charge of Batlow Library, attended both Libero 6 training and a Library Team Strategic Planning Workshop during the 2010-2011 year.

Melinda Annetts Library Assistant Batlow Library

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Talbingo Library Talbingo - Information Services Talbingo Library provides two public internet access computers. These are used on a regular basis by the community, mostly for research and job hunting, and during the holidays by the visiting public.

Talbingo - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs Kids Book Club ran from February – December 2010 with nine members aged 6-10 years. The club is a themed club in order to provide age-appropriate reading material – e.g. Unusual Pets, Friendship, Women, ANZAC Day. This was an initiative of the previous Officer-in-Charge of Talbingo.

Other programs and events for the year included: ŹŹ Talbingo Library hosts the Monthly Morning Tea - launched in March 2011 ŹŹ Seniors Week – Basic computer training ŹŹ ANZAC Day display ŹŹ Library Events: MS Readathon (April 2010) Promotions ŹŹ “The Library News” is a monthly feature in the Talbingo Community News Sheet ŹŹ Tuesday’s edition of the Tumut & Adelong Times and Daily Telegraph newspapers are available for members to read ŹŹ Tea and coffee is available for members every week ŹŹ Author of the month or a theme of the month was launched in May with Clive Cussler being our first author; June was Margaret Fulton with the theme of Comfort Food – Winter Cooking Partnerships The Talbingo School Principal actively supports the library. The library currently has 13 children attend every Tuesday afternoon for borrowing and reading books. Ongoing discussions are being held with the school principal regarding other exciting projects that can be worked on together.

In October 2009, Rochelle Nicholls (Library Assistant) won a national essay competition held by Penguin Books Australia to promote the release of Bryce Courtenay’s novel The Story of Danny Dunn. Rochelle’s entry, titled “The Resilience of Talbingo”, was selected by Mr. Courtenay as one of six winning entries. As a result of Rochelle’s essay, Mr. Courtenay generously donated a large number of new books to the library. Mr Courtenay was to host a fund-raising dinner for the town in November 2010 but due to ill health this was cancelled.

Talbingo - Collection and Resources Collection In consultation with the Talbingo School Principal, the school library section and the adult fiction areas have been returned to a traditional library layout - shelved in alphabetical order by author. This decision was made to provide experiences for the school children in locating books in a traditional library environment.

The library continues to be spoilt by its patrons with generous donations of quality books for inclusion in the library collection.

Through the generous donations the library now has the complete popular series by Stieg Larsson: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; The Girl who Played with Fire; and The Girl who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Resources The library holds an ongoing book sale of material culled from the collection or donated material that cannot be catalogued for reasons of age condition, or replication. All material is sold for 50 cents per item with proceeds from this year’s book sales raising$150.00.

Shirlee Straatsma Library Assistant Talbingo Library

Tumut Library Tumut - Information Services Housebound services are provided to a number of residents as well as the local Bupa Nursing Home. The service continues to expand within the nursing home as individual residents have the service tailored to their needs.

Inter Library Loans continues to expand with a wide diversity of requests received, including calls for sheet music for HSC music students.

Tumut - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs Jacqui Love’s Travelbugs once again provided a fun ‘hands-on’ experience educating children about the benefits and wonders of invertebrates or ‘mini-beasts’ within our environment.

Computer Basics for Seniors Week - Tumut Council’s IT Officer Michael Edwards ran an information and skills session for seniors. This was tailored to the individual needs of each participant and ranged from how to set up an email account to online shopping. Regardless of their original ability, all participants finished the session with new skills and increased confidence.

Distractions Circus Workshop (School Holiday Activity April 2011) - Children were taught the art of balloon twisting with some fantastic results as they made their own balloon animals. The workshop concluded with face painting; many children painting their faces to match the balloon animal they had created.

Sarah’s Corking Creations (School Holiday Activity April) – The library hosted Sarah’s Corking Creations during the April school holidays. Participants learnt how to make their own creations from French Knitting; the day included many other fun activities.

