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.
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RECOMMENDATION |
SUGGESTED |
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Collection development and resource sharing |
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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 |
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(ii) To facilitate this objective, a RIEF proposal be developed to fund the identification of eligible monograph collections and their addition to the NBD |
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Interlibrary loan |
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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 |
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· Australian libraries be urged to make the majority of items in their collections available for interlending |
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International Access to Overseas Imprint Monographs |
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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 |
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User awareness of access mechanisms |
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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 |
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Library responsiveness to user needs |
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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 |
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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