Whitehorse Manningham Library Annual Report 2015

ANNUAL
REPORT
2014/15

Whitehorse Manningham
Regional Library Corporation

www.wml.vic.gov.au

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation

Administration
1040 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, 3128
PO BOX 3083, NUNAWADING BC, VIC 3131
Phone 03 9896 4333
Fax 03 9896 4348

Where to find this report:
• Copies of this report are available at the

Corporation’s Administration office.
• It can also be accessed electronically on the

Corporation’s website at www.wml.vic.gov.au
• For further information, telephone 9896 4333.

This publication is printed on 100% recycled paper

Contents

About Us 02 Achieving Our Objectives 27

About The Corporation 02 Access For All 27

Chairperson’s Message 05 Service Excellence 32

Chief Executive Officer’s Message 06 Awareness 38

Library Board Membership 07 Collaboration 42

A Strong Future 46

Highlights 08

The Year In Review 08 Friends Of Nunawading Libraries 49

Our Performance 12

Financial Summary 17 Financial Statements 51

Governance 21 Financial Report 51

Library Board 21 Independent Auditor’s Report 80
Our Organisation 22
Audit Committee 23 Glossary 82
Corporate Information 24
Index 83

WMRLC would like to acknowledge the support of:

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 1

About The Corporation

Providing Library Services to Our Community
the Cities of Whitehorse and
Manningham In 2014 the Whitehorse and Manningham
municipalities had a total Estimated Residential
Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Population (ERP) of 282,218 over a geographic
Corporation is located approximately twelve area of 178 square kilometres. A dominant
kilometres east of Melbourne’s CBD and was characteristic of the Whitehorse and Manningham
established in 1995 to provide library services communities is their increasing diversity. The
to the Cities of Whitehorse and Manningham. following provides a snapshot of our community:
The Corporation delivers library services
through eight branch locations, a Home Library • 36.5% of Manningham and 33.4% of
Service and online at www.wml.vic.gov.au. Whitehorse residents were born overseas

Public libraries support community knowledge, • 30.6% of Manningham and 24.4% of
connection and engagement. Our libraries Whitehorse residents are from non-English
provide opportunities for community members speaking backgrounds
to access and share ideas, learning, information
and stories through a range of programs and • 7.3% of Whitehorse and 5.9% of
services. Our libraries are welcoming and Manningham residents were from China;
inclusive community spaces that are well in Box Hill this figure is 20%
used and accessible to all members of our
diverse community. • The median age of residents in Manningham
is 42 years and 39 years in Whitehorse
MANNINGHAM
CITY COUNCIL • The top six non-English languages spoken
at home were Cantonese, Mandarin, Greek,
Italian, Vietnamese and Arabic

• 25.6% of Manningham and 22.5% of
Whitehorse residents were over the age
of 60 compared with an 18.2% for the
Melbourne average.

CBD CITY OF
WHITEHORSE

Bulleen Warrandyte
The Pines

Doncaster MANNINGHAM
CITY COUNCIL

Box Hill Nunawading

Blackburn

CITY OF
WHITEHORSE

2 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 3

Our Vision and Objectives Our Vision

Our Values To be a vital service that
strengthens community
The following principles knowledge, understanding,
guide the way we operate:
engagement and
Service excellence connection.
Community focus
Our Mission Equitable access

To deliver exceptional Innovation
services, programs and Best practice

collections that are
accessible and responsive to

the needs of a
diverse community.

Key Strategic Themes

1. A ccess for All
Support access by all in our community to ideas,
learning, information and stories.

2. Service Excellence
Commitment to delivering a high quality library service that is
valued by our community.

3. A wareness
Build a high level of awareness of Whitehorse Manningham Library
services in the local community.

4. C ollaboration
Build community capacity through collaboration and
partnerships.

5. A Strong Future
Secure WMRLC’s ongoing position as
a financially sustainable and
relevant service.

4 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Chairperson’s Message

On behalf of the Board I am pleased to present The Friends of Nunawading Libraries (FONL)
the 2014/15 Annual Report of the Whitehorse fund raising activities have once again provided
Manningham Regional Library Corporation. This much appreciated support for library programs
report provides a comprehensive account of the across the region. The FONL annual Literary
Corporation’s performance against the strategic Afternoon Tea event and twice yearly book
objectives outlined in the Library Plan 2013- sales continue to be popular events on the
2017. It details the Corporation’s achievements, calendar. This year we were saddened to hear
challenges and commitment to the provision of of the loss of two long serving FONL committee
a high quality library service. Most importantly, members Beth Wallace and Gerry Harant. Beth
this report demonstrates the wide range contributed greatly towards the preparation
of collections, programs, events and library of stock for book sales. Gerry was a key figure
services that are delivered on a daily basis in the establishment of FONL and served as
to our community. secretary for many years, producing the
Friend’s Newsletter.
In the 2014/15 year, there were more people
using our libraries than ever before. Both I would like to thank my fellow Board members
our branch libraries and online services have for their commitment to our library service and
experienced growth, demonstrating the ongoing our member Council officers for their support
role public libraries have in supporting life and contribution throughout the year. I give
learning for our communities. Compared to special thanks to Cr Michelle Kleinert for her
previous years, there was an increase in the role as Chair of the Board to December 2014.
number of people requesting help with their
information needs, and more attendances This year saw the retirement from the
at our digital literacy, early literacy and Library Board of our long serving Community
youth programs. Representatives. Mrs Christine Sayle,
Whitehorse representative, and Mr Jim Allen,
With over 1.3 million visits each year, our Manningham representative, have provided
libraries are hubs of community activity tireless support to the Library Corporation
providing connection to ideas and learning, through their consistent attendance at Board
and opportunities for social engagement. Our meetings and library events since 2008.
libraries continue to broaden the scope of We are delighted that Christine is continuing
what a contemporary library service is, whilst her involvement with our libraries through her
maintaining a commitment to encouraging new role on the FONL committee. We welcome
reading and literacy development. Ms Cathy Costa as the new Whitehorse
Community Representative and look forward
Meeting the expectations of the community to Ms Saarah Ozeer joining the Board in
for the increased range of library services August 2015 as the Manningham Representative.
continues to be a challenge as the gap between
Council support and State government funding
for public libraries widens. The Library Board
continues to lobby the State Government for
improved funding and has raised concerns on the
potential impact rate capping will have on the
provision of library services to our communities.

Cr Helen Harris OAM

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 5

Chief Executive Officer’s Message

On behalf of the Whitehorse Manningham In the 2015/16 year the Corporation will be
Regional Library Corporation it is my pleasure streamlining its payroll and rostering processes
to present the Corporation’s Annual Report with the implementation of a software system,
for the year 2014/15. completing an asset management review and
undertaking business continuity planning. The
The 2014/15 year’s achievements have included Corporation will also be launching a new visual
a significant investment in the Corporation’s ICT branding that reflects the profile of a modern
network, particularly the link between our major public library.
sites at Box Hill and Doncaster. These upgrades
were essential to ensure the Corporation I would like to take the opportunity to
continues to respond to the rapid growth in acknowledge the Library Board, our member
reliable public internet and access to online councils, library staff and volunteers who have
information. Public downloads are currently in contributed to delivering the library’s vision and
the vicinity of 4TB per month and rising. Other objectives.
achievements include the development of a
Risk Management Strategy and assessment Sally Both
of enterprise risks. A report on strategic and
operational risks identified will be presented to
the Board in August 2015.

The Corporation continued the implementation
of its People and Skills Strategy to ensure
staff resources support the delivery of the
Corporation’s vision and strategic objectives.
Following some internal and external movement,
there were changes in the senior leadership
team this year with the appointment of Ms
Tracey Olive and Mr Neville Butler to the roles
of Manager Corporate Services and Manager
ICT respectively.

Operating income and the annual State
Government funding this year was $146,184
less than anticipated. As a result operating
expenditure was tightly controlled throughout
the year and an overall operating surplus of
$69,000 was achieved at the end of June
2015. The Board raised concerns regarding
the Corporation’s limited capacity to continue
to identify compensatory savings for further
revenue gaps without impacting on the level
of service to the community. An additional
$76,000 in Council contributions will be
received in the 2015/16 year to assist
the Corporation to progress a number of
outstanding risk mitigation strategies
identified by the Audit Committee.

6 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Board Members 2014/15

City of Whitehorse Cr Bill Bennett Ms Noelene Duff

Cr Helen Harris Chief Executive
Deputy Chair Officer
to December
2014, Chair from
December 2014

Mrs Christine Sayle Ms Cathy Costa

Community Community
Representative Representative
(until February 2015) (from May 2015)

Manningham City Council Cr Michelle Kleinert Cr Jim
Grivokostopoulos
Cr Meg Downie (Chair until
(Deputy Chair from December 2014) (from December
December 2014) 2014)

Mr Joseph Carbone Mr James Allen

Chief Executive Community
Officer Representative
(until February
2015)

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 7

The Year In Review

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library • Box Hill Library service desk replaced to
Corporation experienced a busy year accommodate RFID equipment and improve
of activity, with more people visiting customer experience
our branches, accessing information
online and attending our programs than • New library website launched
the previous year. For the first time in a • Public catalogue upgraded to enable the
number of years there has been a slight
decrease in loan figures, with a 3% integration of eBook and eMagazine loans
reduction when compared to 2013/14. • Launch of BorrowBox, providing a new

During the 2014/15 year eAudiobook service and additional eBooks
there were: • 138 digital literacy classes offered to

• 1,305,997 visits made to our branch libraries the community
• 1.3 million visits to our website
• 3.1 million items loaned Key Theme: Service Excellence
• 69,765 people attended our library programs
Commitment to delivering a high quality library
and activities service that is valued by our community.
• 395,925 items available for loan in the
Achievements:
collection
• 136,429 information enquiries responded • Staff development program implemented
• People and Skills Strategy developed
to by library staff • Customer Service Manual reviewed
• 42,141 people used the community • Over 1,800 suggested collection purchases

meeting rooms made by the community
• 708,447 public internet sessions • Collection usage turnover rates ranked 4th
• Our library branches were open to the
in the state for physical items and 1st in the
public 380 hours each week state for digital items
• Library Officers trained to support the
Highlights delivery of youth programs

The Corporation had many achievements Key Theme: Awareness
throughout 2014/15 supporting the key
objectives articulated in the Library Plan. A brief Build a high level of awareness of Whitehorse
snapshot is provided below, with further details Manningham Library services in the local
provided in the section on Our Performance. community.

