The Australian Library Journal
volume 49 issue 2
John Levett
Cultural in-sites: A history of the National Library of Australia
Anne Galligan
The National Library of Australia (NLA) is a premier cultural institution established to be 'the world's leading documentary resource for learning about and understanding Australia and Australians', and to provide a 'crucial resource in the formation of our culture and national identity' (NLA Service to the nation, access to the globe: Strategic plan 1993-1998 1994 pp1,5). As a storehouse of the nation's public memory it fulfils a critical function in the collection, organisation, preservation and circulation of the national textual estate. Although it may be situated within the broader disciplinary context of library history, the NLA has developed within the confines of the uniquely Australian political and cultural heritage.
The digital copyright deadlock
Fiona Macmillan
Australia, in common with many other jurisdictions, is currently attempting to revise its copyright law in order to respond to challenges said to be posed for copyright law in the digital environment. The first step in this revision was the publication in 1997 of the Government's Discussion Paper, Copyright Reform and the Digital Agenda. The consultative process initiated by this Discussion Paper has now spawned two drafts of the Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Bill.
This paper considers the approaches taken by the Digital Agenda Bill to the issue of royalty-free copying of digital material. The paper focuses upon the related areas of copying by individuals under the fair dealing regime and copying by libraries and archives.
The preservation of printed music collections in libraries: a review of the literature
Catherine Smith
A survey of the literature identifies unique challenges relating to preservation of music collections. Historically, preservation of printed music was largely neglected until the mid-19th century. There is evidence that Australian librarians still do not regard preservation of music collections as worthy of high priority. Music librarians encounter preservation problems identical with those of other collections: acidic paper, brittle books, adverse environmental conditions and problematic bindings. To these are added important differences, including international sources of paper, storage and handling, varied formats and sizes, music notation, reformatting methods and performance acceptability. Much of the more recent literature describes successful solutions to some of these problems, and Australian music librarians are urged to work together to raise consciousness of preservation issues.
Information professionals and the knowledge-aware, intelligent organisation: skills for the future
Patricia Milne
'Knowledge managers, information specialists, chief answerists, knowledge navigators - they're more commonly known as librarians. As corporations rely on information to keep ahead of the competition, demand for these professionals is escalating' (Francois, 1999).
It is evident is that career paths for librarians are changing and opening new and different opportunities. A report in the United States noted that, currently, thirteen per cent of librarians do not work in a traditional library setting. Instead they are functioning throughout business in roles that command salaries much higher than the profession has traditionally seen (Francois, 1999). Abell went further when she stated that, whichever part of society is the focus, the information profession has unprecedented opportunities - because it is information which is underpinning current organisational success (1998 p211).
Meals in minutes: food in contemporary Australian adolescent fiction
Anne Hazell
This paper is based on a presentation at the XI Symposium of Australian Gastronomy Hobart September 1999. The Symposium is held biennially and is attended by assorted foodies, chefs, winemakers, and even, occasionally, librarians.
The author's hypothesis is that food is of little importance in the books written for (and usually about) Australian teenagers in the late 1990s. Hence the title of the paper: Meals in minutes. This hypothesis was based on recollections of the plots, style and characterisation, that is the literary criteria against which books are assessed, in the books she read from 1990 to 1998.
Edward Abbott and aristology
Tony Marshall
The opening address to the 11th Symposium of Australian Gastronomy, Hobart, 6 September 1999. The Symposium is held biennially and is attended by assorted foodies, chefs, winemakers, and even, occasionally, librarians.
Reflective practice: revisiting pedagogy and reaffirming core value
Jan Gaebler
A rare opportunity for Australian and North American Library and Information Science (LIS) educators to candidly explore professional education practice similarities and differences, came with a seminar staged in Adelaide in December 1999. Sponsored by the University of South Australia Library and LIS Team, the seminar featured keynote addresses from Professor Ken Haycock and Dr Ann Curry, both from the University of British Columbia, Canada, and Dr Ross Todd from the University of Technology, Sydney. Organised by Professor Larry Amey at the University of South Australia Magill Campus, the seminar attracted about thirty high-profile educators and practitioners representing the major Australian schools. The following report documents the major issues discussed at the two-day seminar.
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