The document discusses the changing role of libraries and information services in Australia. It notes that libraries now face competition for users' time from many online information sources and must adapt by collecting and digitizing resources, collaborating with other organizations, and providing services through multiple channels. It also provides statistics on library use in Australia and outlines some of the work done by ALIA, the national library association, including advocacy, events, research funding, and helping with careers.

1. Australian libraries, ALIA, the world! Roxanne Missingham Australian Parliamentary Librarian

3. What is a library Users everywhere online Many channels Many diverse offerings Competition for time and as information access services What are we doing?

5. Chinese Monks, Carindale Library, Brisbane Thuringowa Central Library Southern Tablelands Regional Library Northern Regional Library & IS Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service

6. New Solutions: Collect

7. New Solutions: Digitise

8. New Solutions: Collaborate

13. ALIA : linking people with ideas Professional association for workers, students and others Key areas of work Education & professional development Advocacy (e.g. copyright) Activities – events, group opportunities Research including a research fund Awards Financial management & governance

14. ALIA : linking people with ideas Student Awards Contacts Networks Employment – helping your career Attend all the event you can!

16. You are the future: Where have we come from? 22 million Australians 12 million public library users

17. Online In 2005-06, 60% of Australian households had Internet access at home and 70% had access to a home computer. Public libraries have 4,638 Internet workstations for Australians to use

18. Employment Australian Bureau of Statistics and Department of Employment classify almost 29,000 of 10 million working Australians as library workers. 13,400 are librarians; 8 800 are library assistants; and 6,700 work as library technicians

19. Literacy Over 6 million Australian adults (47%) don't have adequate literacy skills to cope with the demands of everyday life and work (level 1/2). Only 17% of adult Australians had literacy skills at levels 4/5. ABS 2008

20. Where to from here?