Key Theme: Access for All Achievements:

Support access by all in our community to ideas, • Rebranding project commenced to provide
learning information and stories. an updated and consistent visual identity

Achievements: • Successful year of programming with 69,765
people attending events and programs
• Information technology infrastructure
upgrade, enabling high speed and high • Implementation of the Community Mapping
availability fibre optic internet connections process, identifying hard to reach groups

• Over 1.3 million visits to the library website
• 40% increase in followers of the library

Facebook page
• Introduction of a successful Lego Club at

The Pines library

8 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Key Theme: Collaboration Challenges

Build community capacity through collaboration The state government public library grant
and partnerships. received was less than anticipated this
financial year; as was income from user
Achievements: charges and interest.

• Successful collaboration with Manningham Responding to new technologies and the
YMCA, delivering two safe gaming events to expectations of the community for associated
over 1,200 young people resources and digital literacy support remains
both a challenge and an opportunity for the
• Participation in the Manningham Council Library Service.
Bulleen Live Well community building
initiative Balancing and responding to the demands on
library infrastructure and space from users
• Manningham Refugee and Migrant Human with diverse needs and expectations.
Library
Looking Forward
• Participation in the Whitehorse/Deakin
University Tertiary Business skills program A new logo and visual brand will be launched in
2016 in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of
• Federal ANZAC Centenary grant secured for the Library Corporation.
a young writers program
The completion of the information technology
Key Theme: A Strong Future infrastructure upgrade will better place the
library to respond to growing community
Secure WMRLC’s ongoing position as a demand for high speed internet connection
financially sustainable and relevant service. and bandwidth consumption.

Achievements: The implementation of an electronic rostering
and timesheet system will streamline HR and
• Risk Management Policy and Strategy payroll functions.
developed and adopted by the Library Board

• Additional funding secured for 2015/16 to
implement risk mitigation strategies

• New Whitehorse Community representative
appointed to the Library Board

• Appointment of a new external member to
the Audit Committee

• New three year Enterprise Agreement
negotiated

• Sponsorship Policy adopted by the Library
Board

• Best Regional Library Annual Report Award
for 2013/14, presented at the MAV Annual
Report Awards in May 2015

• Library service recognised through the ALIA
Library Stars awards

• Work experience opportunities provided to
26 secondary and tertiary students

• Meeting and Training rooms at Box Hill
Library repainted and refurnished. New
promotional material distributed to increase
rate of hire of these facilities

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 9

The Year In Review

Key Performance Indicators

The key performance indicators assist the Corporation to monitor the achievement of its objectives.

Key Indicators Performance Target

Membership 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2014/15
New members
Total members 11,270 12,784 13,489 12,809 13,500
Members as % of ERP 117,484 114,226 103,208 109,421 113,000 Note 1
Library Use
Number of annual visits to library branches 43% 41% 37% 39% 42% Note 2
Number of reference enquiries handled by library staff
Home Library Service loans (included in total loans) 1,109,500 1,217,176 1,300,043 1,305,997 1,296,409
Collections 124,872 125,862 131,458 136,429 130,000
Number of annual loans of collection items 41,844 43,676 42,611 43,112 42,000
Total number of collection items
Number of new collection items acquired 3,005,494 3,224,759 3,316,123 3,129,737 2,500,000
Number of collection items under 5 years 375,548 398,117 397,976 394,650 401,100
Online Library Use 75,809 68,164 83,283 71,862 70,000 Note 3
Number of annual visits to the library website 247,861 306,550 285,950 296,325 295,400
Loans of online books, eBooks and electronic
databases (included in total loans) 1,021,780 1,177,414 1,317,956 1,307,049 1,400,000 Note 4
Web renewals 468,995
Public searches of the library catalogue 502,437 560,745 563,654 580,000
Access to digital information and collections 1,057,193
1,057,193 1,188,602 1,221,633 1,855,163 1,090,000
Fixed public access internet sessions (1/2 hr bookings) 1,188,602 1,221,633 1,855,163 1,090,000
112,003
Wireless public access internet sessions 59,974 120,112 209,042 279,470 200,000
Loans of eResources (includes database usage) 80,545 180,509 348,496 428,977 400,000
Program participation 230,904 302,402 265,633 350,000
Number of participants in library programs and n/a
activities (internal) n/a 62,975 65,395 59,000 Note 5
Number of participants in library programs and n/a n/a 4,603 4,400 7,000 Note 5
activities (external)
Community Engagement 80 72 74 73 n/a Note 6
Number of volunteers 723 868 949 988 980
Library eNewsletter subscribers n/a 294 489 692 650
Library Facebook followers
Library Facilities 373.5 372.5 380 380 380 Note 7
Opening hours per week
Funding $41.18 $33.87 $34.10 $34.72 $34.18 Note 8
Total Expenditure per capita
User Satisfaction Rating 8.1 n/a 8.6 8.2 8.2 Note 9
Survey results – overall rating on a scale 1-10

Notes 5. Data collection method changed. Data not available
2011/12 and 2012/13.
1. Non Active members were purged from the Library
Management System in 2013/14 after three years of 6. Excludes Human Book volunteers and community
non-activity; this process had not been done for the service students.
previous two years. This is now routinely completed
every year. 7. Alignment of Sunday operating hours in 2012 and
expansion of hours at Warrandyte in 2013.
2. Based on Estimated Residential Populations (ERP) of
275,987 in 2012; 276,091 in 2013; 279,261 in 2014 8. Due to changed accounting practices end processing
and 282,218 in 2015. included in expenditure on library materials for the
first time in 2013/14. Figure also includes collection
3. Includes establishment collection purchased for establishment at Warrandyte.
Warrandyte Library in 2013/14.
9. Delay in regional library survey, results for 2013
4. Some loss of data was experienced during the released in January 2014.
re-design of the website in 2014/15.

10 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

The Year In Review

Branch Activity 2014/15

Loans Visitors New Members Reference Internet
Enquiries Bookings

Blackburn 114,579 64,042 711 10,226 9,237
Box Hill 466,751
Bulleen 174,107 287,042 3,293 24,145 90,885
Doncaster 399,167
Nunawading 488,635 100,841 553 13,933 14,950
The Pines 317,563
Vermont South 299,529 315,222 2,975 24,579 64,975
Warrandyte
40,292 216,250 2,487 23,333 58,889

170,726 1,314 18,932 23,628

122,984 908 14,320 14,475

28,890 442 4,871 2,431

Total Loans and Branch Visits

There was an increase in visits to library branches compared to last year, consolidating good results
from the previous two years. Loans of the physical collection were slightly down on last year, whereas
electronic loans have once again experienced a further rise. The reduction in loans is a reflection
of a current industry trend. Overall visits and loans continue to demonstrate the high use of library
collections and facilities by our communities.

3,500,000
3,000,000
2,500,000
2,000,000
1,500,000

1,000,000 Visits to branches
500,000 Loans of collection items
0

2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Internet Access

This year there was significant growth in demand for internet both through the fixed computers
and Wi-Fi service. Trend data indicates that demand has not yet reached its peak. Keeping up with
the increasing demand for high speed access to streaming media continues to be a challenge for the
Corporation.

Fixed Computers and Wireless Internet Sessions

500,000

No. of Sessions 400,000

300,000 Fixed
200,000 Wireless
100,000

0
2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 11

Our Performance THEME 1

Access for All

Support access by all in our community to ideas, learning, information and stories.

Key Strategy Achievements Performance More on
Indicators

Provide collections and Opportunities for the CALD communities to be Community selection pg. 27
day held pg. 28
resources that are aligned involved with LOTE book selection.
Collection development
with the needs of the A range of data has been collected and analysed to strategy reviewed
community. assist in delivering relevant collections.

WMRLC responded to suggested collection 1,894 suggestions received pg. 8
purchase requests made by library members.

Community asset mapping training completed and Training delivered to pg. 30, 34
Phase 2 Community Engagement and Relationship Branch Management and
Building strategy commenced. Youth Services Teams

Participation in Library Link Victoria (LLV) 101 LLV requests to other pg. 30
interlibrary loans continued in 2014/15. libraries

5,228 LLV requests from
other libraries received,
with 2,711 satisfied

Utilise new technologies LMS and online catalogue upgrade completed, Upgrade completed pg. 29
and electronic formats including integration of electronic collections into Sept 2014
to maximise access to the catalogue.

collections and information Library website upgraded, providing improved New website launched pg. 28, 29
Dec 2014 pg. 29
resources. access to eResources.
138 digital literacy classes
A quarterly program of digital literacy classes were
scheduled throughout the year. These were well
attended by the community.

Additional RFID equipment installed at Box Hill, 59% of all issues through pg. 30
Nunawading and Vermont South libraries. self-service kiosks pg. 47

Continuation of eDevice community service 8 hours of training
tutor program. delivered

Plan for flexible library Meeting room level of Box Hill Library repainted, 41,137 people used the Box
spaces that attract and with new furniture and signage installed. Hill meeting rooms
meet evolving community
needs. Box Hill service desk replaced to accommodate Completed Sept 2014 pg. 30
RFID equipment and provide improved customer
service experience. Completed pg. 30

Study benches with in-built GPOs installed at Progress report to Council pg. 46
2 branches. Nov 2014

Contributed to the Manningham Library Facilities Implementation
review. commenced

Developed a 10 year furniture and fittings
replacement strategy.

