March 2011

Inquiry into the role and potential of the National Broadband Network

Introduction

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Inquiry into the role and potential of the National Broadband Network.

ALIA is the peak body representing the Australian library and information services sector and represents 6000 members, and the interests of over 12 million library users. The Australian library and information services sector operates in the local, state, territory and federal government, school, TAFE, tertiary, research, health and business sectors. As a major player in Australia in delivering access to electronic information to the community, the sector is strategically placed to ensure that all Australians have fair and reasonable access to broadband and its benefits, particularly with regards to price and location barriers. Library and information professionals have a great depth of expertise in providing access to electronic resources and services, building electronic resources content, and developing users' skills.

We believe that, with its high usage of electronic information services and public access points, the library and information services sector is a major stakeholder in the national broadband strategy.

Support for other Submissions to the Inquiry

The Submission by the Australian Library and Information Association supports the submissions made by the National and State Libraries Australasia and the National Library of Australia. These two submissions clearly outline the need for digitisation funding and support to ensure access to Australian content.

The role of public libraries in the national broadband strategy

The goal of connecting 90 percent of all Australian homes, schools and workplaces must recognise the role of public libraries in providing vital infrastructure for Australia's digital future.

Australia's public libraries build safer, stronger, sustainable communities; promote social inclusion; support early literacy; make citizens healthier; facilitate lifelong learning; assist people to find jobs; promote innovation; provide facilities and skills to expand the digital economy; and, contribute to prosperity.

Located in every local government area across the nation and at the heart of their local communities, public libraries are perfectly positioned to deliver results in Australia's digital future. Australia's public libraries continue to address the need for equitable community access to a wide range of educational, information, cultural and recreational services which are dependent on online information services.

"With an attendance rate of 34% of the population aged 15 years and over (5.9 million people) in 2009-10, national, state and local libraries were the fourth most attended cultural venue or event in the 12 months prior to interview behind cinemas (67%), zoological parks and aquariums (37%) and botanic gardens (35%). Unlike most other cultural activities included in the survey, people tended to make multiple visits to the library. Whilst 15% of all attendees reported going to the library once or twice in the 12 months prior to interview, the majority (64%) visited more than five times. One in four people (26%) attended a library more than 20 times."
     Australian Bureau of Statistics- 4172.0.55.001 - Perspectives on Culture, March 2011

ALIA notes that not only is high speed broadband required for regional Australia to support improved education, health, social and economic conditions, it is critical that high quality information be made available with local support, particularly through public libraries.

Public libraries have the potential to significantly increase reach and user access.

• There are over 1500 public libraries across Australia with over half the population as registered users
• Public libraries are attended more frequently and by more people than any other cultural and sporting venue [ABS 4172.0 2011]
• The introduction of internet access services in public libraries has seen an increase in attendance and library use; in NSW over the past 5 years, there has been a 60% increase in internet hours accessed through public library computers
• Public libraries have infrastructure and ongoing budget streams through their local councils, unlike many ICT or technology access centres and commercial providers set up under specific government programs
• Public libraries play an important role in ensuring equity of access in the delivery of online resources to all Australians
• Qualified and experienced public library staff deliver training and assistance to users in accessing electronic information. Often this is targeted at the most marginalised groups in the community.

All libraries have been working together to increase access to quality, reliable information resources. In 2009 approximately 7.5 million Australians have access to quality online resources through cooperative purchasing for best price and products (Electronic Resources Australia).

In the world of the NBN, libraries play a significant role in the access and support for learning in our communities. Libraries provide access to technology, to PC's and other equipment that many in our society cannot afford. For those who might 'have it all', libraries often provide a place of convenience and community. You might be a wealthy 60-something Grey Nomad travelling around Australia, living the 'Australian dream'. Grey Nomads are already visiting local libraries for access to PC's or wireless, to print out documents and catch up on emails with friends and family.

For many who work in a capital city in a technological work environment where the tools are provided, it is hard to believe that some people in our Australian community are not connected in some form to an internet based machine or hand held device. It is the unemployed, pensioners, the homeless, single-parents, people with a terminal illness and families already struggling financially who use public libraries. These are the people that should and could benefit from access to the Internet but more importantly they need ongoing training and skills development to ensure that they are not left behind as a digital citizen.