Promotions Tumut Library hosted the Jean Genies Travelling Pants exhibition.

The winner of the RRL design competition was Georgia Rusconi from Tumut. Her winning design featured on a pair of jeans which formed part of a state-wide travelling exhibition.

Art @ The Library - The foyer of the Tumut Library has been transformed into a gallery showcasing the talents of local artists.

As part of the new initiative, local artists are being offered the foyer space to showcase their work.

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Australian author and illustrator David Miller visited the Tumut Library bringing some of his models with him to display. David builds models from paper then photographs them for the vivid illustrations in his books. David also brought along some of his templates and taught the children how to make sculptures by simply cutting and folding paper.

May 23-29 was National Library and Information Week. Tumut Library marked the occasion by displaying books from all around the Riverina that focused on libraries, reading, writing and information technology.

During Reconciliation Week Tumut Library hosted the photographic exhibition ‘Sistaz Ownin’ It’. The photos recorded the end results of a day of pampering and high fashion for local Aboriginal girls. The girls had their hair and make up done and were ‘dressed to the nines’. The exhibition received a lot of attention in the local area with many people visiting the library to view it.

Also during Reconciliation Week, local Aboriginal representatives from the National Parks and Wildlife Service hosted a special Storytime at the library. The National Parks representatives played the didgeridoo and told Dreamtime stories of the Wiradjuri People. The morning was concluded with the children learning to do dot paintings of Australian native animals.

Partnerships International Women’s Day - To celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day Tumut Library held a high-tech webinar convened via ABC radio. The aim of the webinar was to demonstrate the numerous ways women can network with and support each other. Together with the live interactive webinar the library also hosted morning tea.

Tumut - Collection and Resources Collection Purchases from the 2009-2010 Library Development Grant for large print and audio book titles were finalised. The injection of $15,000 into these collections reinvigorated the stock and provided patrons with a diverse array of reading material.

The Reference Collection continues to be reviewed and scaled back. In reviewing the collection it was found that a majority of the items received little use within reference and were better suited as part of the general non fiction collection.

Resources The Tumut Library was able to purchase a ScanPro 2000 microfilm reader for the library’s Local/Family History section.

This purchase now completes the upgrade of technology for the section which includes the ScanPro 2000 reader, two Dell computers with internet access and a laser printer.

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Tumut - Training Staff from Tumut Library participated in a number of training courses during 2010-2011: ŹŹ Kristin Twomey – Certificate IV Frontline Management ŹŹ Kristin Twomey – Libero 6 training ŹŹ Kristin Twomey – Library Team Strategic Planning Workshop ŹŹ Kristin Twomey – 2010 Public Library NSW Conference ŹŹ Rhonda Twomey – Libero 6 training ŹŹ Rhonda Twomey - Kevin Hennah Workshop ŹŹ Rhonda Twomey – Library Team Strategic Planning Workshop ŹŹ Leanne Ballard - Libero 6 training ŹŹ Leanne Ballard - Library Team Strategic Planning Workshop ŹŹ Kari McRae - NSW State Library Making Connections

Tumut LGA - Summary Report Tumut Shire Council provides library services in the townships of Tumut, Adelong, Batlow and Talbingo. These libraries act as community meeting places providing a diverse range of library, Council and community services.

The Tumut Shire Library Team underwent a number of staffing changes over this 12 month period. Officer-in-Charge, Kristin Twomey, commenced maternity leave in early January for nine months. Tumut Library Assistants Rhonda Twomey and Leanne Ballard job-shared the Library Team Leader position during this period, both doing an excellent job. Kari McRae was appointed to the position of Tumut Library Assistant for the maternity leave period. Kari has been an enthusiastic member of the Library Team and will be missed when her tenure finishes.

Rochelle Nicholls resigned from the position of Talbingo Library Assistant in December 2010 to pursue her interest in journalism. The Talbingo Library Assistant position was advertised in early January with the successful candidate, Shirlee Straatsma commencing February 2011.

