Annual Report

2018/19
Our Vision
We connect, empower and inspire our
communities.

Our Mission
To deliver library services that are accessible,
relevant and support the social, cultural and
economic needs of our communities.

Our Values

Community Teamwork Innovation Respect

 Annual Report 2018/19 1

Contents

From the Chairperson 2

From the CEO 3

About Goulburn Valley Libraries 4

Our Board 5

Governance 7

Our People 8

Highlights 11

Library Operations 12

Online Library 20

Collections 22

Library Performance 2018/19 26

Directory 32
2 Goulburn Valley Libraries

From the Chairperson

I am pleased to provide this report We have been very supportive of

as Chairperson of Goulburn Valley
Libraries for my second term.
Our libraries are continuing to
provide much need services to
our communities as they evolve
to provide many community
services and life long learning
opportunities, beyond the
traditional lending services.
Our Board have supported the
removal of overdue fees and
a fairer fee structure for our
community meeting rooms. We
will continue to focus on removing
barriers to participation in our
libraries.
The Board welcomes Cr Kate
Stothers from Strathbogie Shire
and said farewell to Cr Debra
Bower who had served on the
Board for many years including
stints as Chairperson and Deputy
Chairperson.
the state wide “Libraries Change
Lives” advocacy campaign. It is
clear that our libraries contribute
so much to our communities as
demonstrated by the “Libraries
Work” report that showed that for
every $1 the community spends on
Public Libraries $4.30 of benefits
is returned to the community.
We will continue to lobby and
advocate for better funding for
libraries as they struggle to meet
community needs and expectations
in our growing communities.
I would like to thank our dedicated
staff for their continued service,
advice and commitment to our
communities throughout the year.
I commend this report to all our
stakeholders.
Seema Abdullah
Chairperson

We have overseen progress in the  

plans for new library developments
at Tatura and Yarrawonga and look
forward to the opening of much
better facilities in coming years.
 Annual Report 2018/19 3

From the CEO

2018/19 has been another year of • Approval of our new Enterprise

continued progress for Goulburn Agreement 2018 by the Fair
Valley Libraries in the delivery of Work Commission
our Library Plan 2018-22, despite
• Implementation of a new online
very tight financial constraints. Our
rostering and timesheet system
staff have worked hard to deliver
“Deputy”
services for our communities.
• Implementation of a new online
Highlights of the year have
collections management system,
included:
“Collections HQ”
• Increased membership and
• Recognition of Cobram
growth in loans
Library in National and State
• Continued growth and use in Architectural Awards
our eResources
• Working with new VAGO
• Continued improvements in appointed auditors to ensure
collection quality proper financial governance of
the Corporation.
• Launching the statewide
Libraries Change Lives campaign Finally, I would like to thank our
dedicated management team
• Further development of the
and staff who have continued to
plans for a new Yarrawonga
support positive change for the
Library
benefit of our member Councils
• Successful funding application and communities.
for the redevelopment and
expansion of the Tatura Library
Kevin Preece
and commencement of detailed
CEO
design
 
• Review of our fees and charges
including the removal of
overdue fees

• Adoption of a standardised
and revised meeting room fee
schedule that removed fees for
community groups
4 Goulburn Valley Libraries

About Goulburn Valley Libraries

Goulburn Valley Libraries provides library services
to the communities in the municipalities of Greater
Shepparton City Council, Moira Shire and Strathbogie
Shire. We serve a population of 105,5131 people over
an area of 9,7721 square kilometres.
We operate 10 libraries by agreement in the towns
of Cobram, Euroa, Mooroopna, Nagambie, Nathalia,
Numurkah, Tatura, Violet Town, Yarrawonga and the
city of Shepparton. We also operate a Mobile Library
service that serves smaller towns and communities
within the region.

A Central Administration centre in Shepparton

supports the library operations by providing shared
support services and logistics.

Library
Mobile library service

Bearii Moira Shire

Strathmerton Cobram

Barmah Picola Katunga

Waaia
Yarrawonga
Nathalia Katamatite

Numurkah Tungamah

Tallygaroopna
St James
Katandra West

Sirius College Dookie

Merrigum
Greater Mooroopna
Shepparton
South Shepparton
Shepparton Tatura

Toolamba

Murchison

Violet Town

Strathbogie
Nagambie Euroa Shire
Longwood Strathbogie

Avenel

1
ABS Population statistics, June 2018
 Annual Report 2018/19 5

Our Board

Moira Shire Strathbogie Shire Greater Shepparton

City Council

Cr Gary Cleveland Cr Debra Bower Cr Seema Abdullah

Deputy Chairperson (Retired November 2018) Chairperson

Ms Sally Rice Cr Kate Stothers Mrs Kaye Thomson

Executive representative (Joined November 2018) Executive representative

Ms Alex Monk Mr David Roff Mr Derek Poulton

Community representative Executive representative Community representative

Ms Amanda Tingay
Community representative
6 Goulburn Valley Libraries

Our Corporation is governed by the Goulburn Board Meeting Attendance

Valley Libraries Board. The Board is made up of nine
representatives: a Councillor from each municipality,

Committee meetings

Matters Committee
an Executive representative from each Shire and a

CEO Performance
Board Meetings

Finance & Audit

Community representative from each Shire. The Board
met on six occasions throughout 2018/19.

attended

attended
Cr Seema Abdullah was re-elected Chairperson from
November 2018. Cr Gary Cleveland was elected
Deputy Chairperson. Cr Seema Abdullah 5 - 1
Cr Debra Bower retired as Strathbogie Shire Councillor Cr Gary Cleveland 5 - 1
representative in November 2018 and Cr Kate Stothers
was nominated to replace her. Cr Debra Bower 1 - -

The Finance and Audit Committee membership is Cr Kate Stothers 3 - -

made up of the three Senior Executive representatives David Roff 5 5 1
from each member Council. The current membership
includes David Roff (Chairperson), Ms Kaye Thomson Sally Rice 4 5 -
and Ms Sally Rice. Kaye Thomson 4 3 -
The CEO Performance Matters Committee is formed Derek Poulton 5 - -
from the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson
Alex Monk 2 - -
and a Shire Executive Officer, currently David Roff,
ensuring representation from each Council. This Amanda Tingay 4 - -
committee meets as and when required to review CEO
performance, remuneration and contract. Board members also attended numerous community
and associated library events and other library project
meetings.

