APSIG newsletter no. 60: March 2006

Libraries Australia: new service open to all

Libraries Australia, a service that enables anyone with an Internet connection to select from more than 40 million items held in over 800 libraries across Australia, was launched in late February. This innovative service is an Australian first, opening up the collections of Australia's libraries. Developed by the National Library of Australia, it is an e-ticket to a world of information consisting of books, journals, newspapers, theses, pictures, music, manuscripts, maps and much more. Many online resources such as digitised images and full text government publications can also be accessed immediately online.

Underpinned by cutting edge technology and data contributed by the nation's libraries, Libraries Australia makes it easy to search for information across the collections of the national, state and university libraries and most public, research, government, health and other special libraries in Australia.

Some of the features of Libraries Australia are the ability to instantly access many digitised items; borrow from a local library or order from another library; copy selections of items at a small price; buy from online bookshops; and find library locations nationwide.

Libraries Australia can be used to further education or personal interests, advance research, obtain information to develop business opportunities or to facilitate lifelong learning. It is available here.