Identify and develop Fibre optic network solution replaced line of sight Stage 1 of migration pg. 36
strategies to reduce technology between Box Hill and Doncaster sites. completed pg. 27
barriers to access.
API integration of eBook and eMagazine loans in Completed
library catalogue.

REAL eLearning course for staff to support the 32 staff completed course pg. 34

delivery of library services to users with a disability.

Policy / scenario training for Branch Management 7 staff attended pg. 34
Team pg. 30
Strategies developed
Expand service delivery Temporary Outreach project officer engaged to and implementation
beyond the library walls out progress Community Mapping and implement commenced.
into the community and the Outreach Strategy
online environment.

12 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Our Performance THEME 2

Service Excellence

Commitment to delivering a high quality library service that is valued by our community.

Key Strategy Achievements Performance More on
Indicators
pg. 32
Ensure a strong customer Review of Customer Service Manual. Completed March 2015
focused culture is pg.34
integrated into all aspects Overdue notification processes reviewed in line with Draft recommendations
the organisation and its new and emerging technologies. developed
practises.

Cybersafety training provided to staff by ACMA. 27 staff attended

Ensure staff skills A staff development plan was developed and aligned 2,329 hours of training pg. 34
are aligned with the pg. 34
achievement of service with organisational goals. attended
delivery goals.
Digital literacy skills training delivered to 64 hours of training
information staff. attended

Review of internal workforce capacity. People and Skills Strategy pg. 33
formulated
Recruitment processes reviewed.
Requirement introduced for all new appointments Completed
to undertake a Police Check.

Measure and evaluate Participation in statewide and regional library Completed pg. 32
service outcomes to service surveys.
determine successful Data provided to member pg. 32
achievement of strategic Participation in Victorian Local Government councils
goals. performance reporting.
Adjustments implemented
Identify and respond to Review of statistics collected to ensure alignment
service gaps. with LGPRF requirements. Review and report pg. 44
completed
CSU industry placement student reviewed the
library’s digital literacy training program.

Scanning facility introduced to complement public Completed pg. 36
copy and print services.

Adopt industry best Library officers trained to support Youth Services 10 staff trained pg. 39
practise to ensure delivery program delivery. pg. 24-25
of an effective library Vendor contract finalised
service that provides the Electronic rostering and timesheet project and system set up phase
best value for investment. commenced. Implementation of system to be commenced.
finalised by December 2015.
10 polices reviewed
A rolling schedule of organisational policy and 2 new policies adopted
procedure review was implemented.

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 13

Our Performance THEME 3

Awareness

Build a high level of awareness of Whitehorse Manningham Library services in the local community.

Key Strategy Achievements Performance More on
Indicators
Evolve the library’s Electronic events newsletter promoted library pg. 29
marketing and events. 988 subscribers
promotional strategy
to a multilayered Genealogy newsletter transitioned to electronic 83 subscribers pg. 29
proactive model. format.

Further development of the library’s Facebook page 692 likes (increase of 42%

as a promotional tool. from previous year)

2,198 Facebook users
actively engaged with
our page

Establishment of the Corporation’s LinkedIn page as 36 followers
a recruitment tool.

Rebranding and logo project initiated to establish a Rebranding completion due pg. 41
new consistent visual identity that reflects a modern 2016
library.

Target non-users and Community mapping to identify sectors that are Target groups identified pg. 41
hard to reach sectors of underrepresented in the library active member’s
the community. cohort.

Develop and deliver Events held in partnership with other organisations. Over 40 events held in pg. 42, 43
programs that promote
awareness of library collaboration with others
services and provide
opportunities to connect Information Services staff delivered external 215 participants in external pg. 42, 43
people with resources programs and information sessions to the library promotion activities
and collections. community, highlighting opportunities to connect
with library services. 69,765 attendances at pg. 38-41
library programs (3.1%
Delivery of a targeted calendar of adult, youth and increase on previous year)
children’s programs.

Review conducted of regular youth programs. New schedule of weekly pg. 39, 40
programs implemented.

Delivery of a range or outreach programs at external 237 people attended pg. 39
venues such as nursing homes, neighbourhood 14 outreach programs
houses and retirement villages to connect with
resources and information.

14 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Our Performance THEME4

Collaboration

Build community capacity through collaboration and partnerships.

Key Strategy Achievements Performance More on
Measures
pg. 41, 42
Identify potential Implementation of action plan from community Bibliotherapy bookmark
partners for collaborative mapping process commenced. produced pg. 9
service delivery and
funding opportunities Successful application for Federal Anzac Centenary $14,000 grant received
Grants to run a youth writing competition and
associated program of events.

Successful application in partnership with Writing the War exhibition
Whitehorse Artspace to host Writing the War secured for Oct/Nov 2015
travelling exhibition from State Library.

Work with community Volunteering opportunities provided to community 73 volunteers pg. 44
partners to deliver members that assisted in the delivery of Home
services and programs that Library services, Homework Club tutoring and Book
strengthen community Buddies programs.
capacity outcomes.

The Corporation’s participation in community Over 30 partnerships/ pg. 42, 43
partnerships continued to develop and expand collaborations
in 2014/15.

Investigate service and Participation in collaborative tenders for Attendance at annual pg. 47
Procurement Australia pg. 46
skills sharing opportunities procurement of goods and services. conference

with our member Councils. Completed

Council officer advice and information received
to assist with the development of a sponsorship
framework.

CEO participated on Manningham’s Community Completed
Development and Partnerships Grants Assessment
panel.

Whitehorse officer invited to sit on interview Completed pg. 42, 43
panel for the recruitment of Corporation’s new pg. 42, 43
ICT Manager. Library stand at Women’s pg. 46
Business event
Library attendance at Whitehorse Business Week. Marketing student
placement secured
Successful submission to the Whitehorse/Deakin Ongoing
University Tertiary Business Skills Program 2015.

Participation in Manningham’s Bulleen Live Well
initiative.

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 15

Our Performance THEME 5

A Strong Future

Secure WMRLC’s ongoing position as a financially sustainable and relevant service.

Key Strategy Achievements Performance Indicators More on

On behalf of our member Library Board wrote to the Minister of Local Government and MAV 3 letters sent pg. 46
Councils, advocate on public lobbying for improved State funding for public libraries. pg. 32
library service delivery and
funding issues. Annual benchmarking data collected and analysed to support advocacy. Completed

Take a leadership role in ensuring New appointments to the Library Board were provided with an orientation 2 orientation sessions conducted pg. 7

the ongoing relevance of the public by the Corporation’s senior leadership team.

library. Active participation and representation on a range of library Participation in 6 PLVN Special pg. 32
Interest Groups, PLVN/SLV Statewide
industry committees and workgroups. Projects Lead and Learn workgroup,
Spydus and FE user groups

CEO presentation to Manningham Community programs directorate Completed Sept 2014 pg. 32
annual planning day.

Library staff attended industry conferences, seminars and workshops. 242 hours of professional development pg. 34-35
training

Staff participation in leadership programs and opportunities. 2 staff enrolled in leadership programs pg. 46

Provision of work experience and community service opportunities for 26 student placements pg. 47

secondary and tertiary students to promote public library career choices.

Encourage and foster an Review of EO Contact Officer selection and appointment process. Appointment of 2 new EO contact pg. 35
organisational culture of officers
innovation in the development and Review of peak period annual leave procedure to improve access
enhancement of library services. to leave and meet service requirements. Review completed

Branch task analysis undertaken and resource allocation realigned Completed
to service requirements.

Internal audits of Risk Management systems, Cash Handing procedures, 4 internal audits completed and pg. 23

Credit Card and Expenditure Controls and Tax Compliance. recommendations implemented

Maintain WMRLC’s position as All statutory and financial obligations were met. Compliance achieved pg. 47,
50-81
a financially sustainable library

service through the application of Risk Management Policy and Strategy developed. Policy adopted by Board in February pg. 23, 24
the principles of good governance 2015 and Strategy adopted May 2015

and responsible management.

New independent member appointment to the Audit Committee. Appointment endorsed by Board pg. 23
Feb 2015

Instrument of Delegations reviewed. Adopted by Board May 2015

Enterprise Bargaining negotiations finalised July 2014. New EA certified Sept 2014

Recommendations for Asset Management project endorsed by Asset tagging commenced June 2015 pg. 23
Audit Committee Nov 2014.

Sponsorship policy developed. Adopted by Board Dec 2014

Strategic report to Board identifying continued decline in Additional Council contribution
operating income and recommendations for risk mitigation. endorsed for 2015/16 Budget

Continue the commitment to Implementation of the Sustainability Action Plan. Quarterly Green Office Team meetings pg. 48
reducing WMRLC’s environmental Review of waste bins in public areas of the library branches. held and Action Plan updated
footprint by adopting sustainable Additional bins installed for disposal of pg. 48
practices that reduce waste, recyclables.
energy and water use.
Continued participation in recycling programs, including recycling discarded 60kg of discarded printer cartridges
pg. 48
discs and recycling of toner cartridges. recycled pg. 49

Furniture and fitting no longer fit for purpose are now being sold on ebay by $12,000 raised by FONL
FONL to raise funds for the library and to reduce waste to landfill.

