It is a requirement for all universities in Australia to have a university library service, and institutions take pride in their facilities, often seeing them as a symbol of the university’s investment in 21st century learning.
University libraries serve students and faculty on campus, and provide access to resources for the rapidly increasing number who study remotely.
There were six themes that emerged, specific to libraries in primary, secondary, K–12, government, Catholic and independent schools. 1. The most important job in the library and information sector. 2. Deepening the divide. 3. Easy and rewarding. 4. Digital skills. 5. Parent power. 6. Competing for attention.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Schools Australia 2012 report stated the number of Australian government schools (6,697), Catholic schools (1,713) and independent schools (1,017), giving a total of 9,427 primary and secondary schools.
There were 12 themes that emerged from this report specific to the 1,500 public libraries in Australia. 1. 50:50 by 2020. 2. Reading: a national pastime. 3. New media. 4. Support for the creative economy. 5. Community created content. 6. It's not all about the book. 7. Maker spaces. 8. Enterprise hubs. 9. Online learning. 10. Everyone a member. 11. Local services through a national network. 12. The meaning of free.
There are some 1,505 public library service points across Australia, including 1,429 fixed point and 76 mobile libraries. These services are funded by local and state or territory government in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia, and by the State Government in Tasmania and the ACT Government in Canberra.
Ten themes emerged from our consultation relating specifically to special libraries, including government, law, health, corporate, engineering, science, art and others. 1. Radical transformation. 2. Value proposition. 3. DIY information. 4. Ready to use. 5. A seat at the top table. 6. Centralise and embed. 7. Big data. 8. Digitisation. 9. Subject specialisation. 10. Space.
Special libraries comprise government, association, health, law, corporate, consulting firm, ICT, engineering, religious, science and technology, art, museum, agriculture, media and other libraries that serve departments, institutions, not-for-profits, charities and businesses. The word library doesn’t always appear in the title, instead some are called information services or research units, terms which also describe their main purpose and function.
There were five themes that emerged specific to collecting institutions - National, State and Territory libraries. 1. National treasures direct to your device. 2. Linked data enriches the experience. 3. The need for new legislation. 4. Managing volume. 5. Cultural participation.
The nation’s nine collecting institutions are the National Library of Australia, the State Libraries of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia, the ACT Heritage Library and the Northern Territory Library. The primary role of these libraries is to collect, preserve and provide access to the documentary history of Australia, including books, manuscripts, documents, images, maps and other materials, in print, digital and other formats. The collective body representing these institutions is the National and State Libraries Australasia (NSLA).
Every year, some 800 people graduate from an Australian university or TAFE, with a professional qualification in library and information science. Often it is a second career choice, and this contributes to the diversity of age and experience within the sector. Graduates with a degree or Masters qualification are eligible to become an ALIA Associate member, and those with a VET certificate or diploma, an ALIA Library Technician member.