Batlow Library Assistant Melinda Annetts resigned from her position in February 2010. During the March – June period the library was staffed by a roster of casual assistants whilst Tumut Shire Council undertook a review of the Batlow Library service.

Council voted in favour of retaining the Batlow Library as a 35 hour per week position. Tumut Shire will welcome Robert Beegling to the position of Batlow Library Assistant in July 2011.

The Shire continues to embrace technology with a progression towards electronic collections. The Tumut Library is embarking on a transition towards electronic storage for local history material that is not suitable for use within the general collection.

Whilst the digitisation of material is a time consuming process the benefits to the community through increased access to material is beneficial to the Local/Family History collections.

Rhonda Twomey was able to attend the Kevin Hennah Workshop in April. The workshop provided a number of fantastic ideas on developing and displaying library collections and layouts. The ideas from the workshop will provide the basis for a review of all four libraries throughout the Shire. The aim of the review is to ensure that our libraries are providing welcoming spaces with ease of access for our customers.

Kristin Twomey Officer-in-Charge Tumut Shire Libraries

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Wagga Wagga City Library Wagga Wagga City - Information Services Front desk staff addressed a wide variety of enquiries and assisted with computer issues from an average number of 700 people per day. The high quality customer service was confirmed by our recent customer satisfaction survey where, overwhelmingly, our staff were noted as the best feature of the library!

Access to information occurs over a variety of mediums including the revamped library website which provides online access to a range of online databases and information regarding events and programs. The library has also embraced new social networking technologies such as Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and Wikis, all of which encourage community engagement with the library. Apart from the general lending collection, the library provided access to Wagga Wagga City Library Local Studies collection, Inter Branch Loans, Inter Library Loans, nursing home deliveries, housebound services and provision of a foreign language material service via the State Library of NSW. The 2011 Community Directory was completed and the online directory given a fresh new look.

The successful implementation of the free wi-fi service brought a new section of the community into the library such as university students and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) groups.

Library members with a print disability seized the opportunity to borrow a “Daisy” player to listen to the latest books on CD.

Wagga Wagga City - Programs, Promotions and Partnerships Programs School holiday programs ŹŹ Big Book Screen Scene - 174 children and carers came to the library to watch three movies – Pinocchio, The Silver Brumby and Storm Boy on the 12, 14 and 17 of July 2010 ŹŹ Travelbugs – 29 children attended on the 5 of August 2010 and a further 32 attended on the 12 of January, 2011 ŹŹ ChocoLot! - School holiday programs at the library are always popular but when you include chocolate everyone wants to attend. In the April school holidays 120 primary school children came to the library to learn chocolate trivia, tie jelly snakes into knots with their tongues, fish marbles out of jelly with their feet, dip fruit into the chocolate fountain and play lots of sweet games. Three sessions were held on the 19 and 20 of April 2011 Summer Reading Club Summer Reading Clubs were offered to all age groups with “Scare up a Good Book” for children, Zombie Reading Club, Great Minds Taste Alike for youth; and, Relaxing Summer Reads for adults with great prizes provided through community business partnerships.

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Baby Bounce ŹŹ September 2010 with up to 19 babies and their carers at each of the four sessions. ŹŹ March 2011 with up to 16 babies and their carers at each of the four sessions. ŹŹ June 2011 with up to 17 babies and their carers at each of the four sessions.

Storytime An amazing 7,650 children and their carers attended Storytime sessions throughout the year. On the 24 May Wagga Wagga City Library held two outreach Storytimes at the Wiradjuri and Ashmont childcare centres for 50 children.

Youth Programs During Science Week the library hosted two fascinating science programs: “Dear Diary Today I rearranged the Universe” and “The Science of Dance”. Two sessions were held for each program on the 20 August and were attended by 142 high school children.

