17 May 2006

ABS and libraries join forces to promote Census 2006

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It’s a Census year and Australia’s libraries are working with long-time colleagues at the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to get the message out.

Debrah Lewis, director of Library and Extension Services at the Bureau, said the partnership between libraries and the ABS is mutually supportive and beneficial in getting statistical data more widely known and available in the community.

“The ABS has worked closely with Australia’s libraries to provide wide community access to the Census and other statistical products for almost 15 years,” Ms Lewis said.

The Bureau first began a partnership with libraries across the nation to provide better access to nationally significant data in the early 1990s and has had the support of libraries in promoting the Census since that time. Ms Lewis said the Australian Bureau of Statistics Library Extension Program (LEP) was amongst the first of its kind in the world and represented an investment of millions of dollars over that period.

ABS products are available free of charge in over 500 libraries around Australia, including public and university libraries, through the LEP. Every year these libraries receive around 12 flagship titles in hardcopy, including the Australian Yearbook. Since December 2005, all ABS publications have been freely available via the ABS website. The ABS also provides training in the use of its products, including web awareness sessions to participating LEP libraries.

Ms Lewis said there are benefits to the libraries, to the Bureau and to the community.

“The Library Extension Program is a mutually rewarding relationship,” Ms Lewis said. “The ABS has offices in every state but we can’t be everywhere. Libraries are very prevalent in the community and library staff are very professional and expert in assisting their clients.”

The Australian Library and Information Association, which represents 6000 plus librarians and library technicians, also sees this partnership as a natural fit.

Executive director of the Australian Library and Information Association, Sue Hutley, said a core role of the profession is supporting equitable access to information.

“The co-operative network of libraries as old as the first libraries themselves. Libraries of all types have always cooperated to support the community.”

“Co-operation and networking between libraries has been a quiet success story for decades. Anyone can go into their local library and get help to find a resource that may be located on the other side of the country, in a government office or in a different type of library.”

Australia’s libraries are celebrating their successes this month during Library and Information Week 2006, which runs from 22–28 May. A national program of events is planned, including tours, talks, and special activities. The national program can be found at http://alia.org.au/advocacy/liw/ , while regional programs will be advertised locally.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is sponsoring Library and Information Week 2006 as part of their ongoing commitment to the role of libraries in disseminating national data.