21 May 1996

Review of the ACT public library service

A good beginning with more work to be done

ALIA ACT to sponsor forum on public library services report recommendations

The ACT Branch of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) supports the proposals in the Haratsis review of the ACT public library service and will sponsor a public forum in June to facilitate debate on the issues raised in the report, and the wider issue of ACT library services. Speakers will represent a range of perspectives on the future library service needs of our community.

Cliff Law, president of the ALIA ACT branch said 'changes recommended in the report to make the ACT public library service more accessible through revised opening hours would be welcomed, particularly when combined with a redirection of funding into more library materials and the introduction of new technology for access to the Internet'.

While the recommendations lead towards developing a public library service that better meets the needs of the ACT community, ALIA believes there are a range of issues still needing to be addressed outside of this review.

The recommendation in the report calling for a change management plan addresses the role and function of the public library service in relation to other libraries in the ACT, and in particular the ACT heritage collection.

'Any moves to improve our public libraries must be part of a wider whole-of-government approach to library and information provision and this should include how our school, TAFE, public, Assembly and heritage libraries are developed together.' said Mr Law.