Accessible learning was offered by the library during the re:generate Youth Festival which is a Wagga Wagga City Council initiative for youth aged 12-25. The festival is held for eight days in the April School holidays each year, with activities at many different venues. Local youth participated in four library events: a Laser Skirmish; a Manga drawing workshop; a Henna workshop; and a Distractions Circus Workshop. Youth don’t always like to engage with their library so it was absolutely brilliant to have them besotted with the library for a whole week! There was plenty of positive feedback with some of the elusive teens seen in the library since, so the proof is in the pudding! The revamped youth area complete with Xbox and new décor has been one of the busiest sections of the library this year.

School tours 546 school children were given a tour of the library throughout the year.

Adult Programs Building social inclusiveness is a major driver in the library; this is evidenced by the 350 individuals who are members of RRL Book Clubs. At 30 June there were 35 Book Clubs operating from the Wagga Wagga City Library. The annual book club catch-up, called the Members’ Lounge, was an evening of drinks and nibbles which provided all participants the opportunity to select new titles for the coming year and provide feedback on what book club titles they loved, or didn’t, throughout the year. It was interesting to note that the same titles appeared on both lists which demonstrated that the books were great discussion starters.

Performance opportunities for local poets and rappers were made possible when the library took poetry to the pub. Poetry SLAM Regional Finals were held at The Home Tavern instead of the library with the new venue attracting a bigger audience and more participants. There were 17 entrants and an audience of 60, which was a brilliant turn out and provided for great audience participation. The new relaxed location proved to be a win/win for everyone and Poetry Slam at the Pub will be the venue for the coming year. The Friends of the Wagga Wagga City Library are the sole sponsors for this event and their financial support covers the presenter’s travel and accommodation expenses, as well as supporting the two winners to compete in Sydney at the Poetry SLAM State Finals. This financial assistance has enabled the library to participate in this event for the five years since its inception.

Helping our community to lower their power bills and raising awareness has been an ongoing goal with new books, community events and the extension of the Save Power Energy Kits program. In February, the Save Power Energy Kits, which were piloted at Wagga Wagga City Library from 2009, were adopted by the State Government as a transferable model for all public libraries in NSW. The additional kits proved to be very popular and a range of energy saving workshops were presented by a representative from the EWON (the Ombudsman for Energy, Water of NSW) and Wagga Wagga City Council staff. The kits are now available through the 14 libraries and 9 LGAs that make up Riverina Regional Library.

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Faces in the Street made Wagga Wagga History accessible to 60 walkers who participated in the 2010 History Week event at the library. This was a library walking tour of Wagga Wagga’s historic buildings with participants hearing about the buildings, businesses and people from years gone by. The walking tour is available on the local history wiki so that people can print a copy of the trail and follow the walk themselves whenever they like. The local history wiki (waggalocalhistory.wetpaint.com) was the product of an earlier History Week and currently gets an average of 54 visits per day. It is great to be able to celebrate local history once a year with a History Week event but it is especially good to be able to contribute to the growth of local history information in and for the community all year round.

Seniors Week – in March 2011 staff instructed 24 seniors in basic internet skills and gave 12 more seniors tips and tricks for finding fabulous books.

Community Displays With over 700 people coming into the library each day it is an ideal place for local community groups to promote their activities in the library corridor boxes and internal display areas. In the last year there were 20 separate displays from groups including: The Murrumbidgee Catchment Authority; School of Art Community Theatre; CWA Oura Branch; The Trefoil Guild; The Wagga Wagga Bonsai Group; and the Potters’ Club Inc. The New Settlers Research Project from Charles Sturt University (CSU) was ongoing throughout the year with the library taking a lead role in chairing the Settlers Committee. CSU lecturers conducted interviews with library staff, service providers and community members from a refugee background to identify the information needs of new settlers and to develop a strategy using visual literacy and social networking tools to meet those needs. The library’s role in the next stage of this project will involve creating a model that can be used by other public libraries throughout Australia.

Library Lovers Day was celebrated on 14 February in a way that allowed clients and visitors to celebrate with library staff. There were free bookmarks and heart shaped chocolates and the library also conducted a quick and easy survey asking people what they love about the library with a big box of chocolates and a book voucher as prizes. This is what they said: What I love about my library is…..

