National Library of Australia Annual Report 2000-01
NLA homeAnnual Report homeContents    


 
Corporate Overviewpage 1page 2page 3page 4page 5page 6page 7page 8
Role
The functions of the Library, as set out in Section 6 of the National Library Act 1960 are:
Come on boys, follow the flag c. 1916
click to enlarge imageHackett 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.

  top on to Legislation

contents
glossarysearchhelp
contact usdownload annual reportpurchase annual report