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A joint meeting of the Executive Committees of the Australian Council of Libraries and Information Services (ACLIS) and the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) held in February 1996 agreed to conduct a strategic review of the future coordination and representation needs of the library and information services industry. This decision was subsequently ratified by the respective councils of ACLIS and ALIA, and the Council of the National Library of Australia (NLA) agreed at its 8 March 1996 meeting to participate in the strategic review. As stated in the National Library Act 1960, the NLA has a broad statutory function of cooperating in library matters with authorities or persons in relation to library matters.

The bodies sponsoring the review appointed a Steering Committee comprising Helen Hayes, President of ACLIS; Helen Tait; immediate past-President of ALIA, and Warren Horton, Director-General of the NLA. Mr Horton participated on the Steering Committee in a personal capacity. The membership of the Steering Committee was endorsed by the respective Councils of ACLIS and ALIA. The Steering Committee was greatly assisted by Gordon Bower, Executive Officer of ACLIS and Virginia Walsh, Executive Director of ALIA.

The September 1996 edition of ACLIS News stated:

"ACLIS' view of the strategic review process is that this is an excellent opportunity to assess the needs of the Australian library industry coordination and representation as we move towards the 21st century. To succeed, such a review will need to focus not on existing structures but on the needs as expressed by the Australian library community. It is important to realise that there are no preconceived outcomes for the review. Decisions on the structures, the number and type of organisations needed to carry the profession and the industry forward should follow the assessment of the needs."

In the December 1996 edition of ACLIS News, Helen Hayes stated:

"It is because the environment is changing so rapidly that we believe it is a critical time for the library and information industry to review future representation and coordination. The outcome of such a review should provide the opportunity to develop a forward plan no matter what the final relationship or structure. We do not want to limit the outcome to the status quo. The industry itself needs to have the major say in the outcomes of the review, based on a broad independent consultation process."

In January 1997 we were appointed consultants to conduct the strategic review over the three-month period between February and April 1997. During the period of the review, the Steering Committee met on three occasions and offered advice for the consultants to consider in relation to the conduct of the review including:

  • the general approach to be taken during the review;
  • issues to be considered;
  • progress of the review, including the outcome of meetings in capital cities and the Sydney workshop; and
  • the contents of this report.

It should be noted that while the Steering Committee provided advice and guidance during the review, this report represents the findings and recommendation of the consultants. Following this review it will be a matter for the Steering Committee to consider how the issues discussed in this report are addressed.

In the November 1996 issue of the Australian Library Journal, published by ALIA, Mr Warren Horton stated:

"Like many others in the profession I applaud the decision of ALIA and ACLIS to mount a strategic review of library and information industry co-ordination and representation options in the 21st century. The intent of this proposal is to undertake a simply-structured but very broad ranging strategic review of the needs of the industry for representation and coordination in the future. This review, if done effectively, could be a once-in-a-generation opportunity for major change if that is what we decide we want."

1.1 Terms of Reference

Against the background to the review discussed above, the bodies sponsoring the review agreed to the following terms of reference which required the consultants to:

  1. Assess the need for leadership, representation and coordination in the library and information services sector in Australia.

  2. Review the structures of ALIA and ACLIS and consider the roles of other representative bodies in the library and information sector. Such a review would provide an opportunity for written submissions from interested individuals and organisations and take into consideration the views of library personnel.

  3. Present options for the most effective representative organisational structure for he sector and outline initiatives which might be implemented to provide leadership for the industry in the 21st century.

The sponsoring bodies to the review promoted the terms of reference widely throughout the information and library industry to encourage wide participation in all aspects of the review process.

It should be noted that the terms of reference require a review of the structures of ALIA and ACLIS only for the purpose of assessing the need for leadership, representation and coordination in the library and information services sector.

1.2 Approach to the Review

The consultants adopted in consultation with the Steering Committee an approach of close consultation with stakeholders so that the needs and aspirations of professionals and institutions could be addressed. The review involved the following key processes:

  • attendance by the consultants at meetings in all Australian capital cities with representatives of the library sector to obtain their views on the terms of reference;

  • consideration and analysis of more than 50 written submissions to the review;

  • the holding of a one-day workshop in Sydney on 18 March where a cross-section of the library sector was invited to discuss with the assistance of a facilitator the needs of the industry and profession into the 21st century;

  • discussions with representatives of the bodies sponsoring the review and with other peak sectoral organisations;

  • interviews with senior government officials to obtain their perspective on library representation and coordination.


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