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As my term as Chairman of the Council of the National Library of
Australia draws to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on
the achievements of the Library over the past three years. Not only has the
Library successfully implemented major changes in its financial and performance
management in keeping with the Government's reform agenda, it has also made
excellent progress towards achieving its ambitious goal of delivering services
and information online to all Australians, regardless of their location, as
defined in Directions for
20002002.
The past year, in particular, has seen
tremendous progress in the development of diverse partnerships that have
facilitated new business models for service delivery at the national level. The
PictureAustralia service, which offers a single entry point for Australians
seeking images of their history and culture, held in libraries, museums and
galleries across Australia, is an outstanding example of this.
The Library's commitment to excellence has been
recognised this year with three major awards. The
PictureAustralia service won the
Australian Financial Review's Australian Internet Award 2000 for the
best arts site, the 19992000 Annual Report was a joint winner of
the Institute of Public Administration Australia award for the best annual
report from an agency operating under the Commonwealth Authorities and
Companies Act 1997, and the Library was awarded the Whole of Commonwealth
Energy and Environmental Award for the Best Energy Management Program. These
awards are pleasing recognition of the work of the staff across all areas of
the Library.
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John Gould The Birds of
Australia (London: published 1840-1848) National Library
treasure and signature image for the Library's
centenary celebrations in 2001.
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One hundred years ago the concept of a national
library was embodied in the new library established in 1901 to serve the
Commonwealth Parliament. In its centenary year, the Library has much to be
proud of in the way it is meeting the challenges of continuing to serve the
information needs of the Australian people.
The Library's success, of course, is due largely
to the commitment of its staff and their ability to develop and implement new
pathways for the future. I would like to thank them for their hard work,
forward thinking and dedication. I am also delighted with the way in which the
Director-General, Jan Fullerton has successfully taken up this important and
challenging role.
Finally, I would also like to acknowledge the
work of all those who have served on the Council under my Chairmanship, and
thank them most sincerely for their support and their contribution to the
governance of the Library.
I believe that, as I complete my term as Chair,
the Library is strongly positioned to meet its challenges in the next 100
years. I wish my successor Sir James Gobbo, AC every success during his term as
Chairman of Council.
Jim Bain
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