As front-line service providers, council public libraries have to respond to Australia’s changing demographic profile. In this blog, Jim shares how some libraries in South Australia are planning to do just that.
The results of the 2016 Census show that Australia is changing – and faster than ever before. Population growth is high, diversity is increasing, plus there is an increasing number of older people (ageing) in many regions.
Council Public Libraries are at the centre of community services – and highly used and appreciated. They are usually rated as the most valued of all Council services provided.
What then, are libraries doing to respond to the rapidly changing demographic landscape, to ensure they remain relevant and highly valued by their changing communities?
Background
Some months ago the Public Library Service (SA) facilitated a workshop for SA Council Public Libraries.
Partnering with .id, the workshop was designed to capture and share ideas about how libraries are changing to meet changing community needs driven by changing demographics and economic conditions. Staff from more than 20 council libraries attended the workshop.
Methodology
A group discussion was held to determine which aspects of demographic change would most likely drive changes to library operations and service delivery. These common themes were developed:
What characteristics of demographic change would drive changes to library programs/collections/planning?
- Population
- Employment (including working population vs resident population)
- Net migration
- Household type
- Languages spoken at home
- Recent arrivals (overseas migration)
- Birthplace, Ancestry
- Need for assistance (disability and frail aged)
- Volunteering, Care, Childcare
- Age profile
- Number or % of households with no car
- Number or % of households with access to the internet
- SEIFA Index
Each council was then given detailed demographic information about their key demographic data and was asked to consider the key factors driving demographic change in their areas and what they can do to meet the changing demand.
They were asked the following question:
Review your demographic profile. What does this say about your area?
- What’s changing?
- What would you take into account with respect to your library service?
- What actions/programs/plans would you put in place to deal with the changing needs of the community?
- Brainstorm and provide your ideas back to the group
Results
The combined “Brains trust” of over 20 libraries came up with some excellent responses – and show the progressive way libraries will continue to lead their communities and provide a range of highly valued services (if you work with council, and your council is also facing significant change, you may get some great ideas from these results):
Here’s some of what they came up with, in response to their changing demographics – with an eye on the future too.
Themes and drivers
1. Growing population, leading to increased demand for services and access
- Ensure the library has adequate transport links and parking
- Open 24/7 to cater for working population and changes to the way people want to interact with services
- Provide combined community services/library services/health services/post office
- Integrate services (e.g. outreach community care)
- Provide more flexibility with community bus routes and times
- Provide drone deliveries for remote areas (future)
- Drive through service for book/resource pickup and return
- Introduce a self-service library (including charging hubs) at bus/train stations
- Ensure all shelves are on wheels –libraries to have flexible spaces
- Review opening hours
2. Employment – resident workers vs local workforce
This issue is a common occurrence for many councils, where many local residents may work in another council area (and/or many local workers may live in another council area). This could mean many of your local residents can’t access your library in working hours – and also that some of your daytime customers may be working in your council area, but live elsewhere.
- Run adult programs on the weekend when more people can attend
- Develop a small business hub – volunteers with expertise delivering courses, short course for hobbies, businesses
- Ensure good WiFi
- Make available training spaces
- Technology
- Literacy
- Partner more with volunteers to utilise/share their knowledge and skills (skills transfer to the younger population)
- Provide study/work spaces for telecommuting or an alternative to working at home
- Trial different opening hours
- Open 24/7 to cater for working population and changes to the way people want to interact with services
- Provide multiple service points
- Provide after-hours access to a number of services
- Increase co-operation with community centres
- Review provision of computers and desks for people to use their own Laptops
- Run return to work skills programs (resumes, interview skills, dressing)
3. Employment – encouraging “Seniorpreneurs”
Especially in areas of ageing population/increase in retirees, many retirees are still keen to seek part-time work, including working for themselves.
- Free sessions on – NBN, Technology advice
- IT support and training
4. Changing trends in Household Type – especially growth in older, lone person households
An increase in older lone person households can lead to the potential for increased social isolation
- Provide more flexibility with community bus routes and times
- Introduce social support programs, promotion of groups to reduce social isolation
- Engage more closely with the older community to seek ideas and desired services
5. Ageing population
A significant increase in older (65+) population is a trend shown in many council areas.
- Engage more closely with the older community to seek ideas and desired services
- Promote e-resources for travellers (likely with more retirees)
- Provide drone deliveries for remote areas (future)
- Provide gopher chargers, home delivery, focus on senior programs, connection to services
- Provide programs for disabled
- Establish Carer support programs
- Improve accessibility
- Support home deliveries
- Provide IT support and training (Digital literacy for seniors)
- Promote e-resources for travellers (likely with more retirees)
- Provide free sessions on – NBN, Technology advice
- Introduce an “adopt a grandparent” program, school outreach
- Encourage holiday bookings/facilitate buying and selling groups
- Provide health/wellbeing activities (e.g. tai chi, yoga, meditation)
6. Increase in Recent arrivals and emerging languages spoken at home
Many councils are experiencing a significant growth in diversity as new migrants from various countries make Australia their home.
- Increase multi-cultural programming e.g. ESL programs, community language exchange
- Improve collections in emerging languages and birthplace groups
- Establish a Community kitchen
- Review LOTE (Languages other than English) collections and programs for relevance
- Provide New Programs – conversation English, cooking classes (nutrition), financial skills (Budgeting, shopping)
- Run Multicultural/multi-language storytime, provide prayer rooms, reflection rooms
7. Volunteering
Along with ageing, many councils are experiencing an increase in potential volunteers – but these volunteers may wish to participate by utilising their skills most effectively.
- Establish training for small business hub, assist with developing new business, mentoring from experienced volunteers, especially retirees.
- Partner more with volunteers to utilise/share their knowledge and skills (skills transfer to younger population)
- Tailor programs around volunteer expertise
- Use volunteers for home deliveries, assist with technology access for seniors
8. Transport (car ownership)
In council areas that have low car ownership per household, other transport options are especially important. In other areas, car ownership can be high, but often alternate transport options may be limited.
- Ensure adequate car parking
- Ensure adequate transport links (e.g community bus)
- Provide home deliveries
9. Low internet access
Some regions still show poor access to the internet – leading to potential issues for education and access to services.
- For those with poor or no internet – be aware and create/promote programs
- Provide good WI-FI
- Provide more PC’s, allow longer access times
10. Low SEIFA
SEIFA is an indicator of social-economic disadvantage. In areas with low SEIFA scores, there may be action taken by libraries to identify and alleviate some aspects of disadvantage through library services.
- Increase awareness of services
- Provide a range of free programs including social, educative and youth workshops
- Provide public access computers and internet
- Ensure adequate transport links (e.g. community bus)
- Run return to work skills programs (resumes, interview skills, dressing)
Is your community undergoing significant change?
If you work with a council Library, and would be interested in participating in a similar workshop in your area, get in touch with us here, and tell us what changes you’ve seen in your area.
Otherwise, using tools like profile.id and atlas.id can help identify aspects of change, including detailed analysis of specific geographies and catchment areas for your libraries.