The Corporation collaborated with member councils to support their Participation in Council sustainability pg. 42, 43
environmental sustainability goals. events

16 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Financial Summary

The Corporation’s Strategic Resource Plan (SRP) Revenue and Expenditure
for 2014/15 was developed to describe the
resources required to achieve the objectives The Corporation’s revenue in 2014/15 was
and key strategies articulated in the Library derived from:
Action Plan for the year. The SRP supports the
Corporation’s strategic commitment to continue • Member Councils
managing the library operations on a financially • State Government grant
sustainable basis whilst maintaining existing • Other income
service levels and where feasible, to introduce • Interest from investments
minor and affordable service initiatives. The • Other grants
2014/15 Budget was adopted at the ordinary Income generated by the Corporation is derived
meeting of the Library Board on 27 August 2014. from these sources:

Financial Performance • Overdue charges and reservations
• Copying and printing services
The Corporation’s cash balance as at 30 June • Meeting room hire
2014 was $2.3 million, slightly more than the • Sale of products
previous year and shows the capacity of the • Interest on investments
Corporation to meet its cash debts and other • Library programs and activities
liabilities. The major areas of expenditure were employee
benefits and depreciation.
The Corporation does not have any loans.

Grants

The Corporation received the following grants
in 2014/15:

• $84,232 Local Priorities funding
from State Government

• $36,429 from State Government to
support the Premier’s Reading Challenge

• $25,000 Library Initiatives funding
from the City of Whitehorse

• $11,800 from Friends of
Nunawading Libraries

• $13,444 Anzac Centenary Local
Grants Program

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 17

Annual Revenue – four year trend

Council contributions for 2012 included additional capital for collections and
additional capital for RFID in Years 2012 and 2013. Additional funds from City of
Manningham were provided in 2013/14 and 2014/15 for the new collection and
IT resources at Warrandyte Library.

% of Total Revenue 100% Council Contributions
90% State Government Grant
80% Other Income
70% Other Grants
60% Interest from Investments
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0

2012 2013 2014 2015

Annual Expenditure – four year trend

% of Total 100% Employee Benefits
90% Depreciation
80% IT Services
70% Other Expenses
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0

2012 2013 2014 2015

18 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Operating Income 2014/15 Other Expenses 2014/15

5% 3% 1% 3%3%2%2%1%
3%

14% 4% 21%
14% 4%
464%6% 5%
31%
31% 6% 16%

14%

16%

Overdue Charges Library Stock (not capital) Programs Costs
Other Service Charges Warrandyte Insurance
Photocopying & Printing Services Utility Costs Couriers
Sundry Income Cleaning, Security Professional Services
Sale of Products Grant Expenditure Finance Costs
Headquarters Costs Staff Amenities
Office Expenses Vehicle Maintenance

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 19

Financial Summary

Financial Position Challenges

The Corporation’s Balance sheet is in a healthy This year the funding received from the State
position with Current Assets ($2,487,588) Government was $26,269 less than anticipated.
being greater than the Currently Liabilities In addition, income from user charges and
($2,079,455). This puts the Corporation in a interest continued to decline. This has placed
strong position to meet all liabilities, including further reliance on member Councils for funding.
short and long-term employee benefits.
Maintaining current services and financial
It has been pleasing to note that since 2012/13 sustainability as the funding gap between Local
the Corporation has continued to successfully and State Government widens continues to be
implement a strategy that has resulted in a challenge.
expenditure on assets being higher than
depreciation. Transition to the new budget preparation
timelines, all requirements were met.
Highlights
Looking forward
A report was presented to the Board along with
a recommendation of additional funding to The Asset Management project commenced
implement risk mitigation measures identified in June 2015 with the recording, tagging and
by the Audit Committee. Additional Council valuation of all assets. The project is expected
funding will be received in the 2015/16 year. to be completed by September 2015.

Savings were identified in ICT capital, enabling The Corporation will continue to work with
a $100,000 reserve to be established for the member Councils to identify strategies to
scheduled replacement plan of RFID equipment. respond to ongoing decline in revenue from
user charges.
Four internal audits were completed with
excellent results. A new three year audit plan
was developed.

One new independent audit committee member
was appointed.

Asset Renewal Gap

Capital Expenditure vs Depreciation 5 Year Trend

2,500,000

2,000,000
1,500,000

1,000,000
500,000

Depreciation
Capital Purchases

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

20 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Governance

The Library Board • the Chief Executive Officer of each member
council
The Whitehorse Manningham Regional
Library Corporation (WMRLC) is a Local • one Community Representative appointed by
Government Authority with the operations each member council
and responsibilities of the Corporation being
defined under the Local Government Act Community Representative Appointments
(1989). The Corporation is governed by the
Library Board which is responsible for overall Community Representatives, Mrs Christine
governance and policy direction. Sayle (Whitehorse) and Mr Jim Allen
(Manningham), resigned from the Library
Ordinary meetings of the Board are held Board on 25 February 2015. Mrs Sayle and
quarterly. Special meetings of the Board are Mr Allen were initially appointed in May
held as required. Agendas and minutes of 2008. Over the past seven years they have
Board meetings are made available to the public demonstrated themselves to be diligent
and meetings are open to the public. Members and committed to the role of Community
of the Board are required to conduct themselves Representative and had an excellent record
in accordance with the rules outlined in the of attendance and participation at both Board
Corporation’s Code of Conduct for Board meetings and library events.
Members.
Ms Cathy Costa was appointed as the new
The Board comprises of: Whitehorse Community Representative in May
2015. It is anticipated that the appointment
• two Councillors appointed from each of the Manningham Representative will be
member council finalised in August 2015.

Ordinary Board Meeting Attendance

Aug 2014 Dec 2014 Feb 2015 May 2015
✓ ✓ ✓
Cr Helen Harris ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ x
Cr Bill Bennett ✓ ✓ ✓
✓
Ms Noelene Duff ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ x
Mrs Christine Sayle ✓ ✓ ✓
✓ ✓ ✓
Cr Michelle Kleinert ✓

Cr Jim Grivokostopoulos

Cr Meg Downie ✓

Mr Joseph Carbone ✓

Mr James Allen ✓

Ms Cathy Costa

Apologies were received from Board members for all meetings they were unable to attend.

• Terry Wilkinson represented Noelene Duff in May 2015.

• Chris Potter represented Joseph Carbone in May 2015.

Senior officers of Council and the Corporation support the operation of the Library Board and attend
meetings of the Board.

Ms Terry Wilkinson General Manager Human Services, City of Whitehorse
Mr Chris Potter Director Community Programs, Manningham City Council
Ms Sally Both Chief Executive Officer, WMRLC
Mrs Julie Lawes Manager Finance, WMRLC
Ms Georgina Earl Manager Branch Services, WMRLC
Ms Katie Norton Manager Collections and Information Services, WMRLC
Ms Tracey Olive Manager Corporate Services, WMRLC

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 21

Governance

Our Organisation

Whitehorse
Manningham
Regional Library

Board

Chief Executive
Officer

Sally Both

Manager Branch Manager Manager Manager Manager
Services Collections Corporate Finance Information
& Information Services Technology
Georgina Earl Julie Lawes
Services Tracey Olive Neville Butler

Katie Norton

Branch Services Information Services Human Resources Financial Services Business Systems
Library Collections Staff Development Payroll
Youth Services Reader Development Employee Relations Systems
Technical Services Workcover Administration
Outreach Services Library Management Organisational Insurance
Development Meeting Room Hire Help Desk
Community System Administration
Programs Inter Library Loans OH&S
Policy Development

22 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Governance

The Audit Committee Protected Disclosures

The Audit Committee is an advisory committee In accordance with the provisions of s58 of the
to the Corporation; it monitors both internal Protected Disclosure Act 2012, the Corporation
and external audit processes and the annual has a procedure for dealing with disclosures
financial statements. While it is not compulsory made under the Act. WMRLC Manager
under Section 139 of the Local Government Act Corporate Services is the Corporation’s
for Library Corporations to establish an audit Protected Disclosure Coordinator. The
committee, it is encouraged as a matter of Corporation has not received any disclosures
good governance. directly nor has it received any referrals from
the Ombudsman for the period 1 July 2014 to
Membership of the Corporation’s Audit 30 June 2015.
Committee comprises one Councillor from
each member Council, nominated by the Library Freedom of Information
Board, and two external independent members.
The Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, The Freedom of Information Act 1982
Finance Manager and Internal Auditor attend provides people with the opportunity to obtain
each committee meeting. information held by State and Local Government
departments and authorities. The Act gives
Audit Committee Members 2014/15 were: people the right to request documents relating
to their personal affairs. The Corporation did not
• Cr Meg Downie (until December 2014) receive any requests in the period 1 July 2014 to
30 June 2015.
• Cr Bill Bennett
Information Privacy Act
• Cr Jim Grivokostopoulos
(from December 2014) The Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014
and Health Records Act 2001 are designed to
• Mr David Ashmore, Independent Member protect the private information of individuals.
(until December 2014) The Corporation has a Privacy Policy available
through the library branches and website.
• Mr Vincent Philpot, Independent Member
Requests for access to information held must be
• Mr Stan Naylor (from February 2015) made in writing and addressed to:

Risk Management The Chief Executive Officer
WMRLC
The Corporation takes a proactive approach to PO Box 3083, Nunawading, 3131
risk management, putting in place strategies,
systems, policies and procedures to ensure the Community Consultation
Corporation prevents or minimises the adverse
effects of all types of risks to its operations. The Corporation utilises a range of methods to
The following has been achieved by the gather community feedback to assist in planning
Corporation in 2014/15: and developing its library services. Consultation
and feedback occurs through community
• Internal Audit of Risk Management systems representation on the Library Board, surveys,
completed November 2014 online and written customer feedback forms,
program evaluation forms, staff working directly
• Risk Management Policy adopted by the with the community and analysis of library usage
Board on 25 February 2015 data. The results of surveys conducted are
detailed on pages 33-34.
• Risk Management Strategy and Framework
adopted by the Board on 27 May 2015

• Development of the Enterprise Risk Register
and identification of enterprise risks to be
completed in July 2015

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 23

Governance and Management Checklist

The following is a list of the Corporation’s governance and management controls.

