15 May 2001

A good start, but more funding required...

The Australian Library and Information Association would like to congratulate the Federal Government on the regional telecommunications funding announced by Senator Richard Alston today.

The Association applauds the sentiments expressed by Senator Alston 'All Australians have a right to a decent, affordable and reliable phone service irrespective of where they live' he said.

While the $163.1 million dollar funding package goes some way towards improving telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia it was disappointing that no assistance was specifically targeted at the approximately 250 public libraries in rural and remote regions of the country.

Libraries provide a vital access point to electronic information and services to the majority of Australians who do not have internet access from their homes.

If the federal government is serious about providing equitable access to electronic information, then it cannot ignore a sector which provides public access to these services. Libraries need additional funds to increase the number and scope of their electronic services.

Government support now also needs to go beyond connectivity, to the funding of skills training in electronic access, e-commerce and information literacy.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is the professional association for the library and information sector. ALIA represents 6500 personal members, 800 institutional members and 10 million library users.

Information about Library and Information Week and associated activities can be found on the ALIA website: http://alia.org.au/advocacy/alw/2001/.