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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 44 | April 2000


The National Library and ALIA vouchers

ALIA vouchers The National Library of Australia’s Document Supply Service will cease accepting ALIA vouchers as payment for interlibrary loans and document supply from 1 June 2000. This decision was announced on 14 February at the ‘Day with the National Library of Australia’ held in Melbourne, and simultaneously on a number of electronic discussion lists. Australian libraries were also informed in a letter from the Director-General during February.

From 1 June 2000, libraries using the National Library of Australia’s Document Supply Service can choose from the following methods of payment

Kinetica Document Delivery (KDD) Payments Service
Information about KDD and the KDD Payments Service is on the National Library’s web site (http://www.nla.gov.au/kinetica/docdel.html).

Monthly account (payable by cheque or credit card)
Monthly invoices will be issued for any requests supplied after 1 June 2000 that do not include credit card details or that are not received through the KDD Service. Requests supplied after 1 July 2000, even if requested before 1 July 2000, will attract GST, and will be included in the monthly invoices. Invoices will be issued regardless of the level of activity. Vouchers will not be accepted as payment for monthly invoices.

Credit card
Libraries not wishing to receive monthly invoices may prefer to pay by credit card. This method of payment is recommended for libraries that do not request regularly from Document Supply Service. Credit card details should be supplied with the request.

Several factors have influenced this decision, including Commonwealth financial management requirements taking effect with the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax, and the increasing use of electronic commerce. The National Library will no longer be able to accept vouchers following the GST introduction, because all financial transactions must be processed through the Library’s financial management system. Vouchers cannot be used in this system. The final date for acceptance of vouchers will be 31 May 2000. This will give the Library sufficient time to prepare for the implementation of the GST on 1 July 2000.

A key issue is the introduction of the GST. The GST will be payable on all loans and documents supplied by the National Library, and we will issue GST-compliant tax invoices for interlibrary lending and document supply transactions. The KDD Payments Service will also comply with GST requirements. Many libraries will be able to reclaim the GST for interlibrary lending and document supply, but will need to seek financial advice within their own organisations on this matter.

ALIA has issued a statement that vouchers will be available after 1 July 2000. This statement is available on their web site (http://www.alia.org.au). If you have any queries regarding the use of vouchers please contact ALIA, P.O. Box E441, Kingston ACT 2604, phone (02) 6285 1877, fax (02) 6282 2249.

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Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: tford@nla.gov.au

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