While all other states have moved to closer integration of state and public libraries, South Australia is moving the other way--an error which will have to be rectified. (Author)

The seven state libraries of Australia are profiled in two- page articles. Each article contains a description of the library and its programs, a statement from its director or state librarian about his/her background, and photographs. (DGM)

Describes Infocus, a membership-based service of the State Library of New South Wales (NSW) that provides students with information for their study of the NSW Higher School Certificate curriculum. Developed in collaboration with school and public libraries, Infocus provides reproductions of resources held by the State Library of NSW. (LRW)

Following a background on the development of Library Industry Competency Standards within Australia and the impact of these standards, this paper focuses on issues raised, opportunities for integration, and future challenges. Concludes that through staff participation and simplicity of implementation the standards have the potential to add to…

This report discusses the importance of state libraries to the system of Australian library resources and outlines the relevance of state library resources to the present and future information needs of the Australian community. The nature and function of state libraries are reviewed and placed in a historical context. An outline of the challenges…

John Metcalfe was a leader of the Free Library Movement in Australia in the 1930s, becoming a well-known educator, writer, and state librarian. His involvement in national and international library cooperation from the 1940s to the 1960s widened his earlier New South Wales focus. There is a strong democratic focus in Metcalfe's writings on…

Reports on a 1987 survey of automation in Australian academic and state libraries. The current situation is described in several areas: (1) turnkey integrated "proprietary" library system suppliers; (2) networks; (3) modules; (4) database issues; and (5) staffing trends. The questionnaire and data on proprietary systems and modules used…

This paper discusses the impact of change on the State Library of New South Wales (Australia), a large public research library charged with the care and continuing use of a documentary heritage. The first section provides background on the State Library, including history, collection, mission, and use. The second section describes library clients,…

This paper explores the issues and opportunities for information providers in a digital environment where the skills of management of change and leadership are necessary to create vital and healthy organizations. The first section discusses challenges of the digital environment and skills for the information profession, including the impact of…

Examines the Australian experience of legal deposit mandated only to the national and state libraries, supplemented by a free issue to 19 university libraries. Also examines the value of the depository program in providing accessible information and alternative strategies for providing public access to government information. There are 33…

Assesses the changing nature of information and user needs in the modern electronic networked environment. Suggests that library services must adapt to these changes and develop appropriate new services, and describes examples of such services that were developed by the State Library of Tasmania. (Author/LRW)

This paper comprises four case studies that illustrate the State Library of New South Wales' (Australia) commitment to learning. The first section describes a shared learning environment for graduate information studies students that was collaboratively developed by the State Library and the University of Technology, Sydney (Australia). The second…

This paper discusses the Research and Evaluation Program at the State Library of New South Wales (Australia) and what it has revealed about clients' notions of value and relevance. An overview is provided of the services that have been developed in order to meet clients expectations, including reading room services and the development of the 3Tier…

The goal of the State Library of Queensland's (Australia) Metadata Project is the deployment of metadata using the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set in State Library Web pages. This is expected to improve resource discovery by Internet users, through providing index information (metadata) in State Library Web pages which is then available to search…