“A relaxing place to be to do all my favourite things – read, computers” “Sweet staff” “Nothing is too much trouble for your great and friendly staff” “This is my second home” “I love the wonderful customer service, friendly smiles and the wonderful variety of BBC DVDs” “Best library ever!”

Promotions Wagga Wagga City Library staff continued to promote library services and programs to the community through: the library website; a fortnightly promotional page in the Weekend Advertiser; advertising in The Leader; monthly spots on 2AAA community radio; as well as through Facebook and Twitter. The Facebook page was particularly beneficial to the community when the library was closed for refurbishment for two weeks as part of our flood recovery. Staff were able to keep the community informed about the changes as they happened and generate real excitement about the library.

An average of three articles were submitted for each edition of the Public Library News over the last year. The submitted articles showcased the wide range of programs and active partnerships. Library staff gave presentations to three Probus meetings about library services and what the library has to offer.

Partnerships Authors Aloud Events in partnership with Booranga Writers Centre from Charles Sturt University resulted in a number of entertaining evenings at Wagga Wagga City Library. Authors presenting this year included: Lauren Williams; Steven Amsterdam; Lionel Fogarty; and Ali Cobby Eckerman. In addition, there were 50 guests at the annual FourW Launch with a number or writers performing their work.

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Wagga Wagga City Library partnerships for 2010-2011 included:

ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ ŹŹ

Summer Reading Clubs involved partnerships with Dale Allison from Allans Music & Billy Hyde and the Civic Theatre.

ABC Riverina Legal Aid Wagga Wagga Wagga and District Historical Society Charles Sturt University CWA (Country Womens Association of Australia) CLSD (Cooperative Legal Service Delivery Program) Riverina Teacher Librarians Riverina Community College Centacare The Multicultural Council Local primary schools The State Library of NSW Community groups

Wagga Wagga City - Collection and Resources Collection Wagga Wagga City Library was successful in a Library Development Grant to create a “Community Links Library” for residents in aged care facilities or elderly people still living in their own homes. This new service will promote an active and engaged community and is tailored to meet the needs of older residents.

“Quick Picks” was a new service that the library created for a niche client group – time poor customers wanting fast access to high quality reading materials selected by professional staff. There were 150 books, or 30 bright purple bags, in the “Quick Picks” collection and the fact that there were more than 25 bags out on loan at any given time attests to its popularity. The “Quick Picks” captured a sense off fun in that customers really enjoyed the surprise element of a bag of high quality books.

Staff recognised that ‘time poor people’ cannot always stay long enough to choose great books; this initiative excelled in creating “time saved” for the customer. This value added service proved to be very popular and the feedback comments were a testament to the success of this new approach. Some comments from our Quick Picks member feedback forms:

“I thought they were good, can’t think of an improvement.”

“Very good. Three out of five books were good.”

The Children’s picture books were re-organised to reflect the needs of young readers. Access to favourite books was improved when staff reviewed the entire picture book collection and reallocated the books according to their Subject Heading to assist the youngest pre-literate readers. The new headings have coloured dots to indicate what category they belong to. The “Transport” or “Books on Trucks” box has proved to be very popular and was almost empty by the last Storytime session in the first week. These changes have helped to highlight the strengths and weaknesses in the collection. It is no wonder that in US libraries this small change to the ‘picture books’ increased their circulation by 400%.

The vendors supplied a good range of high quality books, DVDs, music CDs, magazines and audio books. Customers and staff were very pleased with the regularity of deliveries and the quality of the stock. The RRL Collections Team provided an invaluable service in fast turnaround times for local and discretionary purchases. This resulted in a service delivery model that was both responsive and relevant to the local community and its value cannot be overstated.

Resources The flood on 2 December 2010 presented both a challenge and an opportunity as water inundated the lower level of the library when a storm cell hovered over Wagga Wagga. The challenge was how to avoid mould damage after the water receded. This was addressed by removing the broadloom carpet from under the shelves, built in cupboards and under the “Stack”. The opportunity then was how to revamp the Youth Area, the Children’s Area and to install a new staff desk. This was all achieved as well as new water proof carpet tiles being laid on both library levels. A number of new chairs and two “X-Box Connect’ game stations were also installed.

