The future of Ballarat’s libraries are now under new direction following the appointment of the new Library Services Manager, Janice Taylor.

The City of Ballarat is delighted to welcome Janice Taylor who has spent the last 12 years managing library services for Blue Mountains City, Bega Valley Shire Councils in NSW and managing public library services in the ACT since 2008.

City of Ballarat CEO, Mr Anthony Schinck said Janice’s appointment was the result of an extensive search to find the most appropriately qualified and experienced candidate to drive Ballarat’s library services into the future

“Ballarat’s libraries are desperate for positive change and renewal and we needed someone who could champion our libraries and those of this region and drive their development into the future.”

“We have a vision about what our libraries could be like. We believe that communities deserve spaces that are community hubs and encourage life long learning.”

Janice Taylor is passionate about the development and delivery of relevant and sustainable library services for local communities. In 2005 she won the NSW Colin Mills Scholarship, which enabled her to spend time in the USA researching how public libraries are meeting the challenges of planning and delivering specific services to rapidly increasing “baby boomer” and sea change populations.

Janice was also involved in the 5 year strategy for Canberra to become a learning city.

The City of Ballarat will resume control over Ballarat’s libraries in 1 July 2011, following the City’s withdrawal from the Central Highlands Regional Library Corporation.

A new shared services model is being developed for the provision of library services across the region and the City of Ballarat is working with the other member Council’s to establish who will join the new model.

Background

Key achievements include

• Implementing the successful intergenerational reading program, “Grandparents and Books” in the Bega Valley in 2006.
• Involved in introducing the Bega Valley Shire to the learning community initiative in 2006 and in partnership with key stakeholders in the Shire.
• Associate Member of ALIA with a BA in Economic History and Politics
• Represented Libraries ACT on the National State and Territory Libraries of Australasia (NSLA),
• Represented Libraries ACT on Re-imagining Library Services initiatives for public and national libraries in Australia and New Zealand.
• Janice currently holds the position of Treasurer for Adult Learning Community Network Inc.(ALCN), an organisation which supports the development and sustainability of learning community initiatives across Australia
• Received a 2010 ACT Commissioner for Public Administration Award in the category of Valuing Emerging Leaders and High Performers.