AARL

News from CAUL

Helen Hayes. president, CAUL

Abstract: The Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) recently announced two major new resource-sharing programs aimed at improving access to scholarly information for members of Australian universities. Building on a long history of co-operation CAUL has taken an important decision to introduce a national borrowing scheme for Australian university students and staff. Also under the auspices of the Australian Vice-Chancellors Committee, CAUL is planning for the introduction of a National Site License following examples already set by the UK and Canada.

These initiatives occur at a time when the need for collaboration is particularly great within the university sector. The effects of reduced funding combined with a low Australian dollar, continuing increases in cost of scholarly communication above the CPI, rising publishers margins and new requirements for greater access to digital information are creating unprecedented demand on library budgets.

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