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The library refurbishment was an excellent opportunity to address some layout and access issues. At the library entrances on both levels the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) gates were widened to facilitate easier access for scooters, wheelchairs and prams. The gate width had been an issue for scooters in particular, so the response from this client group has been very positive. The library was closed for two weeks in May and re-opened to the public on 30 May with media coverage and a ‘Welcome Back’ cake for the public and staff.

A New Wiradjuri Dictionary, written by Stan Grant and John Rudder, was launched in the Wagga Wagga City Library on Tuesday 4 November. The library assisted with printing costs and was delighted to host the launch which brought over 50 guests from all over Wiradjuri Country. The new edition included corrections and new words. The library purchased multiple copies to assist students both young and old who are learning Wiradjuri now and in the future.

The Friends of the Wagga Wagga City Library (FOTL) held three Book Sales throughout the year which provided funds to support FOTL initiatives including: sponsoring the Regional “Slam Poetry” finals; purchasing drinks for the drink machine; and supplying food and drink for a number of library events. Book Sales coincided with Farmers Market Days so there was always a large crowd in attendance and many keen book lovers searching for bargains. The next major project will provide two iron bark seats for library lovers to sit on beside the lagoon while they read books from the library.

A number of staff attended the Kevin Hennah Workshop which highlighted the importance of library layouts and displays. Wagga Wagga received a thumbs up from Kevin with his one suggestion being that we reverse the bookshop style shelf top signs to be white writing on black. This greatly enhanced the readability of the subject signage especially from a distance.

New English as a Second Language (ESL) books and talking books were purchased to facilitate accessible ways to learn English. The new purchases were all popular novels with an audio track so that Australian literature, idioms and culture were easier to understand at the speed their readers selected.

The State Library of NSW loaned the library multiple boxes of books in other languages to meet the requests of local residents and new arrivals. Among the most popular requests were: French, Arabic, German, Tagalong, Spanish, Chinese and Persian. The ground work was also laid for a new pilot from the State Library of NSW of a Multicultural Health collection to be launched in September 2011 – a first for public libraries.

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Wagga Wagga City - Training Wagga Wagga City Library staff experienced a wide variety of training opportunities on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

Staff attended forums and other training events at the State Library of NSW such as the ‘MyLanguage’ Conference, Digitisation Seminar, Futures Forum and HSC Forum which empowered staff to keep on the cutting edge of information provision.

Networking and idea sharing opportunities were gained by staff attending the profession’s annual conference - the Impact Conference in Albury. Leadership skills were a focus this year as most staff attended a “7 Habits Leadership” course. Team leaders also attended intensive training called ‘Developing High Performance” teams. Staff utilised their marketing skills on a daily basis through skills learnt in courses such as InDesign and Facebook for Business.

Customer service skills were further developed by courses such as “Dealing with Difficult Customers’. Many staff also went on a study visit to three libraries in Canberra to compare processes and to share innovative ideas and programs.

A safe workplace was assured for both staff and customers by staff attending Manual Handling Workshops, First Aid training and Defibrillator training.

Personal development opportunities were also made available by attending training such as Train Small Groups. Staff kept up to date with in-house software by attending courses for the Microsoft Office Suite of programs. Library staff also increased their local networking opportunities by attending events such as the Compact Education Conference for all Riverina youth service providers and also by taking advantage of video editing training provided by the Riverina ABC Open Project Officer Sonya Gee. The benefits of training were threefold: the individuals increased their skill sets and were stimulated to try new things; the organisation was able to offer state of the art programs and services delivered by highly motivated staff; and the customers were encouraged to be active participants in lifelong learning in a socially inclusive environment. The overall result was a dynamic responsive and relevant library service.

