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Country report. Australia 2004

12th CDNLAO Meeting, 2004

(Back to main CDNLAO meetings page)

Library Administration

1) Library Organisational Structure (National Map)

A range of Library Councils, Associations and Foundations operate in Australia. A full list is provided on the Australian Libraries Gateway.

The Australian Libraries Gateway (ALG) is a free web-based directory service providing access to current information about Australian libraries, their collections and services. The following breakdown of the number of libraries in Australia by type was obtained from this source. Note that there are other Australian libraries not covered by the following categories which may be accessed via ALG.

Public libraries 1554
*Academic libraries (including TAFE and branch libraries for Australia's 38 universities) 696
*Special/Private libraries (including Agriculture, Art, Audio-visual, Corporate/Business, Cultural organisation, Health/Medical, Law, Local/Family history, Mobile, Music, Religious, Research, Science/Technology, Special, & Toy libraries ) 2,823
*Government libraries (Government and Parliamentary) 687
(* actual numbers are slightly less, because there is some double counting when libraries identify in more than one category)

2) New libraries built last year.

Data on new or refurbished libraries is not readily available.

3) General trends of visitorship and membership

A number of Australian libraries have reported in recent years that onsite visits are declining, although visits to public libraries remains high. Use of library resources and services online is rising. In many cases library members can access subscription resources as well as free resources from their homes, offices or other sites, without visiting the library in person.

4) New features introduced into libraries

The majority of libraries in Australia have internet access and the Australian library sector is exploiting the delivery of services electronically that the Internet facilitates.

Collection Profile

1) Total volume of collections at the national level

Australia has a total collection of over 37 million items catalogued on to the National Bibliographic Database (NBD). Information about the NBD is available on the web.

2) Unique Collections / Rare Collections

Many of Australia's state, territory and national "treasures" are kept within formed collections within the National Library of Australia and the eight Australian state and territory libraries. These cornerstone collections are held by:

National Library of Australia

State Library of NSW - Mitchell & Dixson Libraries

Northern Territory Library and Information Services - Northern Territory Library

State Library of Queensland - John Oxley Library

State Library of South Australia - Mortlock Library of South Australiana

State Library of Tasmania

State Library of Victoria - La Trobe Library

Library and Information Service of Western Australia - J.S. Battye Library of WA History

ACT Library & Information Services - ACT Heritage Library

A list of special collections held within Australian libraries but not yet catalogued. (this list has not been updated for several years)

3) Bibliographies and Indexes Published

A large number of bibliographies and indexes are published in Australia across all subject disciplines. Some are available via the Internet, either freely or on subscription, while others are available on CD-ROM or in print form. A good indication of the range can be found by browsing the Australian Indexes & Databases page on the National Library's web site.

In addition the Australian library sector also supports and promotes several subject gateways that list and where possible, provide direct access to electronic content. More information about the Australian Subject gateways.

4) National Databases

Kinetica, an Internet-based national bibliographic service for Australian libraries and their users, supports resource sharing and library operations for over 1000 Australian and regional libraries. The core of Kinetica is the National Bibliographic Database (NBD), which records the location of over 37 million holdings and over 13 million bibliographic records. Librarians use this database for interlibrary lending, reference, collection development and cataloguing. Through Kinetica, libraries have access to other databases, including the USA's Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN database), CURL, Te Puna (New Zealand), the Deutsche Bibliothek Database and OCLCs WorldCat. Increasingly Australians are able to use the database to identify resources for their research and access online. More information about Kinetica is available.

Infrastructure

1) Dedicated Library Networks in the country

There are several key library networks operating in Australia. Of these, the main bodies include the Council of Australian State Libraries (CASL), the Committee of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) and the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Some information about these organisations is provided below, including links to their web sites.

The Council of Australian State Libraries (CASL)

The Council of Australian State Libraries (CASL) is the peak body representing State and Territory libraries and the National Library throughout Australia. These libraries have a major responsibility for collecting the documentary heritage of their state or territory, providing quality reference and research services and assisting in the provision of public library services to the people of Australia.

The CASL Constitution outlines the areas in which National, State and Territory Libraries will jointly meet the nation's needs for library and information services. Through the following actions the goal is to increase participation, provide telecommunications infrastructure, lead effective advocacy and maintain and develop heritage collections:

CASL currently has several major collaborative projects in progress. This includes the work of the CASL Consortium and the AskNow digital chat reference service. These are described in greater detail below.

The Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL)

Since the first meeting of Australian university librarians in 1928 and the formation of the Council of Australian University Librarians in 1975, CAUL has sought to ensure a common voice and representation for all university libraries, provide a forum for discussion, and promote common interests. The CAUL strategic plan emphasises collaborative activities which will contribute to the achievement of key objectives including:

CAUL & its members are currently engaged in a range of activities including:

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA)

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is the professional organisation for the Australian library and information services sector. It aims to empower the profession in the development, promotion and delivery of quality library and information services to the nation, through leadership, advocacy and mutual support.