Recommendations

ALIA recommends:

1. That the Australian Government release the draft Australian Digital Strategy for consultation and comment as soon as possible.
2. That the Australian library and information services sector, and in particular public libraries, is recognised as a major stakeholder in the national broadband strategy in providing vital infrastructure for Australia"s digital future for the following reasons:

• recognised as trusted, friendly, neutral and non-threatening spaces for individual or group social inclusion
• huge increase in usage of electronic information services and public access points
• exponential increase in community expectations of internet assistance
• existing network of over 1500 public libraries across the country
• ongoing budget streams and infrastructure
• qualified and experienced staff
• delivery of skills training and assistance to users
• libraries are attended more frequently and by more people than any other cultural and sporting venue [ABS 4172.0 2011]
• provision of access to e-government services and publications.

3. That public library internet costs are funded through a national subsidy therefore minimising costs for public information accessed through public institutions such as libraries and for non-commercial purposes on an ongoing basis. (This model has been successfully implemented in the United States.) ALIA will continue to work with the Department of Premier and Cabinet on proposals for suitable funding arrangements. (2011 estimated funding of $8Million per annum)
4. The development of programs by government agencies to ensure that the Australian public has enduring access to electronic government publications. This includes sufficient funding for the National Library of Australia's Pandora and Trove services.
5. That databases and e-book packages are funded through the National Library of Australia's Electronic Resources Australia initiative to ensure all Australians are provided with equitable access to quality online resources in health, news and current affairs and encyclopaedias at a competitive price.
6. That ALIA work with the Australian Government to develop a range of programs through Australian libraries to support internet education and skills training - digital literacy skills for all Australians - to ensure greater use of the National Broadband Network.
7. That the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations note recommendations in many of the submissions to the Inquiry into School Libraries and Teacher Librarians relating to digital literacy and digital citizenship skills to be embedded into the Australian curriculum and notes the import role of teacher librarians in enabling these skills with teachers and students.
8. That all Australian public libraries, irrespective of the 1000 population limit be provided with a dedicated NBN link of a minimum of 100megabits per second (expandable).
9. That the federal government work with local government to ensure that all public libraries are funded to provide wireless facilities to the community in addition to direct broadband connections from council facilities.
10. That with government assistance, public libraries be provided with special low cost broadband packages that ensure all libraries can afford the ever growing demand for broadband in a public setting, on an ongoing basis.
11. That the Australian Government develop national programs like the UK Race Online 2012 where libraries are utilised to encourage greater uptake of the National Broadband Network and that programs for digital skills development are delivered through public libraries.
12. That the Australian Government support the National Year of Reading 2012 and fund activities with key NBN Stakeholders to showcase online and internet-based reading and literacy activities during the year.
13. ALIA's Beyond a Quality service Strengthening the Social Fabric - Standards and Guidelines for Australian Public Libraries 2011 contain guidelines for systems infrastructure for public libraries. Delivery is reliant on a well maintained and fast broadband service. We recommend that federal, state and local governments acknowledge and support the infrastructure required for national standards of service delivery for Australian public libraries.
14. That ALIA work with relevant Government Departments to seek specific options to be developed for public libraries as the one source of free broadband access to regional communities.
15. That the Australian Government provide funding to all Australian public libraries for basic internet access costs.
16. That the Australian Government through DBCDE forms a Digital Inclusion Group (similar to the US) to ensure an Australian Digital Inclusion Framework is developed by 2014.
17. That the Australian Government provides funding to the National Library of Australia for digitisation projects to facilitate access to a greater range of Australian content.
18. ALIA recommends that all Australian Governments, as part of the rollout of the NBN, recognise the role that public libraries play in providing access to e-government services and public sector information and provide appropriate support for IT infrastructure and staffing costs for libraries.

Sue Hutley
Executive Director
sue.hutley@alia.org.au

March 2011

Click here to view the ALIA submission [ pdf 441 KB ]