Wagga Wagga City - Summary Report Over the last year Wagga Wagga City Library survived a plague of mice and rising floodwaters to emerge with a fresh new look and a renewed engagement with the community. This was reflected in increased membership, higher loans, increased door traffic and an increased number of programs for lifelong learning.

The library tagline It’s Your Library underlies the approach staff and management took in creating a responsive and inclusive library service that anticipated the needs of the many and varied client groups that came through library doors and interacted with staff via social networking media. The library secured a Library Development Grant to develop a “Community Links Library” for older residents residing either in aged care facilities or living at home. This was part of the strategy to address the impact of an ageing community on libraries and to engage with an active target group in delivering library services.

Some interesting statistics for Wagga Wagga City Library for 2010-2011:z

Annual Door Traffic 174,741 Library collection 80,959 Library Members 18,962 (plus 3,500 Cyber members who use the technology but do not borrow) Loans 295,735 Library Lifelong-Learning and Recreation Programs 225 Number of people attending library events 6,000 + Community Group Displays 20 Staff 9.5 full time equivalents Library is open 51 hours per week

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The range of programs delivered or facilitated at Wagga Wagga City Library reflected the enthusiasm and professionalism of the staff and their ability to maintain dynamic partnerships throughout the city, the region and the state. The library helped fund the publication costs of “A New Wiradjuri Dictionary” and held a book launch where local school students demonstrated traditional Wiradjuri dance in front of local Elders and invited dignitaries. The New Settlers Project with Charles Sturt University created invaluable research material through interviews and focus groups with individuals and local service providers.

One clear outcome of the research was the importance of visual literacy in communicating information to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse groups of which there are many in Wagga Wagga.

Technology was another big growth area with social media tools like Facebook and Twitter keeping staff and customers actively engaged. During the library closure in May for refurbishment, these communication methods proved to be invaluable.

This successful strategy also informed the investigation of library applications to assist customers to have the library in their pocket through Smart Phone technology in coming years.

Libraries have long been recognised as the cornerstone of democracy and the free access to information, professional staff, diverse programs, efficient technology and welcoming community spaces cannot be underestimated. A comment from a library customer recently summed up this pivotal role by saying “If you can read, you can do anything you want to”.

The staff of Wagga Wagga City Library acknowledge the assistance and strong friendships with other staff across the whole region and also at the Headquarters of Riverina Regional Library. The last word should go to some of the 700 daily customers who used this vibrant library service and enjoyed the collection, services and programs. The following comments were received in a recent Customer Satisfaction Survey:

“I visit as often as I can.”

“I’m always spruiking about our wonderful library and helpful staff.”

“Obliging staff, pleasant surroundings, great variety of books. ...

I’m pretty sure we have our heaven in this life!”

Claire Campbell Manager Library Services Wagga Wagga City Library

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Riverina Regional Library Statistical Profile 12000