“The library allow

me to use internet
and apply for the
jobs. It is useful
sources.”
New resident

Governance
Equal Employment Opportunity
We continue to have a strong focus on equal
employment opportunity with measures in place to
ensure the workplace is free of discrimination and
harassment.
No complaints have been lodged with the Equal
Opportunity Commission about the Corporation’s
activities.
Protected Disclosure
We are committed to the aims and objectives of the
Protected Disclosure Act 2012 which are designed to
protect people who come forward with a disclosure
about improper conduct by public bodies or public
sector employees. We do not tolerate improper
conduct by employees or Board members, nor the
taking of reprisals against those who come forward
to disclose such conduct. During 2018/19 there were
no disclosures, matters, requests or applications
made under the provisions of the Act. The Board
also adopted a new Protected Disclosures Policy that
superseded our previous Whistleblowers Policy.
Annual Report 2018/19 7
“The library is a
great place to
relax with a good
book.”
Freedom of Information
The public has the right under the Freedom of
Information Act to apply for access to Corporation
information, including viewing documents and/or
obtaining personal copies. No formal requests were
received during 2018/19. In addition the Corporation
makes available the required documentation pursuant
to the Local Government Act 1989.
How We Managed Our Risks
The Corporation manages some of its more significant
risks through appropriate insurances. We have placed
our required insurances with:
–– MAV Insurance Liability Insurance for Public and
Products Liability and Professional Indemnity
–– Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pty Ltd for Industrial
Special Risks (i.e Assets), Directors’ and Officers’
Liability, and Personal Accident – Corporate Travel
–– EML Insurance for Workcover Insurance
–– Zurich for Motor Vehicle Insurance
During 2018/19 the Board again reviewed the
Corporate Risk Register and risk management plans.
8 Goulburn Valley Libraries

Our People

We employed a team of 71 full time, part time Staff turnover

and casual employees across our static libraries,
2017/18 2018/19
our administration and shared services building
and our Mobile Library. In the past year, seven staff New employees 8 7
have ceased employment with seven commencing.
Resignations / Retirement
Providing opportunities for young people 7 7
(including casual)
to experience employment continues to be
important, particularly for the libraries where
we employ juniors to restock shelves (currently We farewelled Justus Hagan, who retired after
in 4 libraries). We also have student work 29 years with Goulburn Valley Libraries. We
experience placements and have accommodated welcomed Julie Best as Aboriginal Library Officer,
students completing volunteering for different Margaret Maconachie to the Euroa Library
organisations. Coordinator position and new casual staff
including Natasha Bell and Maggie McCafferty.
2017/18 2018/19
Length of service at GVL
Total employee numbers 71 71
0-5 years – 35 11-20 years – 14
Permanent employees 6-10 years – 11 21 years & over – 11
10 11
full time
Age breakdown (%)
Permanent employees
32 33
part time
2%
14%
Casual employees 29 27
˜ 15-19
3%
Full time equivalents 25.63 25.76 ˜ 20-29
32%
˜ 30-39
Male 12 13
14% ˜ 40-49
Female 59 58 ˜ 50-59
˜ 60-69
13%
˜ 70-79
22%
 Annual Report 2018/19 9

Gender breakdown The Leadership Team

Kevin Preece – Chief Executive Officer
7 8
3 ˜ FT - female
Jenny Wyllie – Library Services Manager
3
˜ PT - female
Alexandra Andrew – Communications and Information
˜ Casual - female Technology Manager
30 ˜ FT - male Cindy Decker – Human Resources Coordinator and
acting Technical Services Manager
20 ˜ PT - male
Jan Sutton – Senior Projects Librarian
˜ Casual - male

Training and Development

Summary of the number of staff by
department, employment type and gender The Corporation encourages staff in their professional
development, providing opportunities for attendance
at seminars and conferences. While distance and
ICT Corporate Services
and Administration

timing can often be restrictive, two opportunities were

Technical Services
Library Services

presented for online learning.

Branching Out Family History Online training gave staff

the skills to assist with this popular pastime.
Total

Reaching Readers is designed for frontline staff to

Permanent FT - develop skills in planning and implementing reader
3 1 4 8
female development activities and programs. Staged over six
Permanent FT - months, we had 6 staff complete the training.
1 - 2 3
male
Two staff are progressing towards completion of
Permanent PT -
25 3 2 30 tertiary qualifications.
female

Permanent PT - Other professional development activities included:

3 - - 3
male
–– Attendance at PLV Special Interest Group meetings
Casual -
20 - 20 –– Auslan training – 3 staff
female

Casual - –– Conference: Adult Literacy Connect

7 - - 7
male –– Seminar: Early Childhood Learning
Total 59 4 8 71 –– Grant writing workshops – 4 staff
–– Seminar: LibMark – On The Same Page
Note: Junior casual employees that restock shelves comprise
approximately 37.5% of the casual staff pool. A high proportion of –– Conference: Innovation in Adult Literacy – 2 staff
the workforce continues to be female and employed in a part time –– Conference: Libraries, Democracy and Social
or casual capacity.
Inclusion
–– Conference: Stronger Together
–– Zart Art workshops – children’s activities
–– Report Writing – 2 staff
10 Goulburn Valley Libraries

Organisational Structure

Board
CEO
Seema Abdullah
Kevin Preece
(Chairperson)

Technical
Library CIT Human Senior
Services
Services Alexandra Resources Projects
Cindy Decker
Jenny Wyllie Andrew Cindy Decker Jan Sutton
(acting)

Branch Technical CIT

Libraries Services Services

Mobile
Library

ib r a r ie s fostered
“ L g…
of readin
Programs
m y lo v e
love to
and I still y.”
a
read tod rn
oulbu
D o w li n g, ABC G e
Matt es Chang
rr a y a n d Librari
Mu ampion
Lives Ch