Governance and Management Items Assessment

1 Regional Library Agreement (agreement under section Formed in accordance with section 196 of the Act.
196 of the Act that sets out the agreement between the
Cities of Whitehorse and Manningham to form a regional Date of operation of current agreement:
library) 27 March 2012

2 Library Plan (plan under sections 125 and 197D of the Act Adopted in accordance to section

that sets out the strategic objectives of the Corporation 125 and 197D of the Act

and strategies for achieving the objectives for the next Date of operation: 1 July 2013
four years)

3 Strategic Resource Plan (plan under section 126 of the Act Adopted in accordance with section 126 of the Act.
outlining the financial and non-financial resources required Date of adoption: 27 May 2015
for at least the next 4 financial years)

4 Annual Budget (plan under section 130 of the Act setting Adopted in accordance with section 130 of the Act.

out the services to be provided and initiatives to be Date of adoption: 27 May 2015
undertaken over the next 12 months and the funding and

other resources required.

5 Asset management plans (plans that set out the asset Plans
maintenance and renewal needs for key infrastructure
asset classes for at least the next 10 years) Date of operation of current plans:

Collection Resources June 2015

Corporation is working towards a plan for
management of non-collection assets and expects to
operationalise the plan in the 2015-16 year.

6 Risk Policy (policy outlining Corporation’s commitment Policy

and approach to minimising the risks to the Corporation’s Date of operation: 25 February 2015
operations)

7 Fraud Policy (outlines the Corporation’s commitment and Policy

approach to minimising the risk of fraud) Date of operation of current policy:

1 August 2013

8 Procurement policy (policy under section 186A of the Prepared and approved in accordance with section

Local Government Act 1989 outlining the matters, 186A of the Local Government Act 1989.

practices and procedures that will apply to all purchases of Date of operation of current policy: 22 April 2015
goods, services and works)

9 Business continuity plan (plan setting out the actions that Plan

will be undertaken to ensure that key services continue to Date of operation of current plan: June 2003
operate in the event of a disaster) Corporation expects to review and prepare a new plan

in the 2015-16 year.

10 ICT Disaster recovery plan (plan setting out the actions Plan
that will be undertaken to recover and restore ICT Date of operation of current plan: July 2013
infrastructure and capability in the event of a disaster)

11 Risk Management framework (outlining the Corporation’s Strategy
approach to managing risks to operations) Date of operation: 27 May 2015

12 Audit Committee (advisory whose role is to oversee While not required of Regional Library Corporations

the integrity of the Corporation’s financial reporting, under the Act, the committee was established in

processes, to oversee risks to the Corporation’s operations accordance with section 139.of the Act.

and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements) Committee established: 1998

Date of operation of current charter: June 2012

13 Internal Audit (independent accounting professionals Engaged

engaged by the Corporation to provide analyses and Current internal auditor appointment extended on
recommendations aimed at improving governance, risk and 22 April 2015 for a 12 month period.
management controls)

24 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

14 Performance reporting framework (a set of indicators LGPRF measures reported to member councils in
measuring financial and non-financial performance accordance with section 131of the Act.
indicators) Victorian Public Library Performance Indicators
reported to PLVN

Date of operation of current framework: 1 July 2014

15 Financial reporting (quarterly statements to the Library Statements presented to the Library Board in
Board under section 138 of the Act comparing budgeted accordance with section 138(1) of the Act.
revenue and expenditure with actual revenue and Date statements presented:
expenditure) 27 August 2014, 10 December 2014,
25 February 2015, 27 May 2015
16 Risk reporting (annual reports of strategic risks to the
Corporation’s operations, the likelihood and consequences No reports
of occurring and risk minimising strategies) Reason for no reports:
Reports to the Board will commence in the
17 Annual report (prepared in accordance with sections 131 2015-16 year
and 196 of the Act containing a report of operations and
audited financial statements) Considered at a Library Board meeting in accordance
with section 134 of the Act
Date of consideration: 10 December 2014

18 Board Member Code of Conduct (in accordance with Reviewed in accordance with section 76C of the Act
section 76C of the Act setting out the conduct principles Date of adoption: 11 November 2009
and dispute resolution processes to be followed by Board
Members) Reviewed in accordance with Section 197B of the Act.
Reviewed: 27 May 2015
19 Delegations (a document setting out the powers, duties
and functions of the Corporation delegated to the Chief
Executive Officer)

20 Meeting procedures (a local law governing the conduct of Meeting procedures local law made in accordance
Library Board meetings and use of the common seal) with section 197F of the Act.

Date local law made: 24 February 2010

21 Register of Interests (in accordance with section 81 of the Register maintained in accordance with section 81 of

Act, a register of declared by Board members and the Act

nominated officers)

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 25

Documents Available for Inspection

In accordance with the Local Government Act • A list of the names of organisations of
Regulations 2004, the following information which the Corporation was a member
is available for inspection upon request at the during the financial year and details of all
Administration Office, Box Hill Library, 1040 membership fees and other amounts and
Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, Victoria, 3128 during services provided during that year by each
office hours from 9.00am to 5.00pm weekdays: organisation to the Corporation

• Annual Reports for each financial year • Names of Board Members who submitted
returns of interest during the financial year
• Annual Financial Statements, including and dates returns were submitted
an operating statement, a statement of
financial position and notes to financial • Names of Corporation officers who were
statements required to submit a return of interest during
the financial year and dates returns were
• Budget for the current financial year submitted

• Current copy of the Library Plan • Details of senior officers’ total salary
packages for the current financial year and
• Local Laws of the Corporation the previous year

• Agendas and minutes for ordinary and • Details of overseas or interstate travel
special meetings of the Library Board held in undertaken in an official capacity by Board
the previous twelve months Members or any member of Corporation
staff in the previous twelve months.
• Regional Library Agreement

• Register of delegations kept under sections
87, 88 and 98 of the Act

• A list of contracts valued at $150,000
or more which the Corporation entered
into during the financial year without first
engaging in a competitive process and which
are not contracts referred to in section
186(5) of the Act

26 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Achieving Our Objectives
Access for All

Support access by all in The community contributed to the development
our community to ideas, of our collections by submitting almost
learning, information 1,900 suggestions for purchase. Our Chinese
and stories. community participated in a book selection
day to assist us in selecting resources that
Providing collections and best meet their needs. The chart indicates the
resources for our community Collection Management Strategy is aligned with
community patterns of use. There continues to
We continue to be proud that our library be a high level of use for junior material with a
collections are among the most actively used 9% increase in loans in this area compared to
in Victorian public libraries. The Collection the previous year.
Management Strategy provides the framework
for the development of our high quality Popular Reads
collection. The Strategy is reviewed annually to
ensure that the collection continues to meet the The communities of Whitehorse and
changing needs of our diverse community. Manningham had some favourite books that
were heavily borrowed throughout the year.
Here are our top fiction loans for 2014/15!

Loans by Collection Type 2014/15 Adult Fiction
1. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
2% 2. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
3. Eyrie by Tim Winton
5% 33% 4. And the Mountains Echoed
9%
by Khaled Hosseini
13% 5. Inferno by Dan Brown

14% Junior Fiction
1. Don’t Look Now. Book One by Paul Jennings
24% 2. T he Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl
3. Run for the Hills Geronimo!
Junior/Teenage
Audio Visual by Geronimo Stilton
Fiction 4. The 39-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths
Nonfiction 5. Don’t Look Now. Book Four by Paul Jennings
Lote
Periodicals
Large Print

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 27

Access for All

Support access by all in our community to ideas, learning,
information and stories.

Collection turnover rates 2014/15

Turnover rates indicate the use of collections by providing the average number of times an item is
loaned over a twelve month period. The 2014/15 rates continue to demonstrate our collections have
a high usage rate.

CALD languages
Non Fiction
Large Print

Adult Fiction
Pedometers and Discs

Junior/Teenage
Audio Visual -­Other

Periodicals
Chinese Language

Picture Books
Indepdent Readers

Bestsellers
Junior Humour

DVDs

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
Turnover Rate

Utilising new technologies and electronic formats to maximise access to collections and
information resources

The loans of eBooks and eMagazines have continued to grow over the 2014/15 period. A new range
of eBooks and eAudiobooks from BorrowBox was added to the electronic collection in January 2015,
increasing the diversity of these resources. The annual statewide 2013/14 PLVN survey indicated
that the usage turnover of digital items was ranked highest in the state.

eBooks & eMagazine Loans

Number of Loans 25000
20000
15000 eBooks (Overdrive and Borrow Box)
10000 Zinio Magazines

5000
0

2012/13 2013/14 2014/5

28 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Online Services Trends

Library members are increasingly consulting online options prior to coming into a branch, or using
online resources. This year the library catalogue has been upgraded to integrate eBook
and eMagazine loans.

A new Library website maximises access to collections and information resources, providing greater
usability through seamless access to functions and resources. The responsive format adapts to a
wide range of devices and the updated layout enhances promotion of the library’s services.

As indicated in the chart below many of our online service areas experienced a significant increase
in usage over the previous twelve months.

