The Australian Library Journal
volume 50 issue 2
John Levett
Libraries and literary outcomes: a crucial intersection in the cultural field
Anne Galligan
The author examines the critical nexus between libraries and 'literary outcomes' and reviews the concept of a national library network as an 'elaborate national public memory system', a 'knowledge commons', a 'public domain of information'. This commons is
the location for a fluid and almost hourly reinterpreted intellectual process, both feeding into it and being shaped by its outcomes. Against this are posited the restrictions potential in the increasingly aggressive restriction of free access as
commercial interests seek to channel and restrict access to the flow in pursuit of profit. The Australian library network straddles both domains, serving the processes of literature in its broadest sense, whilst to an increasing degree, moving itself onto
a commercial footing. The work of historian Henry Reynolds is examined against the implications of these opposed developments.
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Narrative identity as a central theme in an ethics of librarianship
Bonna Jones
The theory of narrative identity presented by Paul Ricoeur is suggested as a basis for understanding the notion of person. The action of reading is considered as an analogy to understand not only how we make an account of an individual or corporate life,
but also how we as persons live inside an identity as an ongoing consciousness. Some implications for an ethics of librarianship are explored.
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Virtual libraries - long overdue: the Digital Agenda Act and Australian libraries
Richard Pascoe and Hilary May Black
'Here, then, is the point at which I see the new mission of the librarian rise up incomparably higher than all those preceding. Up until the present, the librarian has been principally occupied with the book as a thing, as a material object. From now on he
must give his attention to the book as a living function. He must become a policeman, master of the raging book.' [A translation of Ortega y Gasset's address to the International Congress of Bibliographers and Librarians in Paris in 1934.] Jose Ortega y
Gasset (1883-1955)
After over seven years of discussions, consultation and debate the Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000 (the Digital Agenda Act) was passed through the House of Representatives and Senate on 17 August 2000. Following a transition
period it came into force on 4 March 2001. At the heart of the debate concerning the Act has been the traditional concern of copyright law - how to balance the needs of copyright users and the rights of the creators of copyright material. Librarians have
been at the forefront of user groups concerned about the potential impact of the Act on their clients and operations. This article focuses on the likely impact of the Act on Australian libraries in the digital age.
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Customer services in the National Library of Australia: leading edge or dragging the chain?
Roxanne Missingham
Customer service in commonwealth government agencies has come a long way in the last decade. The growth of awareness of consumer affairs has led to the development of a service charter and complaints handling process in the National Library of Australia
that provides a model of service in a public enterprise. Recent focus groups and a survey of customers have shown increasing satisfaction with the library's service, but reflect a very low awareness of the service charter. This raises questions about how
complaint resolution is perceived. The development of online services such as digital collections is discussed in terms of service expectations of clients.
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The role of the internet for people with disabilities: issues of access and equity for public libraries
Kirsty Williamson, Don Schauder, Louise Stockfield, Steve Wright and Amanda Bow
This article reports two studies, which, although separate, focus on related issues concerned with online access for people with disabilities in the context of information and library provision. The first project concerns the potentialities of online
services for people who are blind and sight impaired and has a particular emphasis on information-seeking behaviour. The second project concerns online services for people with disabilities in Australian public libraries, and focuses on evaluation of
adaptive equipment, associated training and strategies for improving access. Four research questions, relevant to one or both of the projects, are selected for discussion in the article: What are the information needs of people with disabilities,
particularly people who are blind and sight impaired? What are the recreational interests of people with a diverse range of disabilities? What role can the internet play in meeting information needs and in serving recreational interests? How can public
libraries assist people with disabilities to use the internet and thus address issues of access and equity for this group of people? The article reviews the literature in relation to the four questions, describes the interpretivist conceptual framework
used for both studies, and outlines the research method used for each. The results of the two studies, relevant to each of the questions, is then presented. A major conclusion to the article is that the development of partnerships between public libraries
and local disability groups is likely to result in significant benefits for people with disabilities.
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Mould: the invasive intruder!
Mary Anne Temby
Being situated in the north tropics of Australia is an experience in itself, for someone who has never lived in this environment it is a daunting experience to realise your collection is now growing mould. When the collection is a valuable research
collection used by research scientists in their quest for knowledge and understanding of the marine environment, you have to take immediate action. How we combated the invasive intruder is documented here with some basic recommendations and things to be
aware of when checking your collection. Beware! It could happen to you.
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A semester in Palestine: volunteering in Birzeit University main library
John T Maguire
John T Maguire is a Canberra librarian who took leave from employment to study and work as a volunteer librarian at Birzeit University in Palestine. The university library, work undertaken and organisation of the placement are described. Comment is also
made on the role of information technology in libraries.
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