Highlights
Tatura Library refurbishment and
extension
Greater Shepparton City Council applied and
received approval for a $600k Living Libraries
Infrastructure Fund grant. Detailed design
work commenced for a 250m2 extension and
refurbishment of the old library. This will effectively
double the size. Pending Council approval, work will
commence late 2019 and we hope the new library
will be open by July 2020.
Yarrawonga community consulted
on library location
The Moira Shire progressed further with the planning
for a new library at Yarrawonga and consulted
with the local community on preferred options.
Respondents to a community survey overwhelmingly
chose a greenfield library site at the rear of the
existing Town Hall as the preferred option over
including the library within the Town Hall itself.
Council will now further develop a precinct Master
Plan and Concept Plans for the new library with a
view towards an application for funding in mid 2019.
New Enterprise Agreement 2018
approved
Following negotiation and submission of our new
Enterprise Agreement, the Fair Work Commission
approved the agreement on 24 December 2018.
Just in time for Christmas. The key agreed employee
outcome is for a pay increase of 1.5% per year
with a minimum of $18 per hour for four years,
commencing 1 July 2018.
eBook use keeps on growing!
We continue to see phenomenal growth in eBook
and eAudio book use, and we have continued
to grow our collection to meet this demand.
Borrowbox is the preferred platform with 80% of
all use on this platform.
Annual Report 2018/19 11
Overdue Fees – gone!
One week before Christmas 2018 we announced
to the world that Goulburn Valley Libraries now has
“no overdue fees”! The removal of overdue fees
removes a significant barrier to library participation
by many people. At the same time we forgave all
long standing overdue fee debt. As a result we
have welcomed many long lost patrons back to the
library. We also introduced one “automatic renewal”
of items that are overdue to help people manage
their returns. Incentive to return items is retained by
continuing to charge for replacement of items that
are lost.
Libraries Change Lives!
An exiting new campaign to promote the value of
public libraries and advocate for improved funding
and resources commenced in September 2018.
Goulburn Valley Libraries had our own Libraries
Change Lives launch event at the Shepparton Library
on 31 October 2018. Local ABC radio presenter and
our own local library champion, Matt Dowling made
a great presentation and we have also had many
Libraries Change Lives themed events held at our
other libraries. The campaign has gained momentum
and will continue to be at the forefront of our
promotional efforts going forward.
Award winning Cobram Library!
Cobram Library opened in November 2017 and
was shortlisted for two major awards. The library
reached the top four and was highly commended
in the National Australian Library and Information
Association Library Design Awards and the top
two of the Victorian Architectural Awards. A great
achievement competing against bigger, well-funded
urban projects and a tribute to the architects, Cohen
Architects.
 
12 Goulburn Valley Libraries
Library Operations
Operations
A highlight of the year was the exhibition Let Me
Be Myself: the story of Anne Frank, held at the
Shepparton Library December 2018 - March 2019.
We received a grant from the Greater Shepparton City
Council and assistance from Soroptimists Shepparton,
and the Friends of the Shepparton Library to cover
the cost of bringing the exhibition to Shepparton.
This was the first time an exhibition of this size has
been held at the library. A preview evening and also a
community launch was held, with excellent coverage
on television.
Christmas came early for Goulburn Valley Libraries
members when we removed overdue fees in
December 2018. Not only were fees no longer
imposed, but those already accrued were cleared
from membership records. This action met with
positive feedback from patrons. On the morning it
was announced, a family of three returned to the
Shepparton Library, knowing that the $300 accrued in
overdue fees would no longer be payable.
Shepparton Library had CCTV installed to provide
a greater level of safety and security for staff and
patrons. All branches have now been issued with
personal safety devices to improve safety for staff
working alone.
We continue to provide a range of activities for
children. Several branches enjoyed performances of
Immersion Puppetry, while Mooroopna hosted Playing
with Poems. Nagambie hosted two children’s sessions
provided by Strathbogie Shire, and Emma Kennedy
continued our partnership with Greater Shepparton
City Council to provide Story Time in the Park. Author
Kaye Baillie joined Rhyme Story Time at Shepparton
where she read her book Message in a Sock.
Staff absences due to illness and injury, although
challenging, have provided opportunities for
professional development. Many staff have embraced
the challenges afforded them, undertaking eLearning
and Craft & Coffee sessions, working in different
branches and experiencing different roles.
Let me be
myself: the
story
of Anne Fr
ank

munity
The com
e 15,3
d
borrow
om the
items fr
serv e
ic
Library
2018/1 9
Self Print and Pay
We installed new software and a Self Print and Pay
station at the Shepparton Library in March 2019. This
will also enable wireless printing. Shepparton Library
has the most traffic at the PC and printer and required
a staff member to be at the desk at all times to release
print/copies and accept payments.
The new system enables self print release at a public
PC station and a cash deposit/change machine at the
printer. Patrons will also be able to pay at the counter
via EFTPOS. The new system will release staff from the
desk enabling better on-floor service and assistance.
NBN
We began the replacement of our internet modems
at every branch and Administration with a Managed
Infrastructure option and upgraded to NBN. This has
resulted in a better data and communications service
and reduced data and communications costs. At the
end of June we have upgraded the Administration
office as well as Violet Town, Numurkah, Cobram and
Yarrawonga libraries.
Nathalia has been upgraded to the new infrastructure
– NBN is available in 2020.
Annual Report 2018/19 13
87
Mobile
in
.
Public PCs
We replaced public PCs with new ones at Euroa,
Mooroopna, Shepparton and Yarrawonga. The
remainder at Mooroopna, Shepparton and Numurkah
will be replaced early in 2019/20.
Mobile Library - Serving our
Small Communities
The Mobile Library experienced a slight alteration to
the schedule when Invergordon Primary School closed.
This provided an opportunity to attend at Katamatite
Primary School. Despite some mechanical issues
during the year, there was only one occasion when the
Mobile was unable to reach its scheduled destination.
Two extreme fire danger days also saw the Mobile stay
off the road, in the interests of safety for both library
staff and patrons.
We are exploring ways to improve services to small
communities into the future as needs and technology
change.
14 Goulburn Valley Libraries