Online Service 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2012/13 2014/15

Hits to the Library Website 761,948 1,021,780 1,177,414 1,317,956 1,307,049*

Web renewals 447,665 468,995 502,437 560,745 563,654
120,112 209,042 279,470
Internet bookings (half hour, fixed computer) 99,343 112,003 180,509 348,496 428,977

Wireless internet sessions 28,133^ 59,974 294^ 489 692
755 940 972
Facebook Page Likes 868 949 988

New@your library subscriptions 705 715

eEvents Newsletter subscriptions 561^ 723

^ New services
* Introduction of a new website resulted in the loss of some statistical data

Reducing Barriers This year a number of new resources and
services were introduced, specifically designed
The library used a targeted program of to enhance access to a range of different
education and information programs to assist in patrons. These included:
reducing barriers to accessing resources. These
included: • AMES online – an English language online
training module based on the AMES (Adult
• A region-wide program of internet, eDevice Migrant English Service) curriculum
and computer training for library users
• Mango Languages – online language training
• eBook, eMusic and eAudiobook modules for 6 popular languages, including
demonstrations using a variety of devices English for Mandarin speakers

• Computer training sessions conducted in • Storybox – an Australian online storytelling
Chinese resource

• Online information database and library • Tumblebooks – interactive children’s eBooks
catalogue tutorials
• The installation of a video magnifier for the
• Library orientation tutorials vision impaired at Nunawading Library

• Family history tutorials

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 29

Access for All

Support access by all in our community to ideas, learning,
information and stories.

Planning for flexible library spaces that Throughout the year the HLS team provided
attract and meet evolving community needs instruction and assistance to housebound
residents who wished to connect with the library
Demand for library spaces that can using mobile device technology, providing them
accommodate a variety of personal electronic with another option to access resources without
devices has significantly increased over recent leaving their homes. eBooks and eMagazines
years. This year study benches with a power are particularly useful for those with a print
source have been installed at Nunawading and disability as they can be read on devices
The Pines Libraries, assisting to accommodate configured to their individual requirements,
these needs. increasing the visibility of the written word.

The Box Hill Library service desk was Home 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15
refurbished to streamline workflows and Library
maximise the use of new RFID technology Service
for returns and loans. The modifications Indicators
also provide patrons with an improved
customer experience at the information Home Library 41,844 43,676 42,611 43,112
and membership areas. Service
loans ^
Expanding service delivery
beyond the library walls Number of 558 512 496 466
individuals
A temporary Outreach Project Officer visited 55 56 52 55
was appointed for 6 months to assist in the
implementation of the Outreach Strategy. Number of
This role concentrated on putting together group living
an action plan according to the groups facilities
that were identified through a community visited
mapping process. It was also responsible for
recommending and implementing new initiatives. ^Excludes eResource loans

Home Library Service Challenges

Library staff coordinate volunteers who assist Responding to new technologies and the
in the delivery of Home Library Services (HLS) expectations of the community for associated
to housebound residents. HLS includes the resources and digital literacy support remains
selection and delivery of material to residents. both a challenge and an opportunity for the
They support staff at residential care facilities Library Service.
with resources for use in rehabilitation and
recreation and provide tours of the library to Providing appropriate spaces and access to
residents from group living facilities. Volunteers power remain key infrastructure challenges
and library staff regularly work with the same for the branches.
clients and have the opportunity to build
valuable relationships.

30 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Looking Forward

New and emerging collections will
continue to be reviewed, including
an investigation into the feasibility
of introducing an electronic
Chinese Language collection.

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 31

Service Excellence

Commitment to delivering a high quality library service that
is valued by our community.

A strong customer focused City of Whitehorse 2012 2013 2014
culture Community Survey 90% 95% 93%

The Customer Service Charter outlines our Libraries satisfaction
commitment to providing customer service that is rating
focused on meeting or exceeding expectations. It
is delivered by skilled, motivated and respectful Manningham City Council Community
staff, providing the best outcome for the library Satisfaction Survey
customer.
Manningham City Council participates in the
Whitehorse Community Survey Department of Transport, Planning and Local
Infrastructure Community Satisfaction Survey.
The City of Whitehorse Annual Residents Survey The survey does not collect data specifically in
conducted in November 2014 found that 91% of relation to libraries, but looks at Councils’ core
respondents considered libraries to be important, services. This year additional questions were
with 66% considering the service to be critical limited to recreation facilities, elderly support
and 26% considering the service to be quite services and waste management. In 2015
important. This compared with fewer than 70% residents gave an indexed score of 76 for the
of respondents who considered any other service performance of recreation facilities.
important.

Residents have been consistently satisfied with
library services in the City of Whitehorse.

Regional Libraries Survey On a scale from 1 “Not at All Important” to 10
“Extremely Important”, the Total Syndicate mean
The Regional Libraries Syndicate survey involved rating this year is 8.87 out of a possible 10 for
7 Victorian library regions. The survey took place the importance of the library to the community.
in January and February 2015 and measured user This is marginally down on the 9.02 recorded
satisfaction. The latest survey again reflects in 2013. Within Whitehorse Manningham, the
that, regardless of their own library usage, people corresponding mean rating this year is 9.03, with
place a high degree of importance on the provision 97% of respondents rating importance a score
of a comprehensive public library service being of 6 or higher.
provided in their council area.

Service Area WMRLC WMRLC Total Syndicate
results 2013 results 2014 results 2014
Overall customer satisfaction
Importance of the library to the community 8.6 8.2 8.3
Staff helpfulness and courtesy 8.8 9.0 8.9
Satisfaction with lending services 8.6 8.4 8.4
Ease of locating book or information 8.4 8.1 8.2
Reference and information services 8.3 7.9 8.0
Ease of using the library catalogue 7.9 7.9 7.9
Ease of using the library website to find information 8.4 8.0 7.9
Range and quality of library services via the internet 8.0 7.9 7.9
Range and quality of books for children 7.9 7.8 7.8
Events and activities for children 8.1 7.8 7.8
Events and activities for adults 7.9 7.7 7.7
Range and quality of books for adults 7.6 7.3 7.3
Range and quality of audiovisual materials 8.2 8.0 8.0
7.4 7.3 7.3

# All scoring is a rating out of 10.Aligning staff skills with community needs

32 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Aligning staff skills with community needs Staff Profile

A team of dedicated and experienced staff As of 30 June 2015, we had a total of 130
are responsible for delivering library services employees or 73.93 full-time equivalent (FTE)
to the community. Staff are provided with compared with 135 employees or 73.37 FTE
an opportunity to review their performance at 30 June 2014. Whilst the overall number
each year through a formal Performance of employees has decreased the FTE has not
Development Review process and contribute changed significantly due to a number of part
to their training plan for the year ahead. time employees increasing their hours of work
when vacancies have become available.
The Corporation developed a People and Skills
Strategy to ensure that staff resources are A summary of the number of FTE corporation
aligned to service delivery needs. This year a staff by department, employment type and
number of roles were reviewed and redesigned gender is set out below. It should be noted
when they became vacant. A minor restructure that both Technical Services staff and
of the Technical Services department was Administration staff also undertake branch
undertaken and resourcing redirected to direct services duties on a regular basis. Shelvers
service delivery. comprise approximately 54% of the casual
staff pool.

A high proportion of the workforce continues to
be female and employed in a part time capacity.

Employment type/gender Branch Technical ICT Corporate Services Total
Services Services and Administration
Permanent FT – female 21
Permanent FT – male 15 3 3 7
Permanent PT – female 4 1 2 60
Permanent PT – Male 49 3 7
Casual – Female 4 8 28
Casual – Male 28 7 3 7
Total 7 130
5 11
107

Staff Profile 30 June 2015 Gender Profile 30 June 2015

16%

27% 21%

52% 84%

Part-time Female
Casual Male
Full-time

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 33

Service Excellence

Commitment to delivering a high quality library service that
is valued by our community.

A summary of the number of FTE staff Training initiatives have included:
categorised by employment classification and
gender is set out below. • Manual handling

Employment Female Male Total • Internal training focused on the delivery of
classification FTE FTE FTE electronic resources and devices

Band 3 24.46 5.51 29.97 • Emergency response and First Aid training
Band 4 11.16 11.16
Band 5 17.93 1 18.93 • ITIL certification
Band 6 4.87 3 7.87
Band 7 1 • Local government induction
Band not applicable 4 5
1 10.51 1 • Writing for the web
Total
63.42 73.93 • Games based events

Learning and Development • Bibliotherapy

Staff are encouraged to develop their • Participation at conferences and industry
capabilities through a range of learning and workshops
development opportunities offered through
the Staff Development Program. Over 2,000 In line with best value principles, vacant
hours of staff training and professional training spaces have been offered to library
development was provided by a range of staff from neighbouring Councils. This new
external and internal experts. initiative has assisted in reducing some training
costs to the Corporation as participants from
In 2014/15 the Corporation experienced a other organisations have contributed to the
higher staff turnover rate (7%) than the previous consultancy fees.
year (1.05%), due to a number of employees
retiring or gaining external promotions. This had
a significant impact on the small ICT department
as movement of three positions occurred
within a twelve month period. A number of long
term employees retired after between 20 and
43 years of service with the Corporation and
the former City of Nunawading. As a result of
these factors a significant component of the
staff Learning and Development program was
dedicated to induction and compliance training
for new appointments.

34 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Adopting industry best practice Workcover

The Corporation aims to provide a work place The Corporation maintains a Workcover
that is a safe and welcoming environment insurance policy to provide benefit cover for
to both library users and staff. A range of employees who are injured or become ill because
strategies are used to ensure that the wellbeing of their work. The insurance premium incurred
of staff is supported through the provision of by the Corporation is determined by its claims
best practice working conditions. performance rated against the library industry
rate. In 2014/15 this rating was 14.01% better
Staff Wellbeing than the industry average.

