Australian national licence for key online information resources
A major library document was released on 3 August 2005 —a discussion paper on an Australian national licence for key online information resources for all Australians. The proposal is in accord with the recommendations of the June 2002 report of the Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Committee on the role of libraries in the online environment. The National Site Licensing Working Group has prepared the paper after consultation with representatives of library sectors.
The working group was established by the national site licence meeting convened by the National Library in December 2004. This group was asked to assess the level of interest of Australian libraries in a national approach to acquiring electronic resources.
The paper, now available at http://www.nla.gov.au/initiatives/meetings/sitelicense/nlproposal.html, was prepared to enable libraries to consider the nature and benefits of a national approach. It covers the concept, benefits and scope of such an approach and also proposes a governance and financial model. Feedback and opinions from Australian libraries are vital to enable any progress to be made on this issue.
The paper argues that the creation of a cross-sectoral libraries consortium to negotiate and purchase national level licences is not only achievable but essential in delivering vital online information to all Australians, irrespective of their geographic location, social status, occupation or age.
The social and economic benefits to the Australian Commonwealth and the community would be significant, visible, immediately realisable and would enhance the professional and political status of libraries.
In turn, this can only strengthen the social and financial standing of libraries as integral to Australia 's information economy and its social infrastructure.
The paper explores ways and means by which to reach these outcomes. It encourages all libraries to respond and participate, through their representative bodies, in a forthcoming National Library forum on the national licensing initiative in October 2005.
Australian libraries are encouraged to provide comments through a web form at http://www.nla.gov.au/initiatives/meetings/sitelicense/comments.html or by email to caslconsortium@nla.gov.au.
Roxanne Missingham
Assistant Director-General,
Resource Sharing Division