Community Engagement The past twelve months has been a time of

embedding adult programming into branch schedules.
and Programs Staff are now more confident to undertake sessions,
We were excited to be selected as a venue for a introduce new programs and reach out to the
heat of Poetry Slam at Nagambie Library in July. This community.
vibrant and dynamic event saw poets from a wide area
Our programming is continually being reviewed, to
converge on Nagambie for a night of poetry and fun,
ensure we are meeting the needs of our communities;
with the host Joel McKerrow kicking off the evening
new programming has included Human Book Club,
with a poem of his own. The two winners then
and Movie and Popcorn days. The structure and
went on to compete at the state Poetry Slam final in
frequency of eLearning has been reviewed in response
Melbourne, which two staff members also attended.
to demand. One-on-one tech assistance is now being
As usual, the Nagambie community fully supported
offered in place of a regular eLearning sessions in
this event, and the feedback was overwhelmingly
some branches
positive. The host commented that the audience was
even larger than that at city heats. Our participation in community events, such as the
Out In The Open Festival in Shepparton, Numurkah
We successfully applied for a grant from the Law
Show and the Community Halloween celebration at
Foundation Victoria and offered a program of events
Nathalia requires commitment by staff to work outside
across five branches during Law Week, including Coffee
rostered hours. Sew A Softie was in partnership with
with a Cop; Seniors Wills, Power of Attorney and Estate
SAM, we collaborated with our member Councils
Planning; Justice of the Peace Signing Station and
during the Senior’s Festival, and held several activities
Australian Visas and Migration Law Basics. Mooroopna
during the Shepparton Festival for the first time.
branch partnered with Mooroopna Education and
Activity Centre for a well-attended information session, Primary Care Connect and the Shepparton Library
“Seniors and the Law”. collaborated in board games and film nights, we
expanded our audience for the Sydney Writers Festival
Other funding came from Social Seniors grants
which streamed live into Shepparton Library over three
and Moira Shire Cultural Diversity Week grants.
days, and a Big Morning Tea at Nagambie Library
A mini-festival at Shepparton Library focused on
raised over $630 for cancer research.
environmentally friendly topics.

h
Coffee wit
a Cop
 Annual Report 2018/19 15

“Our Frid
ay mornin
group is th g
e one day
the week of
I look forw
to; I have ard
made som
lovely frie e
nds.”

Friends of the Library

Celebratin
g We continue to enjoy the support of Friends of the
C W ee k
NAIDO Library groups, who fund-raise through book sales and
ep p ar to n
at Sh
raffles. Friends groups have purchased new couches
Library
at Numurkah, Yarrawonga and Mooroopna branches,
continue to support our children’s activities, subscribe
to magazine titles and provide refreshments for author
Aboriginal Community visits and other events at the library. The Friends of
Euroa Library continue a busy schedule of author
Shepparton branch hosted “Finding Your Mob”,
visits, hosting Rosalie Ham and David Astle, as well as
a talk by staff from the Koori Records Unit at Public
continuing to support library programs and have also
Records Victoria.
refurbished the courtyard at Euroa Library.
The Goulburn Valley has a relatively large indigenous
Perhaps the most important role the Friends undertake
population, and Goulburn Valley Libraries identified
is assistance in the delivery of the Home Library Service,
this community as one which could be better
which could not go ahead without their support.
served by our library service. The permanent part-
time position of Aboriginal Library Officer was We appreciate the support Friends groups and
created to provide opportunities to interact with volunteers provide for our programs, both materially
our indigenous community, identify what this and financially.
community needs from the library service and how
we can encourage participation. Julie Best, a local
Yorta Yorta woman, is employed for two days per Book Clubs
week. Her role to date has primarily been building There are 27 Book Clubs across the region. There are
networks within the indigenous community, to 11 Book Clubs in Shepparton, one in Tatura, three in
raise awareness of the library and our services. Yarrawonga, three in Cobram, three in Numurkah and
Julie has undertaken outreach visits to schools six in Euroa.
and kindergartens, Rumbalara Homework Club
Two preview sessions, one in the afternoon and one
and Rumbalara Aged Care as well as participation
in the evening, were held at Euroa Library on Tuesday
in community events such as St Georges’ Road
2 October 2018, for all the Library Book Clubs in
Festival. Julie also supports the administration of the
Euroa to look at a copy of all the books on the Book
Dungala-Kaiela Writing Awards, and will be fully
Club Titles List for 2019. A similar preview session
trained in library duties so that she is available for
for the Library Book Clubs in Numurkah was held at
work in our branch libraries.
Numurkah Library on Thursday 11 October 2018.
16 Goulburn Valley Libraries

“We hav
e a wee
group th kly
at meet
friendly for a
game of
– as sen scrabble
iors, this
marvelo is a
us way
our min to keep
ds youn
g and
active.”

Adult Programs
Number of Programs Number of Programs
Name of Program in libraries in the community Number of attendees

All Abilities Programs 105 1 715

Author Visits 30 0 825

Adult Programs* 96 0 464

Book Club/Book Chat 43 0 344

Friends of the Library 100 4 1,063

Knitting Group 83 0 568

eLearning 103 0 377

Craft Programs 113 0 820

Library Tours 19 0 190

Indigenous Programs 13 9 178

Invigilation 4 0 4

Events 55 1 951

Multicultural 31 1 178

Openings/meetings 80 2 419

Total 875 18 7,096

* Includes study groups, scrabble club and crochet group

There has been a 16% increase in the number of program sessions offered in 2018/19. The 75% increase in
library tours reflects, in part, the interest in the Anne Frank exhibition.
 Annual Report 2018/19 17

Children’s and Youth Programs

Number of Programs Number of Programs
Name of Program in libraries in the community Number of attendees

Baby Rhyme Time 58 0 2,270

Rhyme & Story Time 309 1 7,571

Preschool & Children’s Centres 72 24 1,079

Kindergarten Visits 159 19 3,519

Primary School Visits 90 3 2259

School Holiday Programs 70 1 2,479

Special Development Schools 71 0 668

New Mum’s Groups / Maternal and

39 0 504
Child Health

Community Events* 22 13 1,028

Digital Literacy 75 0 858

Secondary Schools 4 0 44

Other** 63 0 879

Tours 3 0 57

Indigenous Programs 11 9 598

Total 1,046 70 23,813

* Includes Community Reading Day, Agricultural Show, Story Time in the Park and other community-based programs
** Includes chess and book clubs, halloween, film night and Harry Potter night

Summer Book Bingo replaced the Summer Reading Club, and saw an increase in participation across the region.
There were 92 entries in the main prize draw, where one lucky winner received an iPod.

