Regional Western Australia Library Consortium Case Study

This case study outlines the operations and growth of the Regional Western Australia Library Consortium (RWALC), which has expanded from 17 to 34 libraries in six months. It highlights the consortium's geographical reach, covering regions from Albany to Pilbara, making it the largest local government library consortium in Australia. The document details the transition from an outdated library management system to the Spydus platform, emphasizing the benefits of this change for member libraries. Key outcomes include an affordable library management platform and a streamlined data migration process. The case study also describes how Albany Public Library manages contracts, subscriptions, and support for consortium libraries, ensuring equitable cost distribution based on population. Additionally, it discusses the advantages for borrowers, such as the ability to borrow from any consortium library with a single library card and the popularity of consortium reservations. The RWALC aims to continue its growth, with plans to add more libraries and local government areas in the future.