Libraries, as authoritative custodians and providers of information, are facing a number of challenges as they are trying to adjust to the new information environment. Some challenges arise from major paradigm shifts in recent decades relating to the understanding of the nature of information processes and conceptions of authority. Engagement…

This discussion paper seeks to highlight the need for standardization in the development of computer and telecommunications systems in Australian libraries to ensure an inbuilt capacity to interconnect with other systems. It presents a proposal for the establishment of an on-going mechanism responsible for identifying and developing standards…

A brief overview of automated cataloging systems in Australia with primary emphasis on new developments. (Author)

The first of two volumes of a conference proceedings, this document contains the welcome, the opening, the keynote addresses, and the invited papers, as well as a submitted paper by John Gillam which was not available for publication in the pre-prints (Volume 2) prior to the conference. Three addresses are not included in these proceedings and…

Many libraries are using co-browsing chat products to provide reference services to their patrons, whilst their patrons are online and using the internet. The concept of such an online service is highly desirable, but many libraries are concerned that they will never be able to afford such a system. This may have changed: Instant Messaging (IM)…

The evolution and current operation of the National Library of Australia are described. Included is information on the library's collections (book, film, and pictorial), union catalogs, bibliographical services, publications, technical processes, and special services. Comments on Australian interests and activities in foreign countries are also…

The fifteenth biennial Conference of the Library Association of Australia was held from August 25th to 29th, 1969, in Adelaide. This proceedings volume contains many of the papers given, and summaries of many others. Five papers were presented during the plenary sessions. Thirty-one authors presented general papers. There were nine seminars…

A follow-up interview with librarians from Hong Kong, Mexico, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand about library automation systems in their libraries and their plans for the future. Discusses system performance, upgrades, services, resources, intranets, trends in automation, Web interfaces, full-text image/document systems, document delivery, OPACs…

This article was originally written on the internet in Australia to provide a starting point for discussions of new perspectives on education made possible by advanced technologies. Ecosocial changes in the practices and institutions called education are discussed in the context of changes in the practices and institutions called information…