Ways of working commitment
Today we remain just as committed to our foundational ideals of universal education, social justice, freedom of expression, sustainable communities, economic growth and participative democracy.
Our aspiration focuses on actively listening to the voices of our community, ensuring that our collecting and programming is relevant and representative, and genuinely reflects the diverse life experiences of Victorians, providing different ways for people to connect, debate, explore ideas and be heard.
Values
Our values are the foundation of the Library's culture and identity; they shape how we interact with our audiences, partners, and stakeholders; they guide our decision-making and actions; and they set expectations for positive behaviours of our workforce and of those we engage with externally. Treating all people fairly and with respect is at the core of these values.
We are committed to:
- Respect: We strive to create an open and caring community by valuing and supporting individuals and acknowledging the strength of diversity
- Collaboration: We work together and with partners, sharing knowledge and resources to advance universal access to information
- Engagement: We work to understand, connect and inspire the people we serve, and focus on meeting rapidly changing community needs
- Innovation: We recognise and embrace new technologies, ideas and opportunities to improve, grow and develop as individuals and as industry leaders
- Excellence: We deliver outstanding services, created and delivered with the highest standards of professionalism.
We expect contractors working with us to share these values and play their part in upholding them.
Ways of Working Commitment – Principles, Parameters and Practice
The Ways of Working Commitment is informed by these core values and sits within a framework of Principles, Parameters and Practice. This framework is built around the central tenets of freedom of expression and respect, access to knowledge and equity inclusion and dignity for all.
To develop, deliver and facilitate public programs, events and exhibitions for the communities we serve, the Library regularly works with authors, artists, presenters and contractors from different disciplines. This document provides the context within which the Library does this, sets out our engagement approach and the mutual obligations we share with the contractors we work with.
Victorian Public Sector (VPS) Employees at the Library are also bound by the VPS Code of Conduct which ensures we demonstrate the values of responsiveness, integrity, impartiality, accountability, respect, leadership, and human rights.
Principles
The Library will adhere to the following principles, and we ask contractors to agree to do the same when working with us to develop and deliver Library programs, initiatives and activities:
- Respecting the values that guide the Library’s governance, programming, operations and services responsibilities, including adherence to Library policies and ways of working
- Valuing and crediting the knowledge, expertise and input of those involved in developing and participating in the Library’s programs and services
- Aligning with the Library’s Freedom of Expression and Respectful Behaviour Schedule, the Library Values, and other relevant policies
- While engaged with the Library (from signing of contract to completion), agreeing that if there is public expression of one’s personal views and opinions, it will be clearly stated that these views and opinions do not reflect or represent the views or positions of State Library Victoria, or any other person, company or organisation
- Making commitments in good faith and with clarity of purpose
- Build working relationships based on mutual respect, and with honesty, integrity, consistency and transparency
- Recognising and respecting the rich culture and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia and respecting their right to self-representation and self-determination
- Abiding by the law, institutions of government and democratic principles
- Where possible that we engage in reciprocal reflection, feedback and evaluation to inform our shared professional growth.
Parameters
The ‘parameters’ are our shared rules of engagement that provide clarity and accountability for all parties involved.
The parameters include clauses and schedules in our contract which includes a Freedom of Expression and Respectful Conduct Schedule, our commitment to our Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct and other important safety and organisational policies.
State Library Victoria is committed to being clear and transparent in outlining these parameters in our procurement and contracting and program delivery processes.
Practice
This commitment is underpinned by the practice of relational intent¹, a process for individually and collectively ensuring trust, clarity and accountability in how Library staff and contractors work with each other from commencement to completion of projects. This process involves:
- Bringing clearly articulated approaches to our deliberations
- Engaging in open dialogue that facilitates robust debate and discussion in a respectful way, even when uncomfortable
- Listening deeply and considering the perspectives and lived experience of others
- Showing respect, compassion and empathy in our interactions and valuing the expertise and experience of those we engage with.
Our practices include our curatorial and programming priorities, connected to our Strategic Plan and underpinned by our commitment to ensuring access for all to learning, knowledge and culture.
The Library has developed a Curatorial Statement that helps guide our programming, content and curatorial practice.
¹ Goslett, M & Selkirk, B (2025) 'Wangii Widhan Biyay (Baskets of Listening & Respect)', in Sunil Bhatia, Jesica Siham Fernández, and Christopher C. Sonn (eds), Decolonial Psychology: Academic and Activist Perspectives, forthcoming (chapter accepted for publication)