Indigenous programs are being recorded since the employment of the Aboriginal Library Officer and reflect the
outreach nature of the position.

1000 Books Before School continues, we have now recorded 1,400 registrations since November 2016.
18 Goulburn Valley Libraries
Authors visit our Libraries
During the year, 14 visiting authors gave a total of
30 talks about their books at branch libraries across
the region.
Jenny Old
Jenny Old spoke about her memoir, Back of Beyond,
at Shepparton Library. Jenny grew up on a farm
outside Deniliquin in the Riverina in NSW.
Rick Morton
Award-winning journalist and social affairs writer for
The Australian, Rick Morton, spoke about his memoir,
One Hundred Years of Dirt, at Shepparton Library
Rick’s writing in The Australian has a particular focus
on those issues affecting marginalised groups.
Gabrielle Chan
Gabrielle Chan spoke about her new book Rusted
Off: Why Country Australia is Fed Up at Shepparton
Library. In 1996, Gabrielle, the city-born daughter
of a Chinese migrant, moved to a sheep and wheat
farm in country New South Wales. Her book provides
a window into the community where she raised her
children, and reflects on its lessons for the Australian
political story.
Leo Kennedy
Leo Kennedy spoke about his new book, Black Snake:
the Real Story of Ned Kelly, at Euroa, Nagambie,
Cobram and Shepparton Libraries. Leo Kennedy is the
great-grandson of Sergeant Michael Kennedy and he
was raised in the shadow of his great grandfather’s
murder.
Ross McMullin
Award-winning historian and biographer Dr Ross
McMullin visited Goulburn Valley Libraries twice in
2018/19. He spoke on Villers-Bretonneux: What Really
Happened, at Numurkah, Shepparton, Euroa and
Nagambie Libraries.
Dr McMullin also spoke about his book Farewell Dear
People: Biographies of Australia’s Lost Generation at
Euroa, Shepparton, Cobram and Numurkah Libraries.
Jill Barclay
Jill Barclay spoke about her book, The Illustrator, at
Numurkah Library.
Joan Atherton Hooper
Joan Atherton Hooper gave a talk about her
autobiography Nothing to Cry About: a Memoir at
Shepparton Library.

2018 Joseph Furphy
Commemorative
Literary Prize
The Joseph Furphy
Commemorative Literary Prize
was inaugurated in 1993 to
commemorate 150 years since
the birth of Joseph Furphy. This
year was the twenty-sixth year
of the Literary Prize. The Furphy
Foundry Pty Ltd generously
donates the prize money for this
annual writing competition.
This year, 48 Junior short stories,
17 Youth short stories, 30 Open
short stories, 31 Youth poetry
entries and 41 Open poetry
entries were received, a total of
167 entries.
The 2018 winners were:
Short Story
Open
Margaret Guppy – Orphanage
Days
Youth
Grace Sandles – Red
Junior
Emily Davies – Cabin Catastrophe
Jayden Lamb – Special
Poetry
Open
Leanne Wicks – Mirror
Youth
Riley Wooster – Our Feathered
Friends
Annual Report 2018/19 19
2018 Dungala-Kaiela Writing Awards
The Dungala-Kaiela Writing Awards are open to Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people with a connection to our region. The Dungala-Kaiela
Writing Awards were inaugurated in 2012 to provide an opportunity
for writing and self-expression in the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities. The generous sponsors are the Fairer Futures Fund,
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative, Viney Morgan Aboriginal Medical
Service, Greater Shepparton City Council, Moira Shire Council and the
Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group.
The Presentations and Celebrations Evening was held on Friday
2 November 2018 at the Rumbalara Football and Netball Club in
Shepparton. The evening was well attended, with some 75 people
attending. Katrina Mohamed was the MC for the evening.
The 2018 winners were:
Story/Yarn/Article/Play
Elder
Margie Tang – Freckled Oranges Down the West
Open
Lena-Jean Charles-Loffel – Sadie
Youth
Mazz Post – Stolen
Junior
Kiarra Egan – The Black Girl with White Skin
Aboriginal Languages of this Region
in any written form
Open
Narida Miller – Ellara
Junior
Ian Clarke – The Day I Killed a Turkey
Krystal Oelfke – How I Got My Spikes
Poem/Lyric/Rap
Elder
Elsie Anderson – My Very Special Moments are Known to Me as “Dreams”
Open
Denise Charles – Radi
Youth
Miranda Cox – The Traveller
Junior
Vanessa Harbrow – My Culture
20 Goulburn Valley Libraries

Online Library

We now have an ever growing suite of eResources for Plus our patrons can enjoy access to many free digital
patrons to enjoy, including: resources via our web portal such as:

–– Borrowbox –– Ancestory.com
eBooks and eAudiobooks –– Computer School
–– Wheelers –– Transparent Languages
eBooks –– Storybox Library
–– RB Digital –– Kanopy
eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines. –– Road to IELTS (International English Language
Testing System)
–– Worldbook
eResource loans
eBooks eAudiobooks eMagazines
30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0
2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19
 Annual Report 2018/19 21

Website visits
2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0
Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Internet and WiFi use

Internet 2017/18 Internet 2018/19
WiFi 2017/18 WiFi 2018/19

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0
Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun
22 Goulburn Valley Libraries

Collections

The collection at Goulburn Valley Libraries continues
to improve in quality with an increase from 46.3%
to 50.01% of the age of the collection 5 years old
or less. Physical items make up 95.6% of our total
collection with eResources making up the other 4.4%.
There has been a 6.5% increase in eResources in the
last year as we chose to spend a higher percentage of
the budget on this in-demand collection.
The library collection continues to be refreshed and
expanded, with 15,762 new physical items added.
This year the community borrowed 491,104 collection
items.
Highest demand collections continue to be DVDs
and eAudios with turnover rates of 7.5 and 6.6
respectively. This is followed by eBooks, audios, adult
fiction and picture books.