It does this in a number of ways. ALIA's website provides information and representation for the diverse structure of the association including branches, sections and special interest groups. ALIA Awards are presented each year to reward members of the library and information community on a national and regional level. ALIA also produces a wide range of publications including the Australian Library Journal, and a regular news magazine to members called inCite.

In addition ALIA hosts a number of conferences. These cover special interest and subject specific issues as well as the premier conference for the entire Australian library profession which is held on a biannual basis. The next ALIA conference will be held 21-24 September 2004 at the Gold Coast.

2) Connectivity at the National level

In March 2004 it was estimated that 58% of Australian households had Internet access. (note:source no longer accessible in 2005) and 84% of the population aged between 16 or over had Internet access. 25% of Internet connections are broadband connections..

3). Services

Reference Services (any new initiatives, etc)
The National Library has experienced an increasing demand for electronic reference services whilst demand for face to face reference service is declining. Over the past year, the Library has purchased substantial electronic resources, many in full text which are available in the Library's Reading Rooms. In an effort to market and promote these resources monthly tutorials have been offered to end users. Web site usage has increased significantly and the Library's digitisation initiatives will ensure the availability online of many of the Library resources, including pictorial material, rare maps and music.

The NLA continues to participate in:

CASL Consortium
This is a consortium of Australian State, Territory and National libraries formed for the purpose of acquiring access to commercial electronic information resources. Its aim is to simplify licensing arrangements, improve cost benefits for member libraries, and to explore opportunities for making electronic product more widely available to Australians, regardless of where they live.

The CASL libraries have also collaborated to develop an online interactive chat reference service for users Australia wide. The service is known as AskNow: Online Answers Australia Wide.

A key feature of the chat reference service, AskNow which distinguishes it from the email reference services already offered by the participating libraries is that a user can ask a question and receive an answer immediately. The service is available via the Internet through the use of 24/7 chat software and can be used by anyone with a standard PC and Internet connection. The service operates from Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 7.00pm (50 hours per week), taking advantage of the different time zones across Australia. AskNow is an initiative of the Council of Australian State Libraries and reference staff from the National, State and Territory libraries are rostered for three 'seats' each session. Accordingly, when a user connects to the services they may have their questions answered by someone outside their home State or Territory. The National Library of New Zealand and the National Library Board of Singapore are also participating in AskNow!

The AskNow services allows a reference librarian to chat with the user online and to send web pages through to the user's computer screen. Users can be guided through a search as the user and librarian view the same web pages. Apart from the benefit of an immediate answer to a reference enquiry from off-site users, the service also enables the complete transcription of the librarian/user interaction to be emailed to the user at the end of the session together with any web addresses which the librarian has provided during the course of the chat reference session.

One of the positive things to emerge so far from monitoring and evaluation of the service is that use of the service is coming from all over Australia and from all age groups. Forty per cent of users come from outside the major population centres. Many are unsure of the best way to search the Internet to find the information they need and by working through the search with a librarian users improve their own information literacy.

Through collaborating to bring about the AskNow service, each participant has been able to offer their users a new service and to provide an effective means of reaching off-site clients that would not be possible on their own. The nature of the service is also enabling participants to increase awareness nationally of their role and functions.

National Bibliographic (Agency) Services
The National Library facilitates the continued development of a national bibliography through support for Kinetica, the Internet-based national bibliographic service. The National Library is also the Australian agency for ISSN and ISMN.

Reading promotion and Information Literacy Programmes
The public library system in Australia promotes reading to the community. The Australian Library and Information Association has developed an Information Literacy Advocacy Kit (2003).

Most Australian universities have ongoing information literacy programs, and the Council of Australian University Librarians adopted Information Literacy Standards in 2001.

The federal government has committed to a $240 million program, the Book Industry Assistance Plan (BIAP), over four years to promote the intrinsic value of books, reading and literacy, and the books of Australian writers. The 'Books Alive' concept-awareness campaign is one of the initiatives of the BIAP. ALIA is a member of the reference group. Other initiatives under the Plan include grants to school libraries, surveys of publishers, and grants to promote competitiveness in the printing industry.

Digital Library Services

Digital Services Project (DSP) The Digital Services Project is the National Library of Australia's key strategy for ensuring effective management of its digital collections.

The development and delivery of digital services is occurring within the context of the Library's strategic directions statement, with an emphasis on fast and convenient access. The key principles guiding the development of the Library's digital services architecture are:

With this in mind the National Library of Australia has developed an architecture for the management, discovery and delivery of its digital collections, embracing both digitised and born digital information resources. The components of this architecture interoperate using recognised standards developed by communities working in the field of digital libraries. The main elements of the architecture are:

The Library was able to implement the lower and upper layers of its architecture (the Digital Object Storage System and the Metadata Repository and Search System) using products available in the marketplace. However, this was not possible for the middle layer, and the Library has been obliged to develop two significant software components itself. The Library hopes that it will be able to replace these components in the future with products from the marketplace.

