Get ready to travel – your library is your passport to discovery!

Library and Information Week 2009 gets underway next week around the nation with the theme Libraries: your passport to discovery!

Sue Hutley, Executive Director of the Australian Library and Information Association, says libraries offer every Australian a chance to discover, access and connect to a much wider world - and in these tough economic times, it's a lot cheaper too!

Launching the week's festivities which will run from 25-31 May, Ms Hutley said that libraries are a critical element in today's communities.

"Libraries are a valuable cultural resource. They perform a critical role in providing information for education and training, government and business decision-making, and business development," Ms Hutley said.

"Libraries connect people to ideas. Whether it's to a new career, to realise a new business venture, or changing your whole way of life, libraries are the place to communicate, educate, entertain and inform. This year's Library and Information Week theme celebrates the discovery element to libraries - so get into a library and share in the celebrations - you never know what you might find out!"

"Australians benefit from services provided by approximately 9,000 school libraries, 42 university libraries, 387 TAFE campus libraries, and thousands of health libraries, law libraries and other special libraries."

Each year Australia's 1,500 public libraries lend over 178 million items to 12 million registered borrowers - over half of Australia's population. Jan Richards, President of the Australian Library and Information Association says that "Public libraries are at the heart of their communities and are often described as the new village green. They are public spaces, where everyone is welcome. Expert help is always on hand if you need it and the services are free."

Library and Information Week 2009 is proudly sponsored by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). ACMA's national cybersafety program includes training materials and resources for librarians, available at http://www.acma.gov.au/libraries

ENDS

INFORMATION FOR EDITORS:

Sue Hutley, Executive Director, Australian Library and Information Association, 0412 764 922
Jan Richards, President, Australian Library and Information Association, 02 6393 8126
Donald Robertson, Media Manager, Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA), 02 9334 7980
Library and Information Week website: http://www.alia.org.au/advocacy/liw/

Issued on behalf of
Australian Library and Information Association
ALIA House, 9-11 Napier Close, Deakin ACT 2604
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is the professional association for the Australian library and information services sector. It seeks to empower the profession in the development, promotion and delivery of quality library and information services to the nation, through leadership, advocacy and mutual support. ALIA represents the interest of 6,000 members, the profession and Australia's 12 million library users. http://www.alia.org.au

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