Collection type

1% - LOTE 1% - Local history

2% - eAudiobooks 1% - eMagazines

2% - eBooks 0.5% - Reference

3% - Audiobooks
24% - Junior books

4% - Magazines

5% - Young adult books

8% - DVDs

9% - Large print

21% - Adult fiction books

19% - Adult non-fiction books
 Annual Report 2018/19 23

Total Loans
460,034 - Physical loans
20,389 - eLoans 491,104

Kanopy, a video streaming resource, provide
an on-demand video streaming service for our
library members to gain access to 26,000 movies,
documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema,
independent films and educational videos that inspire,
enrich and entertain.
Kanopy Kids has been running for just over a year and
is where kids are free to explore enriching, educational
and entertaining films and TV series.
Our eResources are promoted on our website, via
Facebook and in the promotional TV and radio
advertisements. A great way of catching multiple
audiences.
Goulburn Valley Libraries has recently purchased
collectionHQ, an evidence based collection
management tool, as an essential resource for staff
to effectively understand the collection at their
library and also see it as part of the whole service.
We are looking forward to utilising this tool to its full
potential.
Being part of the SWIFT consortium continues to
benefit both our communities and libraries within
the consortium. Goulburn Valley Libraries members
borrowed 40,068 items and we loaned 54,703 items
to our SWIFT partners.
Our members borrowed 243 collection items on
interlibrary loan from other library services. Goulburn
Valley Libraries loaned 743 items to other non-SWIFT
libraries.

s our
Kanopy give
m em be rs ac cess
de o
to 26,000 vi
g tit le s.
streamin
24 Goulburn Valley Libraries

Most Most borrowed Most borrowed Most

borrowed novels or non-fiction borrowed
DVD titles picture books books audiobooks
Junior Junior picture books Junior Junior
–– The Wiggles –– I’m Australian Too –– Guinness World –– James and the Giant
–– Peppa Pig –– Hickory Dickory Dash Records Peach
–– Thomas and Friends –– Rodney Loses It –– The Book of –– The Magic Finger
–– Fireman Sam –– A Walk in the Bush Australian and New –– Orchard Book of
–– Octonauts –– The Very Noisy Baby Zealand Reptiles Nursery Stories
–– Anne Frank –– The Magic Pudding
Teen Junior
–– Minecraft: Guide to –– Pearlie and the Lost
–– Bleach –– Diary of a Wimpy Kid
PVP Minigames Handbag
–– Miss Peregrine’s Home –– Geronimo Stilton
–– Dinosaurs
for Peculiar Children –– The Bad Guys Teen
–– I Kill Giants –– Weirdo! Teen –– The Fugitive
–– Tomorrowland –– The Storey Treehouse –– My Beautiful Struggle –– Harry Potter series
–– Beauty and the Beast series –– The Diary of a Young –– On the Jellicoe Road
Girl –– Point Blanc
TV Series Teen
–– Learn to Crochet –– Wintergirls
–– Outlander –– Harry Potter series
–– Girl Stuff
–– A Place to Call Home –– All the Boys I’ve Loved Adult
–– WWE: Absolutely
–– Game of Thrones Before –– The Target
Everything you Need
–– Midsomer Murders –– The Hunger Games –– Hercule Poirot in
to Know
–– Poldark series Dumb Witness
–– Felix and Zelda series Adult –– The Dressmaker
Movies
–– Found –– Back of Beyond –– The Castlemaine
–– The Greatest
–– Barefoot Investor Murder
Showman Adult
–– Working Class Boy –– Mercy Street
–– The Dressmaker –– The Midnight Line
–– Any Ordinary Day
–– The Guernsey Literary –– The Fix
–– One Hundred Years
and Potato Peel Pie –– Past Tense
of Dirt
Society –– The Dry
–– Finding Your Feet –– Two Kinds of Truth
–– Darkest Hour
 Annual Report 2018/19 25

Items in Collection
June June June June June June
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Print and Audio Visual Resources 211,646 198,681 160,596 158,589 154,420 154,903

eResources 1,788 3,420 4,959 5,557 6,654 7,087

Total 213,434 202,101 165,555 164,146 161,074 161,990

% Physical collection
35.5% 35.94% 41.93% 42.11% 45.3% 47.7%
less than 5 years old

Collection additions
2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

Adult 3,273 2,993 3,343 3,461 3,427

Fiction
Junior / Young Adult 2,390 1,919 1,622 1,736 1,581

Adult 1,995 1,881 1,978 2,027 1,693

Non-fiction
Junior / Young Adult 529 392 496 779 518

Junior Picture 1,257 965 918 781 727

Large print 891 1,220 985 1,402 1,323

Adult 1,045 945 1,490 1,470 1,884

Audio Visual
(inc DVD’s)
Junior 283 397 547 844 715

Laungage Other Than English (LOTE) 226 66 528 386 119

Premiers Reading Challenge 2,061 2,567 2,752 2,164 2,159

Magazine titles 96 77 85 78 88

Discarded items 34,634 67,508 18,469 13,518 14,185

These figures do not include eResources, which are reflected elsewhere.

Individual magazine editions and donated items are not included in this table.

