Presentation to Curtin Library and Information Studies Students

Australian libraries, ALIA, Australian libraries, ALIA, the world! the world!

Roxanne MissinghamRoxanne MissinghamAustralian Parliamentary LibrarianAustralian Parliamentary Librarian

What is a libraryWhat is a library1.1. Users everywhere onlineUsers everywhere online2.2. Many channelsMany channels3.3. Many diverse offeringsMany diverse offerings4.4. Competition for time and as Competition for time and as

information access servicesinformation access services5.5. What are we doing?What are we doing?

Chinese Monks, Carindale Library, Brisbane

Thuringowa Central Library

Southern Tablelands Regional Library

Northern Regional Library & IS

Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service

New Solutions: CollectNew Solutions: Collect

New Solutions: DigitiseNew Solutions: Digitise

New Solutions: CollaborateNew Solutions: Collaborate

ALIA : ALIA : linking people with ideaslinking people with ideas

Professional association for workers, Professional association for workers, students and othersstudents and others

Key areas of workKey areas of work Education & professional developmentEducation & professional development Advocacy (e.g. copyright)Advocacy (e.g. copyright) Activities – events, group opportunitiesActivities – events, group opportunities Research including a research fundResearch including a research fund AwardsAwards Financial management & governanceFinancial management & governance

ALIA : ALIA : linking people with ideaslinking people with ideas

Student AwardsStudent Awards ContactsContacts NetworksNetworks Employment – helping your careerEmployment – helping your career Attend all the event you can!Attend all the event you can!

You are the future:You are the future:

Where have we come from?Where have we come from?

22 million Australians22 million Australians 12 million public library users12 million public library users

Online Online

In 2005-06, 60% of Australian households In 2005-06, 60% of Australian households had Internet access at home and 70% had had Internet access at home and 70% had access to a home computer. access to a home computer.

Public libraries have 4,638 Internet Public libraries have 4,638 Internet workstations for Australians to use workstations for Australians to use

EmploymentEmployment

Australian Bureau of Statistics and Australian Bureau of Statistics and Department of Employment classify almost Department of Employment classify almost 29,000 of 10 million working Australians as 29,000 of 10 million working Australians as library workers. library workers.

13,400 are librarians; 8 800 are library 13,400 are librarians; 8 800 are library assistants; and 6,700 work as library assistants; and 6,700 work as library technicians technicians

LiteracyLiteracy

Over 6 million Australian adults (47%) Over 6 million Australian adults (47%) don't have adequate literacy skills to cope don't have adequate literacy skills to cope with the demands of everyday life and with the demands of everyday life and work (level 1/2). work (level 1/2).

Only 17% of adult Australians had literacy Only 17% of adult Australians had literacy skills at levels 4/5.skills at levels 4/5.

ABS 2008ABS 2008

Where to from here?Where to from here?