NSLA meeting outcomes, November 2012 

Outcomes of the NSLA Meeting
Canberra 15-16 November 2012

Public library statistics review

Julia Hinsliff and Paul Pamment, Australian Bureau of Statistics, met with NSLA to report on the current review of the national collection of public library statistics. ABS is working with the State Library of Queensland on this review, including planning a series of consultations. More information will be provided for public libraries in early 2013.

ALIA update and priorities

Discussion with Sue McKerracher, Executive Director, ALIA on priorities for 2013, including ebooks, advocacy, the future of the profession, and the profile of Australian libraries at IFLA in Singapore. ALIA and NSLA will take part in an eBooks Summit in March 2013 and explore options for joint promotion at IFLA.

NLA initiatives day and the ALRC copyright review

On 15 November, the National Library of Australia presented sessions for NSLA Libraries on priorities and initiatives, including: the Digital Library Infrastructure Replacement project; proposed changes to legal deposit legislation; priorities for Trove, web archiving, overseas collecting, and reading room configuration.

In addition, Professor Jill McKeough, Australian Law Reform Commission, attended to discuss the issues raised by the inquiry into Copyright and the Digital Economy. This meeting will be followed by a roundtable in March 2013 as the draft outcomes of this important inquiry become available for comment and response.

Digital engagement strategies

David Ferrarin and Florian Dehne from LEK Consulting presented on the challenges of 'digital transition' for media industries, highlighting parallels with issues faced by libraries.

NSLA coordinating committees and projects

The 15 NSLA projects are grouped under the three strategies in Re-imagining Libraries 2012-2016 – One Library, Enabling People and Accessible Content. Coordinating committees link strategic planning and consider emerging issues and priorities. The following initiatives were endorsed at this meeting:

• Chairs of the One Library and Accessible Content committees met with NSLA. Following the Enabling People committee meeting in December, a combined report will be developed on NSLA’s directions and challenges under these strategies.
• The Maps project survey report with recommendations was endorsed. Work packages will begin in early 2013.
• Report on issues, trends and priorities in Storage Management was submitted for discussion. A public version will be made available on the NSLA website.
• NSLA funded Stage 1 of the Digital Preservation Technical Registry; also the promotion of the Trove API through the 2013 GovHack competition.

Information Services Forum for managers of information and research services in NSLA libraries will be held in Sydney on 12-13 December 2012.

Literacy and Learning seminar

Planning is underway for a public seminar to be held at the State Library of NSW on 17 July 2013 focusing on Libraries, Learning and Literacy: linking policy and practice. Draft program has been developed and speakers will be announced in early 2013.

eResources promotion

In mid-2012, the NSLA Communications and Marketing group began a campaign to promote the subscription journals available via NSLA libraries. As part of the promotion, all NSLA libraries moved to a common branding for eResources, now being used on websites and in a wide range of promotional materials. Following requests, NSLA has agreed to make the branding available for public libraries and other libraries to increase the recognition and visibility of eResources collections.