New Items by Branch 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0

Coolamon

Coota

Gundagai

Junee

Mobile

Wagga

Culcairn

Henty

Greater Hume

Ariah Park

Temora

Adelong

Temora Shire

Batlow

Talbingo

Tumut

Tumut Shire

2007/2008

4004

2447

1250

1368

1307

9660

538

766

108

2003

385

590

151

2013

2008/2009

1071

1273

665

945

1312

7222

486

348

44

880

203

315

133

1173

2009/2010

907

1151

649

1174

427

7674

341

389

71

729

180

328

61

1087

2010/2011

706

1130

674

1082

549

8553

343

354

36

778

235

364

51

1327

Temora

Adelong

Batlow

Talbingo

Tumut

100000

Total stock by Branch

90000 80000 70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0

Coolamon

Coota

Gundagai

Junee

Mobile

Wagga

Culcairn

Henty

Greater Hume

Ariah Park

Temora Shire

Tumut Shire

2007/2008

5945

24665

13361

14754

10126

89137

6435

5728

1191

20611

5090

8438

5567

23314

2008/2009

7193

19569

12493

12879

9518

82189

4452

5069

898

16979

3387

6357

4801

20931

2009/2010

8081

20221

13071

13475

8632

76424

4406

5073

728

16427

3384

5937

4795

19159

2010/2011

9082

21967

13941

14805

8789

80136

4877

5724

642

16835

3382

6243

4354

20458

50000 45000 40000 35000

2006/2007

30000

2007/2008

25000

2008/2009

20000

2009/2010

15000

2010/2011

10000 5000 0 Discards

Purchases

Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

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350000

Loans by LGA

300000 250000 200000 150000 100000 50000 0 2007/2008

Coolamon

Cootamundra

Greater Hume

Gundagai

Junee

Lockhart

Temora

Tumut

Wagga

25606

62505

19370

12533

25775

15869

33008

64333

261702

2008/2009

42175

60718

20880

16953

27395

22478

34977

63074

269223

2009/2010

42057

59664

23766

19213

31266

22595

37475

61667

289636

2010/2011

39364

62037

19747

18316

29976

20575

42341

62469

290079

12.00

Loans per capita

10.00 8.00 6.00 4.00 2.00 0.00

Coolamon

Cootamundra

Greater Hume

Gundagai

Junee

Lockhart

Temora

Tumut

Wagga

2007/2008

6.12

8.18

4.72

3.32

4.29

4.48

5.16

5.65

4.45

2008/2009

10.15

8.07

5.09

4.45

4.53

6.84

5.84

5.61

4.43

2009/2010

10.07

7.92

5.80

5.02

5.12

6.90

6.22

5.49

4.70

2010/2011

9.42

8.24

4.82

4.79

4.91

6.28

7.03

5.56

4.70

50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Membership as Percent of Population

Coolamon

Cootamundra

Greater Hume

Gundagai

Junee

Lockhart

Temora

Tumut

Wagga

State Average

2007/2008

41

39

25

24

29

27

26

30

30

2008/2009

43

36

29

22

28

24

23

27

28

45

2009/2010

45

40

33

23

31

15

27

29

30

46

2010/2011

46

41

38

24

35

29

28

30

30

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Riverina Regional Library Annual Report 2010-2011

Distribution of Riverina Regional Library Population Riverina Regional Library Distribution of Population Council

Population

% of region

Coolamon

4,219

3.84%

Cootamundra

7,703

7.00%

Greater Hume

4,142

3.77%

Gundagai

3,870

3.52%

Junee

6,283

5.71%

Lockhart

3,299

3.00%

Temora

6,158

5.60%

Tumut

11,396

10.36%

Wagga Wagga

62,904

57.20%

109,974

100.00%

Total Population

Riverina Regional Library Contribution Calculation 2010-2011 Riverina Regional Library Member Council Contributions 2010-2011 COOLAMON % Population of RRL

3.9%

COOTA 7.0%

GREATER HUME 3.8%

GUNDAGAI 3.5%

JUNEE 5.7%

LOCKHART 3.0%

TEMORA 5.6%

TUMUT 10.4%

WAGGA

TOTAL

57.1%

100%

Mobile Running & Capital Costs

$18,847

$13,333

$23,759

$44,311

$100,250

Mobile Wages

$14,678

$10,384

$18,504

$34,510

$78,077

$109,589

$109,589

Base Contribution Distribute Balance of HQ Costs

$22,249

$40,109

$21,839

$20,385

$32,529

$17,444

$32,077

$59,849

$328,415

$574,896

HQ Wages

$32,978

$59,450

$32,370

$30,214

$48,215

$25,856

$47,544

$88,709

$486,778

$852,114

SUB-TOTAL

$88,752

$99,559

$77,926

$50,599

$80,744

$85,564

$79,621

$148,558

$1,003,602

$1,714,926

$8,875

$9,956

$7,793

$5,060

$8,074

$8,556

$7,962

$14,856

$100,360

$171,493

$97,627

$109,515

$85,719

$55,659

$88,819

$94,121

$87,583

$163,414

$1,103,962

$1,886,419

GST TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE

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rrl.nsw.gov.au