The Library has also embarked on a major digitisation program to provide greater access to its collections through digitisation of traditional format library materials. The National Library of Australia Digitisation Policy 2000 - 2004 is available.

MusicAustralia is a web-based music service that will provide integrated access to Australian music resources and information to all Australians and other interested users. MusicAustralia will be developed and delivered as a collaboration between the National Library of Australia, ScreenSound Australia, the National Screen and Sound Archive and other national cultural institutions and the wider Australian music community. MusicAustralia aims to make Australian music resources and information widely accessible: music in all its formats, across styles and genres, and including both heritage and contemporary material.

PictureAustralia is a web service hosted by the National Library of Australia on behalf of a range of Australian cultural institutions including galleries, museums, libraries, archives, and historical societies. It provides access to many pictorial collections from the one search screen - bringing Australia's cultural heritage together and to the fingertips of users. The service is based on a Dublin Core metadata index hosted at the National Library which links to digitised images held on the web sites of participating cultural agencies, and relies on the Internet for its delivery. At present, over one million images may be viewed via PictureAustralia from the collections of thirty eight institutions.

Other Australian Digitisation Projects
Information about digitisation projects in Australia is available online on the Australian Libraries Gateway. The service aims to record and make accessible information about the projects and the digitisation procedures being used by Australian cultural organisations. It is aimed at Australian art galleries, libraries, museums, archives and other public and private institutions that are engaged in cultural projects involving digitisation. It assists in keeping up to date with developments in digitisation and locating other institutions to share expertise and experience with. Key projects include: Picture Queensland.

Regional Directory
The Libraries of Asia Pacific directory was redeveloped during 2003 to enable all libraries with an entry to update that entry themselves. All libraries in the region are encouraged to update their entry, or add their entry if they are not already included. A printed version was distributed to all CDNLAO region libraries with an entry in the directory.

Inter-library loan and Document supply
The National Resource Sharing Working Group (NRSWG) was established in 1999 to examine interlibrary loan (ILL) / resource-sharing issues between libraries and recommend actions to improve services to users. The NRSWG's membership comes from many types of libraries around the nation. The group revised Australia's interlibrary loan standards and released the Interlibrary Resource Sharing (ILRS) Code as a result. It has also completed a major study, the NRSWG Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Benchmarking Study, which identified factors for high performance in ILL/DD and indicates the broad trends in interlending in Australia.

The 8th IFLA Interlending & Document Supply International Conference was held at the National Library of Australia in Canberra, Australia, in October 2003. In November 2004, an international conference, Archiving Web Resources, will be held at the National Library of Australia.

Copies Direct is a fee paid service provided by the National Library of Australia to supply users with copies of articles, chapters of books, pictures, maps, manuscripts, music, transcripts or other material from the National Library of Australia's collections under the provisions of the Australian Copyright Act 1968. Copies Direct also supplies copies that are not available in the National Library of Australia but can be sourced from other Australian or overseas collections.

Special Services - (eg. Disadvantaged, etc)
In March 2002 representatives of library, disability and government organisations attended a one-day Forum on Library Service for People with Disabilities convened by the National Library of Australia. The purpose of the Forum was to identify areas in which library services to people with disabilities could be improved through action taken at a national level. The background papers for the Forum are prepared by a range of the participants. A follow-up meeting was held in early 2004, and papers for that meeting are also available at the URL above.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) summarises the library sector's response to the issue of providing disability services in their Statement on library services for people with disabilities. In effect, the library community abides by the Disability Discrimination Legislation (1992) and related legislation of the states and territories to ensure that services provided to people with disabilities offer equal opportunities and further the integration of people with disabilities in the community and complement services available generally to people in the community.

Services for the multicultural community occur in libraries at all levels. In mid-2004 the National Library produced a kit and convened a workshop for community groups wishing to preserve documentary heritage materials. Several state libraries have multicultural programs, and many public libraries maintain collections in community languages.

Training
Number of Professional Librarians
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) has over 5000 personal members which is the best indicative data available at this stage on the number of professional librarians working in Australia. It is thought to be a substantial underestimation but more accurate data does not yet exist.

Number of Library training schools
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), publishes a guide to courses in library and information studies on an annul basis. The Courses in library and information studies information is available online. Essentially, there are twenty six institutions offering accredited qualifications for professional librarianship and library technicians.

Copyright

Number of Copyright/IPR Watchdogs or Associations
The main copyright associations in Australia are:

Copyright Collecting Societies
(These are organisations which collectively administer their members' copyrights)

Major changes in the Copyright / IPR laws impacting libraries
The Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000 (DAA), was introduced to meet the challenges of electronic technology and is the most comprehensive piece of copyright legislation since the principal Copyright Act was passed in 1968. The DAA contained a number of library and archives exceptions.