Working collaboratively in local studies in Orange NSW.

• Author: Richards, Jan
• Position: Report

In July 2008 the Orange Family History Group entered into a partnership with Central West Libraries in NSW to merge its activities and resources into the library's infrastructure. This has been a win/win for both parties, and for family and local historians. The members still meet but now have time to focus on matters of interest, rather than administrative issues. Together, exciting projects have been developed which allow for rewarding volunteering and which deliver great benefits to clients. Most importantly, through the expertise and enthusiasm of the members, it has been possible to value add to the reference and research service. Edited version of a paper presented at A sense of place: local studies in Australia and New Zealand conference Sydney 5-6 May 2011.

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Orange City Library is a member of Central West Libraries and is widely recognised for its comprehensive local and family history collections which attract users from across central west NSW and other parts of Australia. The provision and development of these services is a major strategy in the library's 2006 planning document No longer a quiet place.

As is common in many regional communities the library had established a strong relationship with members of the Orange Family History Group (OFHG). This included

* volunteer support by OFHG members in assisting members of the community to use the library's family history resources

* donation of resources by the OFHG to the library

* free use of the library by the OFHG for meetings, book launches, seminars etc

* library used as a point of sale for OFHG publications.

In late 2006 discussions commenced concerning a more formalised relationship between the two organisations, for their mutual benefit. This conversation was instigated by the OFHG which felt bogged down in a mire of administration and just wanted to get on with family history. Under its proposal the library and the group would develop a partnership whereby for legal purposes the OFHG would become a library program.

A discussion paper was developed to stimulate discussion which in turn led to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which clarified issues about the proposed cooperative association. At a special general meeting held on 19 February 2008 OFHG members voted overwhelmingly, by 31 to 3, to support the merger. This became official from the 1 July that same year.

Background

Located on the central tablelands of NSW 3.5 hours drive west of Sydney the city of Orange has grown from its rich mining past. Orange has a population of 38,000 people and with surrounding towns and villages, supports a population of 100,000 through its industrial, commercial and service resources. Because of its four distinct seasons it is referred to as Australia's colour city and is well known for its beautiful parks, manicured and exquisite gardens and historic streetscapes.

Orange City Library was established in 1956. The library is a member of Central West Libraries, a regional service encompassing the local government areas of Orange, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra and Forbes. In 1986 Orange City Library moved to its current purpose built facility and from that time there has been a focus on the development of the local studies and genealogy collections. These are heavily used by local residents and by visitors to the city...