Libraries Board of South Australia
Highlights of 2023 - 2024
Public libraries are valued as institutions of civil democracy and community engagement.
They are hubs of knowledge, creativity and innovation, bringing together the physical and digital worlds and providing opportunities for learning and leisure, linking the people of South Australia to each other and the world.
State Library of South Australia
The State Library gathers, protects, and shares the documented history of South Australia, helping us remember the past, connect with each other, and discover who we are.
The stories that make us.
LibrariesSA
LibrariesSA empowers curiosity through literacy. Our diverse collections inspire people to ask questions about their world, to see it from other points of view and become fuller versions of themselves.
... for all who seek
The State Library of South Australia's digital collections, websites and research guides were accessed 4.3 million times during 2023-24, almost 12,000 times each day, and by over 800,000 users.
Public library collections were accessed through 11.5 million physical loans and loan renewals, and 3 million digital loans.
Visitation to the State Library's events and activations have exceeded expectations, with 368 engagement programs drawing in over 114,367 visitors to our spaces.
Public library programs across South Australia attracted more than 693,000 people to participate in 64,000 sessions.
Words Grow Minds
South Australian Libraries have been a key supporter for the Words Grow Minds campaign, launched in late 2022 and headed by Raising Literacy Australia.
Raising Literacy Australia CEO and Chair of the Early Years Taskforce Kate Ellis.
Raising Literacy Australia CEO and Chair of the Early Years Taskforce Kate Ellis.
The program was developed through the Early Years Taskforce, a partnership involving key South Australian child development organisations and government departments.
Whyalla Library staff
Whyalla Library staff
South Australian libraries will act as early literacy hubs, hosting training for all service providers and sharing the key messages with parents through Storytime sessions.
South Australian Literary Awards
The State Library was proud to unveil the new-look 2024 South Australian Literary Awards, the state's highest literary honour.
The biennial Awards celebrate Australia's diverse writing culture by offering national and state based literary prizes across a range of genres, as well as three fellowships for South Australian writers.
2024 Premier's Award and Fiction Award winner Shannon Burns.
2024 Premier's Award and Fiction Award winner Shannon Burns.
Former State Library Director Geoff Strempel, Minister for Arts The Hon Andrea Michaels MP.
Former State Library Director Geoff Strempel, Minister for Arts The Hon Andrea Michaels MP.
Jointly funded by the Government of South Australia and the Libraries Board, the South Australian Literary Awards offer a total prize pool of $167,500 across six national and five South Australian categories, including the coveted Premier’s Award worth $25,000 for the overall winner.
The Hon Peter Malinauskas at the 2024 South Australian Literary Awards.
The Hon Peter Malinauskas at the 2024 South Australian Literary Awards.
Writers SA and the State Library also announced the inaugural recipients of the SA Literary Fellowships. With investment from Creative Australia, Arts South Australia and the Libraries Board of South Australia, this program offers five annual creative writing fellowships to encourage the original and imaginative use of the Library’s spaces and collections to develop new literary works.
Former State Library Director Geoff Strempel and former Writers SA CEO Jessica Alice with winners of the 2024 SA Literary Fellowships.
Former State Library Director Geoff Strempel and former Writers SA CEO Jessica Alice with winners of the 2024 SA Literary Fellowships.
Significant collection acquisitions
The State Library announced the major acquisition of the personal archive of South Australian film director Scott Hicks. An extraordinary record of the life and career of one of Australia’s most influential filmmakers, Scott Hicks has entrusted the State Library with his personal collection of film memorabilia, including original film scripts, props, running sheets and award submissions. Selected items from the collection were on display at the State Library to coincide with the Adelaide Film Festival in October 2023.
Former State Library Director Geoff Strempel and Scott Hicks viewing the display of his personal film memorabilia collection.
Former State Library Director Geoff Strempel and Scott Hicks viewing the display of his personal film memorabilia collection.
The State Library received a major archive documenting iconic South Australian firm A. Simpson and Son and the Simpson family, dating from 1841 to 2015, presented to the Library by Ant Simpson. The Simpson name became synonymous with the production of innovative ideas and labour-saving machines, including its range of white goods.
