Libraries Help Drive Economic Recovery

Investments in libraries pay long-term dividends in having an economically stronger, more socially inclusive community

OTTAWA (May 15, 2009) Representatives from the Canadian Library Association (CLA) today announced the urgent need for further investment in public libraries in order to build and/or upgrade their infrastructure.

No matter what the current economic situation is, Canadians know that they can get information, services and assistance they need from their public library.

“In our current economic situation, public libraries have become increasingly popular places for Canadians to come in and enjoy the library’s free resources,” said Ken Roberts, CLA president. “Whether it is surfing online for fun, borrowing DVDs or brushing up on résumé skills, people are flocking to libraries in the thousands to take advantage of a place that is primarily free.”

Across Canada, most cities are reporting large increases in their services and programs, not to mention items being borrowed by the millions. For example, in Calgary alone in 2008, borrowing was up by 1.1 million for a total of 15.4 million – an increase of 7.7% from 2007. Calgary’s 17 branch libraries were the second busiest in the country after Toronto, and sixth busiest in North America.

Key 2008 Ottawa statistics include an increase in library visits by 12%, an increase in usage of library items by almost 23%, and increase in the number of visits to the library’s online resources such as the website and online reference questions by 14%.

“This increase in usage is primarily due to the fact that Canadians are realizing that they can borrow books, DVDs, CDs and video games,” added Roberts. “In addition, if for any reason patrons need to cancel a magazine subscription or their internet, they can always come into the public library and enjoy these things for free.”

Not only are public libraries beneficial for entertainment and leisure purposes, they also provide essential resources to help stimulate Canada’s national economy. Public libraries play an important role in assisting people with literacy skills, résumé creation, job location and application, and re-education opportunities.

Applying for jobs via paper applications and résumés is becoming less common. Employers now rely more on online job applications and résumés sent by e-mail. The public libraries can provide help for people unfamiliar with computers for this process.

“Many of Canada’s busiest public libraries are reporting that their job-hunting resources are the most sought after service,” commented Kelly Moore, CLA Executive Director. “As an example, at London’s public library website, the ‘searching for work’ link was used 75,485 times in 2008. It is the site’s most popular link.”

As the library’s services and resources continue to rise in demand, essential programs are in extreme danger of being cut, due to the lack of federal funding. In addition to needing more library employees to keep up with the quick-moving pace of library visitors, some public libraries are in need of the physical space and technological infrastructure upgrades.

CLA underscored the need for an expanded role for the federal government in supporting libraries, including:

Improved and expanded federal investment in broadband and ensuring access to broadband via libraries
Improved long-term funding for libraries through programs such as the Community Access Program (CAP) and infrastructure spending
Copyright legislation that controls costs for libraries and ensures availability of material for the public
“Further investment in public libraries is urgently needed, as they are key components of communities’ master plans,” added Moore. “With more investment, public libraries will be able to increase access to the physically disabled, become more energy-efficient, and incorporate the latest information and communications technology”.

The Canadian Library Association/Association canadienne des bibliothèques (CLA) is Canada’s largest national and broad-based library association, representing the interests of public, academic, school and special libraries, professional librarians and library workers, and all those concerned about enhancing the quality of life of Canadians through information and literacy.

Online catalogues: what users and librarians want

In 2008, OCLC conducted focus groups, administered a pop-up survey on WorldCat.org OCLC's freely available end user interface on the Web—and conducted a web-based survey of librarians worldwide.

The Online Catalogues report presents findings from these research efforts in order to understand:

* The metadata elements that are most important to end users in determining if an item will meet his or her needs
* The enhancements end users would like to see made in online library catalogues to assist them in consistently identifying appropriate materials
* The enhancements librarians would recommend for online library catalogues to better assist them in their work

The findings indicate, among other things, that although library catalogues are often thought of as discovery tools, the catalogue's delivery-related information is just as important to end users.

Online Catalogues Full Report

The Little Book of Public Libraries

ALIA announces The little book of public libraries
ALIA is at the final design stage of producing a quick, simple summary of why public libraries are so important; giving library supporters the words and ideas they need to champion our cause. This isn't a throwaway leaflet - it's a lively little book that people will love to pick up and flick through. It's light on words (less than 1500 in total) and heavy on content - every line is a zinger.


The Little book of public libraries is based on the English version by the same name. You can check out the English version online at:
English Little Book of Public Libraries

Further information will be available via the ALIA homepage next week:

ALIA Website

Public Library Ambassadors Program

ALIA names Australia's first public library ambassadors
ALIA is delighted to announce the appointment of the nation's first two Public Library Ambassadors: Barry Heard, the award-winning Australian author, and Bruce Miller, one of New South Wales' most active local government leaders.

The Public Library Ambassador program is in full swing with further resources to assist libraries to get their program underway. We encourage public libraries to continue to develop and confirm local ambassadors around the country.

