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National Round Table on Access to Overseas Monographs through Australian Libraries

DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS

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Preface

A fundamental objective of libraries is to provide access to information resources in all formats. Australian libraries recognise that for those resources created in monograph form, the printed medium will remain the primary means of publication and user reference.

This Round Table has considered the present situation for user access to overseas published monographs through Australian libraries. It recognises that access to such monographs is integral to study and research in Australia in many subject disciplines.

The resolutions identify a number of areas in which user access to monographs published overseas can be improved: in collection development and resource sharing; by improved Australian standards for interlibrary loan; by improved international access; and by greater user awareness of how to access information resources.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

SUGGESTED
RESPONSIBILITY

 

Collection development and resource sharing

   

R1

That research libraries examine options for the efficient analysis of strengths, overlaps and gaps in Australian research library collections. The suitability of the Western Library Network (WLN) Automated Collection Analysis Services should be tested in Australia for this purpose

NLA/CAUL


R2


(i) The coverage of the National Bibliographic Database (NBD) should be extended to include overseas imprint monographs that are either

  • uncatalogued, or
  • recorded only in local catalogues

(ii) To facilitate this objective, a RIEF proposal be developed to fund the identification of eligible monograph collections and their addition to the NBD


CAUL/NLA

     
 

Interlibrary loan

 

R3

That performance standards be developed, based on widespread consultation with libraries, for all levels of interlibrary loan service. These standards should encompass such indicators as borrowing turnaround time, fill rate and client satisfaction

ACLIS/ALIA/NLA/CAUL/CASL/ CSIRO


R4


Recognising that the Australian interlending system is based on voluntary and reciprocal cooperation between libraries, this Round Table recommends that:

· Australian libraries be urged to make the majority of items in their collections available for interlending


ACLIS/ALIA
CAUL/NLA

 

International Access to Overseas Imprint Monographs

R5

That an Australian Task Force be established to examine issues relating to international interlending. This Task Force should examine ways to facilitate user access to monographs published overseas that are not held in Australian libraries

NLA/CAUL

 

User awareness of access mechanisms

R6

That libraries and learned societies promote user understanding of the access mechanisms within the library infrastructure, by such means as education programs to improve users' ability to locate, verify and borrow items

NAF/NLA/CAUL

 

Library responsiveness to user needs

R7

That Australian libraries, in evaluating their services, take account of user needs and perceptions of the quality of access to overseas imprint monographs, whether through collection provision or interlibrary loan

CAUL/NLA/CASL
ALIA/ACLIS

 

ACRONYMS

ACLIS Australian Council of Libraries and Information Services
ALIA Australian Library and Information Association
CAUL Council of Australian University Librarians
CASL Council of Australian State Libraries
CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
NAF National Academies Forum
NBD National Bibliographic Database
RIEF Research Infrastructure (Equipment and Facilities) Program of the Australian Research Council & Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs
WLN Western Libraries Network [USA]

 


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Last updated 24 August 1998
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