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NLA 35th Annual Report 1994-95


International Activities


Objectives
  • To maintain and develop a significant presence in the international library and research community, aligned with Australia's longer-term foreign policy, trade and humanitarian objectives.
  • To integrate the Library's developments effectively within the international system of information and library networks and networked applications.

The Library's strategic objectives were advanced with the strengthening of its decade-long relationship with the National Library of Vietnam. The Library provided a training placement for two National Library of Vietnam staff members during the first half of the year and undertook a project aimed at extending Vietnamese access to the international electronic information network. The latter initiative involved sending an experienced, Vietnamese-speaking systems officer, Mr Tien Dao, to Vietnam in February-March 1995 as part of a cooperative venture with the Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University. The benefits of this visit included an accurate on-site survey of information technology resources, the setting up of stand-alone World Wide Web servers and Mosaic clients for training purposes, awareness raising and an assessment of necessary future action.

Under the umbrella of its Regional Cooperation Program, the Library undertook a number of regional library development support activities, including the provision of training attachments for professionals from Thailand, China and Korea, as well as Vietnam. An important initiative was aimed at exploring means of facilitating the return of Burma into the international library community. With a view to drawing up a practical three-year development program, the Library arranged for Ms Liz Curach, Associate Librarian at the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury, to visit Burma to examine the existing library infrastructure and to identify needs. Ms Curach's report indicated that training in both library science and preservation is a high priority, and will provide a basis for future planning.

In May the Library hosted the Sixth Conference of Directors of National Libraries: Asia and Oceania (CDNLAO) in Brisbane. A combination of funding from the Library, AusAID and the State Library of Queensland enabled the participation of chief executive officers from less developed countries at the CDNLAO meeting and at the major Asia-Pacific Library Conference, organised by the State Library of Queensland which followed, both conferences providing an important contribution to the strengthening of ties in the library community of the Asia-Pacific region.

[IMAGE]
Delegates to the Sixth Conference of Directors of National Libraries: Asia and Oceania at the Conference dinner held in the elegant setting of the Queensland Art Gallery, May 1995.

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