ALIA Public Library Ambassadors can be grass-root members of the community or celebrity advocates who will use their talent or fame to promote the value of public libraries in their lives, especially attracting media attention. Similar in concept to UNESCO's goodwill ambassadors, an important difference is that ALIA Public Library Ambassadors come from a broad cross-section of the Australian community.


Amabassador Program information

Media release: ALIA names Australia's first public library ambassadors
Media Release

I am delighted to announce that Jean Nicholson has graciously accepted to be the Blue Mountains Public Library Ambassador. It was felt that Jean is one of the Library's biggest advocates. We will also be recuiting a "high profile" ambassador - watch this space!

ALIA Public Libraries Summit - new date confirmed!

The ALIA Public Libraries Summit will now be held 16 July 2009. We are delighted that Senator Ursula Stephens, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, and Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Prime Minister for Social Inclusion, will open the Summit.

Submissions already received are now available on the Summit website. Check out the blog for more information.

ALIA summit blog

New Hurstville Library Website

Hurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery service has a new website they would like to share with you.

Hurstville Library Website

The brand new website has a number of exciting new features. Customers will enjoy far greater access to both information and entertainment. The new features include:

The LMG Blog
The Blog allows people to post comments on information ranging from LMG events, book reviews, to new items added to the collection. Don't miss this opportunity to tell us what you think.

HSC Help Wiki
The HSC Help wiki is an extensive resource of HSC material which is available within the library, from home, school, or anywhere with an Internet connection. It includes selected journal articles from the library's electronic databases, links to a number of different websites concerning school and HSC assignments and a list of useful items from the physical collection. Many of these resources cannot be found on the internet and are only available to members using the wiki so make sure you check this out.

Facebook
Want to meet other LMG members or staff? Perhaps see what events are coming up or check out recent photos. Then go to the brand new LMG Facebook profile. It provides all this and more. Become a fan today.

FLICKR
Flickr is a photo/video streaming website which is freely available on the Internet. The site allows users to upload their personal photos and videos to a world wide audience. The LMG Flickr page provides a visual record of current and past events run by the LMG & Hurstville City Council.

Your Tutor
This is a real time virtual homework help service with live qualified teachers for school aged children. What's more, this fantastic service is free of charge to all LMG members. Who said tutoring was expensive.
Increase your grades today.

Assignment Assistant
Our support for students does not end there. Assignment Assistant is another resource which aims to provide a comprehensive suite of resources for students all in the one spot. These resources include the HSC Help wiki, useful student related delicious weblinks, the Your Tutor tutoring service, a complete list of the research databases which contain over 1,000,000 journal articles, and a link to the computer school which provides training for a variety of IT based applications.

Ask Us
If Your Tutor and Assignment Assistant has not answered your question then ask us. Ask Us is a free on-line reference service where you can submit questions to our qualified librarians for assistance. So if you need help with your assignment don't waste time just sitting there. Fill out the Ask Us webform and let us help you.

RSS Feeds to What's On & What's New
Want to be the first to find out when the book you have been waiting for arrives. Then subscribe to What's New and receive an RSS feed which will alert you to a selection of our latest purchases. Alternatively be the first to know what events are coming up in the LMG by subscribing to the What's On RSS feed. You will always be the first to know by subscribing to the RSS feeds.

Discovery Writers group blog
Check out and comment on a selection of short stories and poetry from the local Discovery Writers Group blog. Give them feedback or perhaps join the group. This is an exciting new resource which launched with the new site.

Hurstville Library Website

ALIA News

I wish you a happy Australian Library and Information Week for 2009. With the theme of Libraries your passport to discovery there is a world of potential to showcase the many ways in which your library makes a difference. Remember to send us stories and photos of what you've done to promote LIW 2009. It's also important that you and your colleagues take time to celebrate your contribution to our industry, whether this be a slap up morning tea, a glass of bubbles after work or maybe a lamburger after National Simultaneous Storytime!

Last week was a big week for ALIA with meetings of the outgoing and incoming boards and our Annual General Meeting neatly sandwiched in the middle. It was a time for us to farewell outgoing ALIA President, Derek Whitehead and Directors Katy Watson and Damian Lodge and welcome incoming Vice President/ President Elect Graham Black and new Directors Kate Sinclair and Gill Hallam. A huge thanks to Derek, Katy and Damian for their commitment, professionalism and insights. The "take home" messages from our meetings are available on the ALIA website - please take time to have a look at them and stay in touch with the diversity of issues before your Association.
ALIA Reports here

I look forward to meeting and working with many of you over the next 12 months

Best wishes

Jan

Jan Richards
President
Australian Library and Information Association
ph: 61 2 63938126 or 0418234827
jan.richards@alia.org.au
www.alia.org.au