“To enrich the lives of Western Australians by:

- enabling access to resources for information, learning, enterprise and recreation

- collecting and preserving our social and documentary heritage for current and future generations”

The Organisation
The State Library’s Strategic Directions 2006 – 2008 recognises that the delivery of services falls into three key activity areas – client services, resource services and strategic development. These are reflected in the Library’s organisational structure with three directorates – Client Services, Resource Services and Strategic and Corporate Services each comprising teams undertaking major operational activities. In addition, a policy and research unit is attached to the Executive to provide research support and policy development and advice on matters relevant to the State Library and librarianship.

• Public Libraries
  State and Local Governments have undertaken the joint provision of public library services in Western Australia since the 1950s. A shared vision with Local Government exists of a sustainable and responsive network of vibrant, connected, well-resourced, free public libraries that are hubs of community life.
  
  
• The J S Battye Library of West Australian History
  The J S Battye Library of West Australian History (Battye Library) provides access to Western Australia's published documentary heritage as well as collections of original Western Australian historical records.

The State Records Office was formerly a directorate within State Library of Western Australia, but is now an independent agency within the Department of Culture & the Arts. The Department of Culture & the Arts web site provides information about their services and collections.

Our Customer Service Charter explains our philosophy of client service, and we welcome your feedback. The Annual Report of the Library Board of Western Australia gives an overview of our activities.

The State Library is governed by The Library Board of Western Australia in compliance with a range of Legislation. In response to the recommendations of the Government's policy statement Delivering a Better Government, a review of statutory authorities was being undertaken, including a review of the Library Board of Western Australia. In December 2002, the decisions from that review were announced, and the Library Board of Western Australia was confirmed as a Statutory Authority with a degree of independence from Government direction and control in relation to its specific functions. You may like to find out more information about the review.

Within government the State Library is a service agency within the Department of Culture & the Arts. The other agencies within the Department are the WA Museum, Art Gallery of Western Australia, ArtsWA, the Perth Theatre Trust, Screenwest and the State Records Office.

The State Library of Western Australia is registered as a business for GST purposes and our Australian Business Number (ABN) is 78 170 824 164.

Our history starts in 1887 with the formation of the Victoria Public Library (which later became the State Library).

Employment Opportunities
The State Library of Western Australia provides a smoke free working environment and is an equal employment opportunity employer. People from non-English backgrounds, women, young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait people and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for vacancies.

Employment opportunities at the State Library of Western Australia are advertised on the web site: http://jobs.wa.gov.au/.

2008 SLWA Graduate Program
As part of the State Library of WA’s (SLWA) leadership role for the Library profession, the SLWA Graduate Program has been developed as an opportunity for graduates to participate in a structured, developmental program consisting of work placements plus training and development opportunities. The Graduate Program offers Librarian and Library Technician graduates a twelve-month program to prepare you for a varied career in the Library. Find out more information.

James Sykes Battye Memorial Fellowship
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Battye Library, the Library Board of Western Australia has established the James Sykes Battye Memorial Fellowship.  The Fellowship, up to the value of $20,000, has been established through the Leah Jane Cohen Library Bequest.  Leah Jane Cohen was a keen supporter of the Library and her enduring generosity will enable others to use the Battye collections to further our understanding of Western Australia. Find out more information.