| The functions of the Library,
as set out in Section 6 of the National Library Act 1960 are: |
 |
Hackett and Northfield
Come On Boys, Follow the Flag! c.1916 Published by Troedel and
Cooper Pictorial Collection One of the many images in the
exhibition Belonging: A Century
Celebrated, looking at some of the ways people have experienced
'belonging' in Australia in the twentieth century |
|
(a) |
to maintain and develop a
national collection of library material, including a comprehensive collection
of library material relating to Australia and the Australian people; |
(b) |
to make library material
in the national collection available to such persons and institutions, and in
such manner and subject to such conditions, as the Council determines with a
view to the most advantageous use of that collection in the national
interest; |
(c) |
to make available such
other services in relation to library matters and library material (including
bibliographical services) as the Council thinks fit, and in particular,
services for the purposes of: |
|
| (i) |
the library of the
Parliament; |
| (ii) |
the Departments and
authorities of the Commonwealth; and |
| (iii) |
the Territories; and |
|
(d) |
to cooperate in library
matters (including the advancement of library science) with authorities or
persons, whether in Australia or elsewhere, concerned with library matters.
|
The Library is one of
several agencies within the Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
portfolio with responsibilities for collecting Australian cultural heritage
materials and making these available to the Australian public. The Hon. Peter
McGauran MP, Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation, continued
as the Minister responsible for the Library together with the Portfolio
Minister, Senator the Hon. Richard Alston. The affairs of the Library are
conducted by the National Library Council, with the Director-General as chief
executive officer and member of the Council. |