National Library of Australia Annual Report 2000-01
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Chairman's Report

Jim Bain, Chairman of the Council of the National Library of AustraliaAs 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 2000–2002.

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.

The Birds of Australia, John Gould

click to enlarge imageJohn Gould
The Birds of Australia

(London: published
1840-1848)

National Library treasure and signature image for the Library's centenary celebrations in 2001.

 

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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