Collaborations and affiliations

At State Library Victoria, we are proud to lead, connect and collaborate across the library and information landscape in Victoria and beyond. The Library collaborates with an extensive range of partners to develop collective economies and knowledge-sharing strategies.

New and ongoing relationships with galleries, libraries, archives and museums, educational institutions, government agencies and not-for-profit associations play an invaluable role in extending the services we can offer to the Victorian public.

State Library Victoria sits within the Creative Industries portfolio, overseen by Creative Victoria, part of the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions. In line with the Libraries Act 1988, the Library Board of Victoria is entrusted with key responsibilities that guide our work. Under the direction of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer manages the Library, including its collections, services, programs and responsibilities. 

International collaborations

The Library has agreements with international libraries that aim to facilitate opportunities for collaboration, innovation and advocacy. 

The Library’s inaugural international Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was made with the National Library Board (NLB) of Singapore in 2002. This agreement evolved from a Victorian Government initiative to develop cultural links between Victoria’s arts agencies and those in Singapore. After three renewals this agreement became ongoing in 2012.

Between 2017 and 2022, the Library entered into agreements with two of China’s largest public libraries, in Nanjing and Sichuan. These agreements are indicative of the significant role of collaborative partnerships between cultural institutions in supporting the overall strength of Victoria–China relations identified in the 2015 Cultural Partnership Agreement between the Victorian Government and the Ministry of Culture in Beijing.

Beyond these formal agreements, every year sees the Library host a number of cultural delegations and professional development short-term visits from institutions and countries all over the world. 

State Library Victoria is a member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), an organisation promoting the essential role libraries play in society and advancing library and information services for a thriving democracy. 

Local affiliations

At a national level, the Library contributes significantly to peak bodies such as National and State Libraries Australasia (NSLA). Member libraries maintain, preserve and provide access to Australia’s cultural heritage. 

We work with NSLA partner libraries in the development of shared solutions, with a current focus on digital collection development and preservation, national eDeposit, open access and copyright, and Indigenous services and collections.

The Library engages with and learns from colleagues through attendance at conferences and meetings hosted by organisations such as the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA).

Our partnerships with Australian academic institutions range from Australian Research Council (ARC) funded research projects, to publishing activities and research fellowships such as the Redmond Barry Fellowship with the University of Melbourne.

The Library is working with the following academic research partners on current, recently completed and potential ARC projects:

• Adelaide University
• Australian Library and Information Association
• Australian National University
• Charles Sturt University
• La Trobe University
• Monash University
• Museums Victoria
• RMIT University
• Swinburne University
• University of Queensland
• University of Melbourne

Other partnerships include the Australian Learning Lecture (ALL), a 10-year joint project with the Koshland Innovation Fund, which seeks to bring big ideas in education to national attention, and an ongoing affiliation with Melbourne Writers Festival, supporting Melbourne’s leadership in literature in Australia and beyond.

A sector-wide approach

As part of our ambitious Strategic Plan, the Library works to enrich the cultural, educational, social and economic lives of all Victorians through sector-wide engagement. This includes:

• Overseeing the exhibition of material from the State Collection for education, information and entertainment
• Promoting cooperation with other libraries and information organisations to improve access to services and resources
• Exercising leadership and promoting high standards across the library and information services sector
• Administering a variety of fellowships and facilitating scholarships that empower library professionals and promote high standards and leadership in the public library sector.

The Library works collaboratively with public libraries across the state via our partnership with Public Libraries Victoria (PLV) to deliver better services to all Victorians. Much of the State Library's work with public libraries is about building capacity in the sector. It focuses on workforce and leadership development, advocacy, sharing best practice, and identifying partnering opportunities to respond to critical issues facing the sector. The Library also works collaboratively to deliver community programs in public libraries, especially in regional areas.

The Library is committed to supporting cultural cooperation and collaboration within the international galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) sector. These activities enable the Library to connect with global and local audiences, raise the Library’s (and Victoria’s) profile, connect global best practice into the Victorian library sector, and deliver broad economic, cultural and social benefits.

Our leadership focus

To deliver on our legislative functions and strategic goals, we prioritise three core elements of sector leadership:

• Connection to best practice: engaging with national and international leaders in library and information services to inspire local innovation
• Advocacy: leading dialogue on sector-wide issues and championing the role of libraries in a dynamic information environment
• Capability building: supporting the ongoing development of library professionals and services across Victoria.