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is Enterprise Bargaining Agreement
available to all employees and their immediate
family. The program includes an email service in An Enterprise Bargaining Committee comprising
addition to personal counselling and telephone of management representatives, staff delegates
referral services. Our EAP providers also and a union industrial officer was established
delivered training to the branch management to negotiate a new Enterprise Agreement for
team to assist supervisors in supporting staff WMRLC employees. A three year Agreement
wellbeing. The program is reviewed on a regular was successfully negotiated and certified by
basis and this year resulted in a change of the Fair Work Commission on 17 September
service provider. It is anticipated that some 2014. The new Agreement makes provision for
savings will result from the change, without employees experiencing family violence.
any reduction in the level of service available
to staff. Equal Employment Opportunity

Safe and Healthy Workplace The Corporation’s policy and practices aim
to ensure that the workplace is free of
The Corporation continues to ensure that it discrimination, bullying and harassment, where
meets its Occupational Health and Safety all are treated equally with respect and dignity.
(OH&S) obligations. There is an ongoing review Trained Contact Officers are available to
of the Corporation’s health and safety processes provide a first point of confidential contact
and regular risk assessments are conducted and information for employees on equal
at worksites. The OH&S Committee meets opportunity issues.
bi-monthly and minutes of meetings are made
available to all employees. General EEO and Bullying Awareness training
was provided to all new staff, including an online
Our staff undertook over 700 hours of health learning option to extend access for part time
and safety training during the 2014/15 and casual staff.
year including Induction, Manual Handling,
Workstation Ergonomics, Fire Warden, Equal The process for appointing EEO Contact
Opportunity and Bullying Awareness and First Officers was reviewed in 2014/15, resulting in
Aid Officer training. Staff who had not received the appointment of two new Contact Officers.
manual handling training for a number of years All Contact Officers receive training to support
attended seminars to refresh their skills in them in the role.
this area. A manual handling review and
assessment was undertaken for the ICT
work area and practices.

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 35

Service Excellence

Commitment to delivering a high quality library service that
is valued by our community.

Delivering a library service Challenges
that provides best value for
investment. The ICT department experienced a change in
three key staff members within a twelve month
Information Communication Technology period. The resulting loss of site knowledge and
temporary vacancies during the recruitment
A small ICT team support over 400 workstations periods made ongoing service delivery a
and servers located throughout the branch challenge at times. All positions have been
libraries and the Whitehorse Town Hall Hub. filled and documentation of processes has been
undertaken to ensure continuity of knowledge
Substantial information technology into the future.
infrastructure changes have continued
throughout the year to ensure the stability Internet demand and usage patterns within the
and security of the library service’s computer library are changing as the internet continues
network. In order to keep pace with demand to evolve. The demand for streaming internet
for high speed internet a new fibre optic content and real time information is driving
connection was established. significant exponential growth in internet
bandwidth utilisation. This increase in demand
Achievements within the information technology has shown no signs of abating.
environment have included:
Looking Forward
• Internet capacity upgrades to cope with
further significant internet usage across An upgrade of the public Standard Operating
both Wi-Fi and desktop environments Environment will occur in 2016 to provide an
improved customer experience for library users.
• Migration from seven ADSL2+ links to a
200MB optic fibre link Printing from Wi-Fi enabled devices is currently
being explored as a customer
• Collaboration with Manningham YMCA to service enhancement.
provide equipment and staff to deliver the
Doncaster Pixel Arcade games nights

• Installation of new RFID equipment at the
Box Hill and Nunawading Libraries

• ITIL certification of ICT staff to ensure a
best practice environment is established.

The high level of internet use can be
demonstrated by the usage statistics of
October 2014. In this month there were 25,349
internet kiosk sessions and 47,602 Wi-Fi
sessions that resulted in just over 4 terabytes
of data traversing the internet gateway.

36 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

“I am so in
love with your
technology!”

– Nunawading Patron

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 37

Awareness

Build a high level of awareness of Whitehorse Manningham
Library services in the local community.

Developing and promoting Targeting non-users and hard to reach
library services sectors of the community

The Corporation provides an annual calendar The Outreach Department makes connections
of events focused on engaging readers and into the wider community through providing
providing them with opportunities to learn and library services to underserved groups, in
connect with others in the community. A strong settings outside the library. This involves
area of focus continues to be the development connecting, delivering, partnering, collaborating
of a culture of reading. It has been exciting to and fostering engagement and social inclusion,
see renewed vigour in our book circles this year. both within the library buildings and outside the
library walls.
Due to community demand technology
has become a large aspect of adult events Community outreach focuses on the following
programming. Along with the ongoing areas:
development of our computer classes, this
year has seen the introduction of topics such • Non-library users
as 3D printing, game design and creating blogs.
• CALD communities
Successful programs designed for our adult
community held throughout the two cities • Disadvantaged sectors in the community
included:
• People with disabilities and mobility issues
• Book Circles at Box Hill, Doncaster,
Blackburn and Nunawading Libraries • At risk youth

• Genie Matters group This year the following strategies were initiated
to assist in connecting with hard to reach
• eBook competition on Facebook, asking sectors of the community:
patrons to take photos of themselves
enjoying an eBook • eResources programs delivered at
retirement villages
• Library tours for students
• Partnerships fostered with Council
• Acknowledging the Centenary anniversary departments
of the landing of Gallipoli through a series of
talks. This included Indigenous Australians in • The re-design of a Branch Manager’s role to
WWI and The Only Woman at Gallipoli. include responsibility for CALD services

• Talks by the following authors: Bill • Bibliotherapy for Depression Bookmark
Robertson, Sian Prior, Isobelle Carmody, Jim created in partnership with mental health
Poulter, Carolyn Hirsh, Lissanne Oliver, and service providers EACH and Reconnexion
Hannie Rayson
• Planning for a new Bibliotheraphy program to
• FONL’s Annual Literary Afternoon Tea at be delivered in 2015/16
the Nunawading Library with author Helen
Garner as guest speaker. Helen shared her • Participation on the Manningham Community
literary journey with over 100 guests Services Forum

• Persian Storytime

38 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Delivering services and Youth Programs
programs to parents and
children Programs are delivered by a dedicated team of
librarians and provide children and their families
It has been another successful year of delivering with the following benefits:
programs, collections and services to families
across our two municipalities. There has been • Encouraging an awareness and love of books
a continued growth in demand for early literacy and reading
programs and junior reading material.
Satisfying high demand for junior literacy • Introducing children to the written word for
programs with finite staff resources continues educational purposes
to be challenging. To address this issue
additional staff have been trained to support • Encouraging a greater familiarity with oral
the Youth Services team in presenting children’s and written English
programs. The regular schedule of early
literacy programs was reviewed resulting • Providing an opportunity to engage with
in a more simplified schedule. other members of the community

Participation in youth events continues to
grow, with demand for early literacy programs
especially high. This year there was a slight
reduction in participation in Storytime and Baby
Karaoke but these were offset by participation
in Tiny Tots, Homework Clubs and school holiday
activities. The introduction of a Lego Club at the
Pines Library has been so successful that it will
be introduced at other locations in 2015/16.

Early Literacy and Youth Programs Attendances 2014/15

70,000

60,0000

50,000

40,000 Total Youth Programs Attendances
30,000 Storytime
20,000 Tiny Tots
10,000 Baby karaoke
Holiday activities
0 Other (Homework club, Noisy minors,
Lego club, external visits)

2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 39

Awareness

Build a high level of awareness of Whitehorse Manningham
Library services in the local community.

Early Literacy Range of Programs

The benefits of early literacy programs are wide The Youth Services Team delivers a wide range
reaching, providing children with an opportunity of programs to parents, preschoolers, young
to learn in a relaxed environment and their children and teenagers. In addition to the regular
carers with socialisation, bonding, learning early literacy programs the following groups and
and networking opportunities. The Corporation programs were offered to parents, children and
also delivers regular bi-lingual storytimes in teenagers in 2014/15:
Chinese, Italian, Persian and Greek which are
well attended. The early literacy programs • Early literacy talks and parent information
are well supported by our collections. Junior packs are given to new mothers.
fiction loans experienced a 9% increase
which is in direct contrast to other areas of • Summer Reading Club; 754 registrations
the physical collection. (20% increase on previous year)

• School holiday program; a range of craft
activities, games and performances
attracting 5,332 attendances (increase of
42% on previous year)

• Lego club

• Author visits for special events

• Information and education sessions
for parents

• National Simultaneous Storytime

• Anzac Centenary educational experience
called “Unsung Heroes of Australian History”

• Homework help; free support service
provided at Box Hill and Doncaster libraries.
There were 743 attendances at these
support sessions which is an increase
on last year.

40 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Challenges Looking Forward

The implementation of the Outreach The launch of a new visual brand for the
Strategy places demands on library staff Corporation will provide an opportunity
to deliver programs and services both within to widely market the library service.
the library and off-site. Balancing the
demands of the two with staff resources A new event booking service will be
will require careful consideration. implemented in 2015/16. The new service will
allow online reservations and payments to be
made for youth services events.

Development and implementation of a
CALD service strategy.

Through the mapping of CALD communities
identify relevant leaders and develop
meaningful, sustainable connections that
are responsive to their community.

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 41

Collaboration

Building community capacity through collaborative service
delivery and funding opportunities.

Working with community Working with our community partners enables
partners the Corporation to plan and develop library
services relevant to local needs. WMRLC values
The Corporation actively participates in the partners we have worked with over the
partnerships with the Cities of Whitehorse and last year and looks forward to growing further
Manningham and a number of other agencies. partnerships in the future.

