18 May 2007

Gary Nairn welcomes strengthening of partnership between Government and libraries

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With Library and Information Week 2007 upon us from May 21st, Special Minister of State, Gary Nairn, has praised the efforts of Australia's library and information workers in assisting the community to locate important government information.

"Government resources have been supplied regularly to Australia's 1700 public libraries for many years and now we also rely on them to provide access to our electronic services, particularly for people who don't have access to the internet at home," Mr Nairn said.

"There are around 5,000 internet-dedicated computers in public libraries around Australia and over 77,000 people access the internet via these computers every week," Mr Nairn said.

"Library-based internet access and the expertise of our librarians in searching printed and electronic information are significant contributors to improving information skills in the community.

"We are particularly pleased to be partnering the Australian Library and Information Association as a sponsor of Library and Information Week this year," Mr Nairn said.

Australian Library and Information Association Executive Director, Sue Hutley, said Australian Library and Information Week is held each year to celebrate and showcase the resources of libraries across Australia.

"Information professionals are trained specifically to locate information and to teach others how to find the best and most appropriate resources to answer their information needs. Government-produced resources such as australia.gov.au are now enormously popular, and our staff can get your search started with these and other resources," Ms Hutley said.

Library and Information Week will be celebrated with special programs in libraries across the country.

"It's a special year for us," Ms Hutley said. "2007 marks the 70th anniversary of the Australian Library and Information Association, which was established specifically to establish and maintain professional standards for the library and information sector in Australia. Library and Information Week is a time for us to celebrate the amazing services libraries provide, and recognise the outstanding expertise these professionals provide to all Australians."

For more information on the Library and Information Week program, visit the website at http://www.alia.org.au/liw.

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