“When
I feel
lonely I
come to
the libra
ry to re
papers ad
and en
the com joy
pany.”
26 Goulburn Valley Libraries

Library Performance 2018/19

Holds / In-house
Branch Members Loans Visits Requests Internet use WiFi

Greater Shepparton

Mooroopna 2,295 33,123 24,614 4,651 4,116 2,528

Shepparton 13,558 163,786 112,419 20,564 14,903 18,966

Tatura 1,119 19,230 11,663 3,429 935 1,364

Total 16,972 216,139 148,696 28,644 19,954 22,858

Moira Shire

Cobram 3,709 60,764 40,938 11,549 5,035 5,034

Nathalia 912 10,733 7,813 2,056 291 892

Numurkah 1,999 34,575 22,483 6,754 2,161 2,240

Yarrawonga 3,235 49,536 46,048 9,508 3,543 4,940

Total 9,855 155,608 117,282 29,867 11,030 13,106

Strathbogie Shire

Euroa 2,524 42,614 53,987 7,723 4,799 4,842

Nagambie 902 16,546 11,066 4,013 1,539 1,495

Violet Town 403 7,788 7,581 1,847 301 920

Total 3,829 66,948 72,634 13,583 6,639 7,257

Other

Mobile Library 1,056 15,387 6,811 2,580 14 324

Administration / HQ 212 6,804 - 3,415 - -

eLoans - 30,218 - - - -

Total 2018/19 31,924 491,104 345,423 78,089 37,642 43,545

Total 2017/18 31,389 480,423 350,957 82,118 41,695 24,839

Variance 535 10,681 -5,534 -4,029 -4,053 +18,706

% change +1.7% +2.2% -1.6% -4.9% -9.7% +75.3%

 Annual Report 2018/19 27

Comparative Performance Summary 2015-2019

2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19
Total region population 101,165 102,012 102,497 105,513 106,451
Memberships 29,531 28,974 30,286 31,389 31,924
New members 4,035 3,946 4,508 3,923 3,741
Active members 16,994 12,642 14,357 13,117 13,564
Membership as % of population 29.19% 28.40% 29.55% 29.75% 29.99%
Visits 346,853 364,147 363,123 350,957 345,423
Visits per capita 3.42 3.57 3.54 3.33 3.24
Operating expenditure 1
$2,746,375 $3,069,809 $3,046,825 $3,171,629 $3,304,898
Operating expenditure per capita $27.15 $30.09 $29.73 $30.06 $31.05
Attendance at programs/events – 24,598 29,183 31,632 30,909
Website visits – 138,280 130,475 157,281 185,028

Total staff numbers 67 71 75 69 76

Total FTE staff
6
24.16 25.16 26.66 25.63 25.76
FTE per population
6
1/4187 1/4055 1/3845 1/4117 1/4132
Total FTE qualified staff
6
13 13 12.6 13.2 14.52
Qualified FTE per population
6
1/7782 1/7847 1/8135 1/7993 1/7331

Expenditure on library materials2 $273,471 $302,006 $356,665 $421,843 $394,104

Expenditure on library materials per capita $2.70 $2.96 $3.47 $4.00 $3.70

Number of physical collection items 198,516 160,596 158,589 154,420 154,903

Physical collection items per capita 1.96 1.57 1.55 1.46 1.45
% Collection purchased in past 5 years – 35.92% 41.94% 42.1% 45.3% 47.7%
physical items
% Collection purchased in past 5 years inc. – – 44.1% 46.3% 50.01%
eResources
Number of eResource collection items 3,420 4,959 5,557 6,654 7,087
Total number of collection items 201,936 165,555 164,146 4
161,074 161,990
eResources as % of total collection 1.7% 3.0% 3.39% 4.1% 4.37%
Loans physical items 449,893 455,956 451,938 460,034 460,886
Loans eResources – – 14,294 20,389 30,218
Loans total – – 466,232 5
480,423 491,104
Loans per capita 4.44 4.47 4.54 5
4.55 5
4.61
Loans per member 15.23 15.73 15.39 5
15.3 5
15.38
Loans per visit 1.29 1.25 1.285 1.375 1.42

Turnover – Loans per collection items 2.27 2.83 2.845 2.985 3.03

Number of public access internet PC’s 46 47 56 52 52

Number of PC’s per population 1/2199 1/2170 1/1830 1/2029 1/2047
Customer satisfaction Not undertaken 8.93 4 Not undertaken Not undertaken 8.84%4

1
Total operating expenditure less depreciation
2
Expenditure on bookstock, AV materials only (excludes plant, vehicle, CIT, furniture, fixtures etc)
3
In house satisfaction survey.
4
Nexus Regional Libraries Syndicate Community Survey.
5
Includes eResources
6
Full time equivalent
28 Goulburn Valley Libraries

Loans
Branch 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

Greater Shepparton

Mooroopna 32,065 30,840 30,373 30,544 33,123

Shepparton 145,132 151,568 153,045 159,029 163,786

Tatura 20,750 18,749 19,029 18,521 19,230

Total 197,947 201,157 202,447 208,094 216,139

Moira Shire

Cobram 51,736 52,819 52,982 63,095 60,764

Nathalia 10,285 11,010 11,082 11,424 10,733

Numurkah 39,799 38,420 33,722 32,973 34,575

Yarrawonga 54,353 51,407 50,048 50,029 49,536

Total 156,173 153,656 147,834 157,521 155,608

Strathbogie Shire

Euroa 52,207 49,551 50,336 45,445 42,614

Nagambie 19,881 18,276 16,745 17,246 16,546

Violet Town 6,073 6,102 7,009 6,571 7,788

Total 78,161 73,929 74,090 69,262 66,948

Other

Mobile Library 18,070 16,374 15,316 13,275 15,387

Administration / HQ 6,703 7,987 9,075 9,433 6,804

eLoans 8,484 14,294 30,218

Total 473,977 449,893 455,956 466,232 491,104

2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0
Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun
 Annual Report 2018/19 29

