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2004 Library and Information Week Forum'Down and loaded: the right information at the right time' Australian Library and Information Association
ALIA House Conference Room, 9-11 Napier Close, Deakin. ACT Contents
IntroductionThe Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) hosted 2004 Library and Information Week Forum to develop a collaborative framework to advance electronic networking initiatives and ideas for sharing resources, improving efficiencies, increasing access to public information and enhancing services provided by the library and information sector. In planning the Forum the Association's Board of Directors considered that the Senate Inquiry into Libraries in the Online Environment report, submissions and evidence provided a valuable resource of data on the composition, achievements, activities and challenges for the library and information sector. In particular Recommendation 7 of the Report recommends that:
This and related recommendations on digitisation, community networks and access to electronic information were the focus of the Forum. The Forum brought together representatives from the library and information services sector, Australian government, Telstra, local government, and community networking research to discuss these recommendations in the context of current models, government programs, initiatives, and priorities within the sector, and to agree on actions to progress shared priorities and goals for the sector. The Association proposed that the Forum be the precursor of a national symposium in 2005 to further advance collaboration in e-community linked networking, broadband access and public access to electronic resources and services through libraries. The Federal Minister for the Arts Senator the Hon Rod Kemp provided a Welcome and Library and Information Week message to open the Forum. The program included presentations on models, programs and initiatives by VICNET, Telstra, Monash University Centre for Community Networking Research (CCNR), the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) National Broadband Strategy, and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). Forum participants discussed and agreed on proposed strategies to make more information available easily and efficiently to more Australians.
Agreed InitiativesNational Broadband Strategy Implementation GroupHelen McLaren, Manager, Connectivity Strategy and Policy section, Department of Communications, IT and the Arts offered the opportunity for the sector to make a presentation to the National Broadband Strategy Implementation Group later in 2004. Currently there is an emphasis in the Broadband Strategy on the education and health sectors. The Forum agreed to take up this opportunity and to prepare a presentation that would recommend that the Strategy be pushed out beyond the initial focus on the education and health sectors to sectors such as the library and information services (LIS) sector which have infrastructures in place and an equally valid role in services delivery. The Presentation (or Framework) is to be developed by ALIA, VICNET and CCNR, framing the concepts encapsulated in the issues outlined below; illustrating them with examples of models and initiatives that the sector is currently employing; outlining potential initiatives for the sector and proposing how and when these could be achieved working with broadband strategies. The Forum participants will sign off the draft presentation. It is proposed that it be presented for discussion at a session/workshop at ALIA 2004 Biennial Conference, 22-24 September 2004. The presentation could also form the basis for a response from the sector to the Government's new Strategic Framework for the Information Economy which will identify key national priorities and strategies for the information economy over the next three years. A further opportunity for the presentation is to submit the document to the Online Ministers Council, and in particular the Online Council Officials Group and its Integrated Transaction Reference Group (to be renamed National Services Framework Group). Following the meeting Helen McLaren (DCITA) advised that dates have not been set beyond the next meeting of the NBSIG which is on 22-23 July in Canberra. Helen will advise of future dates after that. To be formally included on the agenda the Forum should provide DCITA with some information about the presentation and a paper (or power point slides) ahead of time. Peter Huta, DCITA, will send through further information on NBSIG meetings and other matters (eg announcements of community demand aggregation broker and of second round of CCIF and DABP) as it becomes available. Action: ALIA will develop the project plan for the presentation to the National Broadband Strategy Implementation Group. The presentation will be prepared by ALIA, VICNET (David Feighan), CCRN (Don Schauder), with assistance from CASL Digital Issues Working Group, PLA (Lynne Makin), ALIA Public Libraries Reference Group, NLA (Warwick Cathro), ALGA (Rick Molony). Charu Sood and CAUL (Diane Costello) will provide comment on the draft. The Framework to be developed is linked to the following initiatives identified and to be included in the project plan: Peering arrangementsWork with the National broadband adviser (education) Peter Nissen to investigate opportunities for using peering arrangements to benefit access to information and infrastructure. Broadband demand register and librariesInvestigate the feasibility of libraries being a focus point for establishing a demand register - especially in the urban fringe and rural and regional areas. Mapping broadband availabilityInvestigate resources available to map library locations to broadband availability in building a services framework. Resources could include Telstra's facility, VICNET and other state library network providers, and Australian Libraries Gateway. State government programsIdentify state based programs, document library and information services sector experiences and outcomes, and map these to enhance co-ordination of efforts and linkages with federal programs.
Issues to be developed
What e-rate model? Is there demand/aggregation. Develop a business case, utilise current models - eg VICNET and consortia participants. This may involve a tiered approach to ensure small, medium and large library data users get an equitable slice of the subsidy.
Through contacts for Australian Museums Online (AMOL) provided by Peter Huta (DCITA) ALIA will ascertain the current status of AMOL and its expansion to libraries and archives.