Read our digital story about the collection:
From silk hats to white goods
Simpson washers in display window of a store, circa 1950.
Simpson washers in display window of a store, circa 1950.
Newly donated, the Edmondson Comic Collection consists of 15,000 individual titles dating 1885 to the 2000s and was built up by its owner since childhood. The collection includes titles such as Mickey Mouse Weekly, Eagle and Australian Boy, many with complete or almost complete runs, including the comic book phenomenon, The Phantom. This extraordinary and unique collection reflects the vast range of popular reading material available to Australian children in the twentieth century.
Ray Edmondson and Anthony Laube, Team Leader, Collection Development (Published Collections), State Library
Ray Edmondson and Anthony Laube, Team Leader, Collection Development (Published Collections), State Library
First Nations initiatives
Public Library Services commissioned a First Nations artwork through Aboriginal owned and operated business Ochre Dawn. The work by Ngarrindjeri, Nurrunga and Kaurna artist Gabriel Stengle is available to public libraries in physical and digital formats for their marketing and environments.
The Libraries Board has funded an Indigenous collections archival processing project, to ensure Indigenous collections held at State Library are appropriately managed. The State Library holds a significant collection of materials relating to the history and experiences of Indigenous Australian people in South Australia, and in the Northern Territory. This funding has allowed for the engagement of a First Nations community member to describe and make accessible as appropriate, more materials from State Library collections.
Initiated in 2022, the Aboriginal Reference Group works with State Records of South Australia and the State Library of South Australia to enhance access to archives and improve services relating to Aboriginal people and culture. The group works collaboratively with State Records and the State Library to develop and implement responses to the International Council on Archives Tandanya-Adelaide Declaration, to ensure our activities reflect Aboriginal experiences, and help agencies engage and partner with Aboriginal communities to deliver services and programs.
Aboriginal Reference Group members, State Records and State Library staff
Aboriginal Reference Group members, State Records and State Library staff
The State Library supported the Indigenous Literacy Foundation with the Great Book Swap event for Indigenous Literacy Day 2024, supporting access to books for children living in remote Indigenous communities.
Public Library Services is supporting the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) with funding to undertake a Community Publishing Project in Ceduna. ILF Ambassadors will help to mentor community to write, illustrate and publish a book.
Major exhibitions
The State Library opened Cornucopia – gardens and gardening in South Australia, a new exhibition as part of Nature Festival 2023, celebrating South Australia's rich gardening heritage. From First Nations peoples’ caretaking of the land to the charming gardens of the mid-20th century, Cornucopia drew on the State Library’s extensive collections to showcase some of SA’s most magnificent gardens, as well as suburban, country, school and market gardens.
Johnny Marchioro and his younger brother Romano, and the family cow in front of glass houses at Frogmore Road, Kidman Park, 1945.
Johnny Marchioro and his younger brother Romano, and the family cow in front of glass houses at Frogmore Road, Kidman Park, 1945.
Desert Jungle was a new exhibition of original collage artworks by renowned children’s book author and artist, Jeannie Baker. Co-produced by Penrith Regional Gallery, this travelling exhibition coincided with the release of Jeannie’s latest book. In spectacular and astonishing detail, Jeannie captures the deep beauty, mystery, and hidden vitality of the desert landscape, through the perspective of a young child and his grandfather.
Desert Jungle - Jeannie Baker
Desert Jungle - Jeannie Baker
Touring exhibition Disrupt, persist, invent: Australians in an ever-changing world explores the question ‘how do you change the world’, through records held by the National Archives of Australia. Using archival records, objects, audio-visual material and video portraits, the exhibition highlights inspiring ways that Australians have changed the world and how the Commonwealth has responded to these social, political, and technological changes.
Firstival
LibrariesSA launched Firstival in 2023 - a new initiative brought to South Australians by public libraries across the state.
Firstival is a ‘festival of new experiences’, with a diverse program featuring opportunities for connection, discussion and thrilling moments of discovery, with over 41,000 people attending a Firstival event.
