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ISSN 1039-3498 | no. 53| October 2001
Australian Public Library Network Project
The Australian Public Libraries Network (APLN) is a Council of Australian State Libraries (CASL) sponsored project investigating models for national representation of public libraries for the purposes of advocating on their behalf. A one voice representation for public libraries is not facilitated by the diversity of the organisational models functioning in each of the States and Territories. A number of significant global and national issues impact heavily on public libraries and their role in local communities. There is a clear need for the Australian public library sector to work cooperatively to ensure that governments and others are aware of their potential role in improving the social and economic welfare of Australians.
The forum organised by CASL in May 2000 in Adelaide gathered over 30 representatives from a number of Australian public libraries. As a result a consultancy was commissioned to investigate the business case for a body to represent and promote the interests of all public libraries in Australia. Libraries Alive! Pty Ltd won the project in a competitive tendering process.
Libraries Alive! started the project on 21 May 2001. In the first phase they focused on a review of literature pertaining to the national agenda for Australian public libraries. Research into the key issues relevant to APLN involved examining relevant Australian and overseas models for public library representation. In the second phase of the project a wide range of consultations with key stakeholders is taking place. Libraries Alive! have already met with a number of representatives from the library and government sectors, including public libraries associations, ALIA, State libraries, local government associations, federal government departments and opposition. A series of further meetings with public library representatives is being planned to cover all States and Territories.
The final report, to be presented to the November 2001 CASL meeting, will include consideration of a number of options for possible organisational models together with an assessment of sustainability for each of them. A draft of this report was workshopped with a second national forum of public library representatives held in Sydney in September 2001.
The Consultancy Steering Committee (chaired by Chris Williams, SLNSW) consisting of representatives of State/ Territory/National Libraries, major metropolitan public libraries, rural/regional public libraries, and local government oversees the consultancy.
To enable all interested parties to have input into the project an APLN
web site has been set up (hosted by the National Library of Australia) at
www.nla.gov.au/apln/.
It provides extensive information about the project, together with contact
details of the Libraries Alive! consultants and the Consultancy
Steering Committee.
Barbara Rozmus
Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: dthomas@nla.gov.au