Members
Branch 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

Greater Shepparton

Mooroopna 2,206 2,167 2,233 2,294 2,295

Shepparton 13,016 12,664 12,858 13,290 13,558

Tatura 1,146 1,133 1,133 1,137 1,119

Total 16,368 15,964 16,224 16,721 16,972

Moira Shire

Cobram 2,437 2,365 3,187 3,509 3,709

Nathalia 851 912 934 959 912

Numurkah 1,944 1,948 1,981 1,993 1,999

Yarrawonga 3,101 2,999 3,050 3,152 3,235

Total 8,333 8,224 9,152 9,613 9,855

Strathbogie Shire

Euroa 2,466 2,411 2,448 2,530 2,524

Nagambie 808 807 821 873 902

Violet Town 303 360 389 414 403

Total 3,577 3,578 3,658 3,817 3,829

Other

Mobile Library 1,110 1,074 1,082 1,049 1,056

Administration / HQ 143 134 170 189 212

Total 29,531 28,974 30,286 31,389 31,924

2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19

32,000

31,000

30,000

29,000

28,000
Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun
30 Goulburn Valley Libraries

Visits
Branch 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19

Greater Shepparton

Mooroopna 27,644 24,627 25,836 25,487 24,614

Shepparton 98,889 112,734 109,576 107,747 112,419

Tatura 11,910 12,274 12,045 11,991 11,663

Total 138,443 149,635 147,457 145,225 148,696

Moira Shire

Cobram 55,214 56,920 53,419 44,859 40,938

Nathalia 8,579 8,353 8,997 8,731 7,813

Numurkah 26,253 25,028 23,702 22,212 22,483

Yarrawonga 44,378 44,425 46,273 45,672 46,048

Total 134,424 134,726 132,391 121,474 117,282

Strathbogie Shire

Euroa 50,740 52,770 57,130 57,743 53,987

Nagambie 11,609 13,017 12,386 12,059 11,066

Violet Town 3,907 6,613 8,037 7,783 7,581

Total 66,256 72,400 77,553 77,585 72,634

Other

Mobile Library 7,730 7,406 5,722 6,673 6,811

Administration / HQ - - - - -

Total 346,853 364,147 363,123 350,957 345,423

2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0
Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun
 Annual Report 2018/19 31

Local Government Reporting Framework

Greater Moira Strathbogie
Branch Shepparton Shire Shire Total

Indicator Utilisation
Measure LB1. (19) Library Collection Usage

Number of library collection item loans 233,609 173,078 84,418 491,104

Number of library collection items 68,405 58,052 35,532 161,990

Loans per collection item 3.42 2.98 2.38 3.03

Notes:
Mobile Library and HQ collection items and loans allocated equally between Municipalities.
Includes eBook items loans.

Indicator Resource Standard

Measure LB2. (20) Standard of Library Collection

Number of library collection items purchased

33,997 28,995 18,024 81,017
in the last 5 years

Number of library collection items 68,405 58,052 35,532 161,990

% of collection less than 5years old 49.7% 49.9% 50.7% 50.01%

Notes:
Mobile Library and HQ collection Items and loans allocated equally between Municipalities.
Includes eBook items.

Indicator Service Cost

Measure LB3. (21) Cost of Library Service

Direct cost to council of library service $1,229,378 $579,328 $198,572 $2,007,278

Number of library visits 150,966 119552 74,904 345,423

Cost per visit $8.14 $4.85 $2.65 $5.81

Notes:
Mobile Library visits allocated equally between Municipalities.
Council share of Mobile Library costs and HQ costs included in direct cost proportion.
Direct cost to councils less share of capital and depreciation.
Costs are based on 2018/19 approved budget costs.

Indicator Participation
Measure LB4. (22) Library Collection Usage

Number of active library members 6,402 4,681 2,482 13,564

Municipal population 66,007 29,799 10,645 106,451

% Active members per capita 9.7% 15.7% 23.3% 12.7%

Notes:
Active members are defined as members who have borrowed or renewed a collection item within the last 12 months.
Includes members who have borrowed eBooks or other eResources.
Mobile Library, HQ members and members who have borrowed eResources only allocated equally between Municipalities.
Population based on ABS Population data June 2019.
32 Goulburn Valley Libraries

Directory

1300 374 765 Administration Support Nathalia Library

gvlibraries.com.au Centre 75 Blake St, Nathalia
79 Benalla Rd, Shepparton Library Coordinator
Donna Hicks
Geke Brals (Jul 2018 - Sep 2018)
Cobram Library
Natasha Bell (Apr 2019 - Jun 2019)
14 Punt Rd, Cobram
Library Coordinator Numurkah Library
Judy Taylor 18 McCaskill St, Numurkah
Andre Smith (Aug 2018 - Apr 2019) Library Coordinator
Jessica Anderson (May 2019 - Jun 2019) Louise Bourchier
Library Assistant Library Assistant
Marian Jones Sue Flanner
Antonia Whitehead
Shepparton Library
Euroa Library 41-43 Marungi St, Shepparton
62 Binney St, Euroa Library Manager
Library Coordinator Corrinne Hills
Cathy Artridge Library Officer
Marg Maconachie Emma Beach
Justus Hagen (retired Dec ‘18) Tom Harding (Apr 2019 - June 2019)
Library Assistant Community Engagement Coordinator
Barb Trainor Jessica Anderson (Jul 2018 - Apr 2019)
Library Assistants
Mobile Library Joanne Davies
79 Benalla Rd, Shepparton Melissa Black
Library Coordinators Andre Smith (July 2018)
Howard Hanna Children and Youth Services Librarian
David Williamson Emma Kennedy
Library Assistant
Andrew McDowell Tatura Library
12-16 Casey St, Tatura
Mooroopna Library Library Coordinators
The Hub, 9-11 Morrell St, Claire Flett
Mooroopna Kerrie Douglas
Library Coordinator
Rhonda McKie Violet Town Library
Michelle Nicolson Cowslip St, Violet Town
Library Assistant Library Coordinator
Nicole Lorenz Denise Jackson

Nagambie Library Yarrawonga Library

352 High St, Nagambie 26-30 Belmore St, Yarrawonga
Library Coordinator Library Coordinators
Catherine Langdon Marg Ritchie
Kerry Currie
Library Assistant
Edna Hafon