SSHRCNon-Peer ReviewedAustralia has widely embraced the joint use library structure. Many Australian states have guidelines around joint use libraries and the Australian Library and Information Association has developed its own policy. In particular, the state of South Australia has over forty joint use libraries and is unique in its statewide programmatic approach to school-community libraries. The purpose of this research project was to learn from the robust South Australian experience in establishing, working with, and managing rural and remote joint use libraries.
Initially the research project aimed to look broadly at the variety of joint use library models in place in the state. Visits to joint use libraries near Adelaide and in the southeastern corner of the state, initial discussions with the Interim Director of the State Library, and further reading resulted in a narrowing of the project’s focus. Ultimately, the project explored the potential of the South Australian school-community library program as a model for rural and remote community libraries. Research questions focused on what is working well with the program and where there are challenges.
This report is a summary of what was heard during the project’s data-gathering phase, between August and December 2018. The report contains no recommendations, as the purpose of the project was to learn from the current school-community library program in South Australia, not to review it. The report was provided to the Libraries Board of South Australia, the Department for Education (South Australia), and the Local Government Association (South Australia) to help inform their work in delivering library services to schools and communities across the state