Summary of presentationsVICNET (David Feighan)VICNET has conducted a project to map public libraries' online data usage, using data from metropolitan and rural library services that form part of VICNETS eCommunity network. Outcomes of the project included:
Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts - National Broadband Strategy (Helen McLaren and Peter Huta)Under the National Broadband Strategy, $142.8million has been allocated over four years from 2003-04 to a number of programs, based in the principle of government intervention where the market is not delivering developments in infrastructure and services:
Peter Huta mentioned work underway in DCITA on developing strategies for improving the sustainability/viability of online access centres (OACs). This is a Government initiative in response to a recommendation of the Regional Telecommunications Inquiry. This work highlights that many OACs are likely to be encountering similar challenges to many public libraries in terms of community demand for and use of public internet facilities (eg usage costs). Peter noted that public libraries and OACs might wish to consider their aggregated connectivity needs and possible alliances. Telstra (Carolyn Hough and Paul Smith)Telstra is trying to be proactive in following the recommendations of the Senate Libraries in the online environment review. Telstra does not believe that the Universal Service Obligation approach is the most useful for considering universal access because of differing service needs. Telstra's entry point level for broadband is 256/64K, but bandwidth requirements are dependent on the applications used. The broadband demand register allows communities to register their interest in having access to broadband. Once a certain level of interest is registered, Telstra will install ADSL at the exchange. As HiBIS develops, the number of expression of interest needed for ASDL installation will drop. It was suggested that libraries could have a role as community champions of the broadband demand register. Centre for Community Networking Research (Don Schauder)CCNR's focus is on community informatics and community building. It has a program of action research on community information initiatives. CCNR co-ordinated the development of the Australian civil society statement for the World Summit on the Information Society. The notion of civil society is intense civic engagement with issues such as democratic pluralities, spatial isolation, inclusion, content and technology and effective use. The more this engagement is developed, the more it takes pressure off government service delivery. We are now seeing the second generation of community information initiatives. New forms of community knowledge generation and sharing need better integration into the more formal structures such as libraries and other cultural organisations. Until now, libraries have been at the margins of community knowledge sharing. A key role for libraries and library networks could be in ensuring the quality and ongoing accessibility of community generated online content. Australian Local Government Association (Rick Molony)Through NTN local government funding, ALGA and the state/territory local government associations have been working to improve interoperability across jurisdictions. A framework for heads of agreement for joined-up government projects has been developed and a toolkit identifies best practice examples of collaborative projects. A local government services thesaurus has been developed and an information architecture for local government is being developed. These projects are improving the capacity of local government to participate in cross-jurisdictional projects and processes. ALGA is looking to develop a national approach to local government news and a calendar of events using RSS and a services portal for local government that will aggregate data from federal, state and local government authorities relevant to local government. National Library of Australia (Warwick Cathro)The National Library's interest is in discovery and delivery of information resources, both in the content and the infrastructure to provide access to resources. The Library has a role in digital content collection building and in facilitating access through collaboration. The Community Heritage Grants program supports local and community collections. The AskNow collaborative reference service has a high level of demand from rural and regional areas. Australian Museums Online (AMOL) is now administered by the Powerhouse Museum. It's possible expansion to cover libraries and archives needs to be considered. Australian Taxation Office (Charu Sood)As more government information and transactions are available online, there are opportunities for partnerships with public libraries in delivering services and in providing community education and support. Council of Australian State Libraries (Margaret Hyland and Lucy Arundell)After a period when funding has been concentrated on developing infrastructure, CASL's focus is moving to development of and access to content. However, CASL has continued to work for the extension of online infrastructure for public libraries in rural, regional and remote communities through the CASL submission to the Senate enquiry and the establishment of Public Libraries Australia Ltd. In 2003, CASL's key priorities included:
Through the 'Australian Library Treasures' exhibition approved for 2005-2007, CASL is implementing a plan to make accessible the nation's treasures. CASL is also implementing a new national plan to ensure that there is ongoing access to Australian newspapers and a National Newspaper Digitisation Project has been proposed. CASL has participated in the National Resource Sharing Working Group to support the development of shared policies for more effective use of library collections. The @ your library campaign has been used to promote the role of libraries in lifelong learning and CASL has worked to enhance partnerships between the library, education and cultural sectors. Council of Australian University Librarians (Diane Costello)Links between university networks and the community are increasing. While much information is licensed and available to the university community only, universities are considering how to make the output of universities more accessible to the community and how best to deliver services to the community and to remote and distance students. Australian Library and Information Association - Public Libraries Reference Group (Christine Mackenzie and Jennefer Nicholson)In general, public libraries are reacting to community demand, rather than proactively managing online services. Many libraries do not have enough PCs. There are considerable challenges in making resources accessible, for example many public libraries do not have systems that allow single searches across multiple databases or linked searches from their online catalogues. The Senate inquiry gives an opportunity for the sector to pursue the challenges thrown up by the recommendations and to find ways to use government strategies and initiatives for the benefit of the sector.
ProgramConvenor: Christine Mackenzie
DelegatesChristine Mackenzie - Convener
ALIA Past President Professor Don Schauder
Chair, Centre for Community Networking Research and Associate Dean (Research) Paul Smith
General Manager of Business Development Carolyn Hough
Public Policy Manager, Regulatory Strategy, Dr Warwick Cathro
Assistant Director-General, Innovation Michael Bertie
Director, Information Management David Feighan
ISP Trading Charu Sood
Executive Director for Information Services Rick Molony
Director, Online Services Helen McLaren
Manager Peter Huta
Manager, Community Connectivity Lucy Arundell
Assistant State Librarian, Electronic Library Services Margaret Hyland
Manager, Public Library Services Diane Costello
Executive Officer Jennefer Nicholson
Executive Director Susan Magnay
Manager, planning policy Apologies
Lynne Makin
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