Partnerships and Collaborations in 2014/15

Initiative / Program Delivered in Partnership with:

Ajani Community Hub Partnership Project Living and Learning at Ajani
Alice in Wonderland Storytime Manningham Cultural Services
In partnership with Whitehorse Tree Education
Attracting birds to backyards Program and Birdlife Melbourne
Manningham City Council, Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue Roadshow EACH Social and Community Health and Reconnexion
Bibliotherapy for Depression Bookmark Louise Multicultural Centre
Book Buddies Program Manningham Community Health
Bulleen Library visits for isolated clients Doncare Chinese Family Playgroup
Cantonese Storytime Chinese Community Social Services Centre
Chinese New Year Cantonese Storytime Australian Communications and Media Authority
(ACMA)
Cybersafety Training Cities of Whitehorse and Manningham Maternal
and Child Health
Early Literacy Talks and Parent Information City of Whitehorse
Packs FONL, Children’s Literature Australia Network,
Fair Trade display and coffee cart National Education and Employment Foundation,
Dymocks
Festival of Fun Bulleen Plaza

Fiesta Italia at Bulleen Library Anzac Day at Federation Square
5,000 poppies project – collection point at
Doncaster Library Manningham Council “Kids in Nature”
school holiday program
Gardening Storytime City of Whitehorse
FONL
Grow your own veggies workshop Youth Connexions – City of Whitehorse
Helen Garner – Literary Afternoon Tea Spotlight
Homework Help City of Whitehorse
Knitting for Iraq Rotary Club of Forest Hill and City of Whitehorse
Installing and maintaining rainwater tanks
Larry the Lorikeet book launch

42 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Partnerships and Collaborations in 2014/15

Initiative / Program Delivered in Partnership with:

Lego Club FONL
Library tours and educational sessions Adult Multicultural Education Service (AMES)
Live well in Bulleen Project Manningham City Council
Maintaining mature trees City of Whitehorse
Manningham Healthy Lifestyle Week events Manningham City Council

Manningham Heritage Week Manningham City Council
Movie Nights Manningham YMCA, FONL

National Reconciliation Week Dreamtime Manningham City Council and Manningham Gallery
Storytime

Pedometer and disc loans Manningham City Council
Pixel Arcade Gaming Nights Manningham YMCA
Poetry Readings at Box Hill Library Wordsmiths of Melbourne
Pop Up Park – storytimes at MC Square Manningham City Council
Power supply – online tools for selection Department of Business and Innovation
Presentations to library studies students Box Hill TAFE
Refugee and Migrant Human Library event Manningham City Council
Summer Read State Library of Victoria
Summer Reading Club FONL
Talking Rubbish City of Whitehorse
Victorian Poetry Slam Heats State Library Victoria
Warrandyte History Talks Warrandyte Historical Society

Whitehorse Heritage Week – Celebrating City of Whitehorse
Family Stories and This Vermont

Whitehorse Spring Festival library City of Whitehorse
information stall

Whitehorse Tertiary Business Skills Program City of Whitehorse, Deakin University

Youth Services Expo Manningham/Boroondara school focussed services

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 43

Collaboration

Building community capacity through collaborative service
delivery and funding opportunities.

Volunteer Opportunities The Book Buddies program is provided in
collaboration with the Louise Multicultural
WMRLC encourages and supports the Centre and has been in place since 2009.
involvement of volunteers in the development Community volunteers meet with adults learning
and delivery of the library services. Volunteers English to provide them with an opportunity
receive the opportunity to engage in worthwhile to improve their English language skills in an
and meaningful work that draws appropriately informal setting.
on their abilities, skills and experience.
Community Service placements are provided
The Corporation values the skills and experience to secondary school students who are working
that volunteers bring and the opportunities they towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award or as a
provide to extend and enhance library services. requirement of their broader curriculum.

A group of dedicated volunteers assist in the Fourteen volunteer “Books” were recruited
delivery of a number of services, including to participate in a Migrant and Refugee
Literacy, Home Library Services and Homework Human Library event held in partnership
Help Programs. The invaluable contribution that with Manningham Council.
volunteers make to the service is acknowledged
each year at an annual volunteer function.

Our Volunteers 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15

Home Library Service Volunteers 60 58 62 59
Book Buddy Volunteers 10 10 8 10
Homework Club Volunteer Tutors 4
Community Service Students 6 4 4
Human Library Book Volunteers ^ 11 15 15 11
26 n/a 32 14
^ Program not held each year

Challenges
Identifying potential partnership funding
opportunities to assist with the delivery of
programs and services can be challenging.

Looking Forward

The Corporation looks forward to celebrating
its 20th anniversary in 2016 with an exciting
calendar of library and partnership events
and programs.

44 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

“I really
appreciate the
excellent service
we borrowers get
at the library”

– Vermont South Patron

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 45

A Strong Future

Secure WMRLC’S ongoing position as a financially
sustainable and relevant service.

The Corporation has established a continuous Attendance at industry conferences and
cycle of review, improvement, consultation and workshops is vital to keep abreast of trends and
reporting to ensure the ongoing achievement emerging technologies. Conferences also provide
of Best Value principles. Each year an an opportunity for staff to highlight significant
audit of identified areas takes place, with achievements and share project outcomes. This
recommendations for improvement supplied year library staff represented the Corporation at:
by the auditor. Internal audits this year
included Occupational Health and Safety, • SPUN conference
Risk Management and Cash Handling practices.
• ALIA conference
Advocacy and Leadership
• PLVN workshops and Special Interest Group
The Corporation continues to play a strong meetings
leadership role to ensure the ongoing relevance
of the public library. This is achieved through • FE users group conference
maintaining ongoing relationships with
community leaders and promoting the value of • Beyond the Walls Auslib conference
public library services. Library staff participate
in professional bodies, networks and user groups • Reading Matters conference
to share knowledge, information and experiences.
They advocate the importance of public libraries • Procurement Australia conference
to the community. The Corporation is represented
in statewide forums such as Libmark and PLVN Developing Future Leaders
Special Interest Groups covering areas such as
youth services, information technology, local A range of different opportunities were available
history, multiculturalism and genealogy. to staff to develop their leadership and advocacy
skills.
The Chief Executive Officer regularly meets with
leaders from other Regional Library Corporations In 2014/15:
to discuss issues relevant to the sector. This is in
addition to attendance at PLVN meetings. PLVN • The Chief Executive Officer participated
is the peak body for Victorian public libraries. in the 2015 LGPro Executive Leadership
The CEO also represents the Corporation by Program.
participating in the following groups and forums:
• Presentations were made to students
• Manningham Community Partnerships and enrolled in library studies at Box Hill
Community Development Grants panels Institute by the Manager Collections and
Information Services.
• Bulleen Live Well Reference Group
• The Manager Corporate Services and
• Manningham Access and Equity Advisory Manager Collections and Information
Committee Services delivered a presentation on the
Volunteer Tablet Tutor program at the ALIA
• Manningham Community Services Forum Library Stars conference.

• MC Square Governance Committee • Doncaster Branch / Outreach Manager in
partnership with Manningham YMCA staff
• PLVN/SLV State-wide Projects Lead and delivered a presentation on the Pixel Arcade
Learn Working Group partnership program at the State Library for
a PLVN conference.

• A staff member graduated from the Opening
the Doors Community Leadership Program in
December 2014.

46 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15

Work Experience Opportunities Financial Sustainability and
Good Governance
An annual program of work experience and
industry placement opportunities for secondary The Corporation has a four year Strategic
and higher education students helps to promote Resource Plan (SRP) identifying how resources
public libraries as a career choice. This year will be used to implement the four year
the Corporation provided 11 secondary school Library Plan. The Corporation has a strategic
students, two TAFE students and one University commitment to continue the Regional Library’s
student with work placements. The Corporation operations on a financially sustainable basis.
was also successful in an application to the Financial objectives are reviewed annually, with
Whitehorse Tertiary Business Skills Program to the financial plan adjusted accordingly wherever
have a Deakin Marketing student placed with parameters have changed. More information
the library service in July 2015. is available on the Corporation’s financial
performance on pages 17-20.

Library Strategic Plan 2013-2017

The Corporation is required under the Local
Government Act (1989) to identify its strategic
direction in a four-year plan. The new four year
Library Plan was adopted by the Library Board
in May 2013 and came into effect in July 2013.
An Annual Action Plan is devised to detail the
actions that will be implemented to achieve the
objectives and key strategies articulated in the
Library Plan.

“Great class, Policies and Procedures
very helpful,
much appreciated” In accordance with Best Value Principles,
policies and procedures are reviewed on a
– The Pines Library Patron regular basis to ensure their relevance to staff
after computer class and the achievement of organisational goals and
objectives. Following recommendations from
the Audit Committee, a Risk Management Policy
and Risk Management Strategy was developed
and adopted by the Board. Other Corporation
policies reviewed or implemented in the
2014/15 period include:

• Sponsorship Policy

• Procurement Policy

• Credit Card Policy

• Instrument of Delegations

• Workplace Bullying and Occupational
Violence Policy

• Information Privacy Policy

• Public Access Technology Conditions of Use

• Corporation Email, Internet and
Intranet Policy

• Return to Work Policy

• Bushfire Policy

• Fleet and Vehicle Safety Policy

Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15 47

A Strong Future

Commitment to Environmental Challenges
Sustainability
The less than anticipated State Government
The Corporation works in partnership with grant and decreased operating income from user
the Cities of Whitehorse and Manningham to charges and interest have placed pressure on
deliver sustainable initiatives throughout the the library budget in 2014/15.
region. The Green Office Team continues to
develop strategies to encourage recycling and Looking Forward
reduce waste.
Additional funding from the member Councils
Sustainability initiatives include: will be received in 2015/16 to implement risk
management issues identified by the Audit
• Recycling systems for paper, cardboard, Committee, including the completion of the
batteries, toner cartridges and plastics Asset Management project.

• Resource recovery services utilised for all
retired hardware

• Hardware replacement had an increased
focus on energy efficiency to reduce energy
consumption

• Discarded discs recycled

• Recycling bins at all sites

• Sale of reusable library bags

A range of programs promoting environmental
sustainability have been delivered in partnership
with the Cities of Whitehorse and Manningham
including:

• Grow your own veggies workshop

• Rainwater tanks

• Talking Rubbish display at Nunawading

• Maintaining mature trees

• Participation in the Whitehorse Spring
Festival and Manningham Spring Recycling
Festival

• Whitehorse Sustainable Living Week

48 Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation Annual Report 2014/15