Firstival is a reminder for us all to reconnect with our curiosity, to book out some time in our busy lives to do something different. Because at any age, in any walk of life, learning does wonders for our wellbeing.
Events and activations
The State Library partnered with major Festivals and city-wide events including Illuminate Adelaide, South Australia’s History Festival, Nature Festival and the Adelaide City Council's Christmas in the City to welcome audiences to the Library.
The State Library brought some Christmas cheer and magic to the city with Adelaide’s largest indoor Christmas tree. Now in its fourth year, a visit to Christmas at the Mortlock has become a festive season tradition for many South Australian families, with over 55,000 attending in 2023. Visitors enjoyed storytelling, school and community choirs, family activities, and special memorabilia on loan from the National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant.
The State Library invited visitors to High tea at the Mortlock - a delightful experience in one of the world's most beautiful libraries. Eight high tea sessions were offered, and all sold out within days of release.
High tea at the Mortlock
High tea at the Mortlock
Storytellers Distillery at the Mortlock again transformed the Mortlock Chamber into a pop-up gin bar throughout Illuminate Adelaide’s City Lights event. Serving a curated selection of their gins, visitors enjoyed music, live performances and displays. Over 35,000 visitors enjoyed this unique experience, many discovering the beautiful Mortlock for the first time.
Programs and stories
Talks and ideas at the State Library included a wide range of programs such as lectures, tours, exhibition floor talks, and workshops.
The State Library continued its popular monthly talk series, Stories from the stacks, revealing fascinating stories from the collections. These free talks are livestreamed to public libraries, and for anyone to watch on demand.
The State Library has continued to develop its digital engagement
strategies focusing on engaging and intriguing South Australian stories presented in a visually rich format.
Highlights include:
Cornucopia: Gardens and gardening in South Australia
Lust for lifestyle: Modern Adelaide homes 1950–1965
And many more are available on the website.
The State Library also partnered with many cultural, literary and history organisations to support their talks and programs, including National Archives of Australia, State Theatre Company South Australia, Royal Geographical Society of South Australia, Royal South Australian Society of Arts and the Friends of the State Library.
The Library has expanded programs for kids and families including the Start Art Book Club in partnership with the Art Gallery of South Australia, family reading nooks, school holiday activities and workshops with local artists and writers.
Local and Family History Project
The Libraries Board is progressing the ambitious Local and Family History Project, with the State Library and Public Libraries working together to determine a future collection access model for local and family history collections held by public libraries.
The service will provide an end-to-end digital solution, enhancing integration and collaboration between the State Library and LibrariesSA, benefiting the South Australian community, the South Australian Public Library Network, and the State Library.
This project will deliver key benefits in sustainable storage, improved discovery, and access to digital collections that are unique and valuable to South Australia.
Libraries Board Innovation Fund
The Libraries Board Innovation Fund is an initiative to inspire the South Australian Public Library Network to explore and create a future where libraries will continue to be vital hubs for the communities they serve.
Round 2 of funding for 2023-2024 approved the following projects for:
Cowell Library purchased laptops to enable community members without technology access to participate in learning opportunities.
Kingston Library ran weekly digital skills sessions for community groups.
Naracoorte Library will purchase technology to assist Men’s Shed users.
Port Adelaide Enfield Libraries developed a framework around gaming and eSports events in libraries across South Australia.
Whyalla Library is purchasing technology to deliver ‘being digital’ programs at Cowell and Cleve Libraries.
Improvements to eBook access
Successful discussions with digital content provider Libby (ebooks, audiobooks and emagazines) led to world-wide system improvements for public library customers enabling prompts on loaning material in other languages.
Out of the Box early literacy program
Public Library Services has a number of travelling children and family programs available for public library use, including the Out of the Box: I Want to Be a Scientist new science series which promotes STEM in early childhood library programs.
Technology uplift
Funded by the Libraries Board, Public Library Services introduced the Technology Uplift Program, to help School Community and Country libraries buy technology to deliver digital programs to their community.
Public Library Services received a $50,000 grant from Be Connected to deliver the Capacity Builders program, delivering 11 training sessions with 114 library staff. The State Library trained additional digital mentors from regional areas.
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