Pathways to knowledge

Abstract

Reviews the state of library and information networking and document delivery in Australia, based on the content of the Australian Library and Information Association 5th Biennial Conference and Exhibition, Adelaide, October 1998. Short case studies are presented which cover the co-operative relationships between libraries, users, organizations and publishers to illustrate the diversity of library and information networking and to show that simple user to user models, or publisher to user models, have only limited utility. Focuses on networks, services and databases and publications unique to Australia. Identifies five different types of Australian library networks: Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL); public library networks; Colleges of Technical and Advanced Further Education (TAFEs); hospital and medical libraries; and co-operating libraries from different sectors. Considers the role of purchasing consortia, such as: the Public Libraries Automated Information Network (PLAIN); database publishing; the National Periodical Service for Schools; national bibliographic networks (notably Australian Bibliographic Network (ABN)); document delivery services offered by the National Library of Australia; access to electronic periodicals at Flinders University of South Australia; and model licences or licence templates (LIBLICENSE Project, National Electronic Site Licensing Initiative (NESLI), Dutch-German Library Joint licensing Principles and Guidelines and International Coalition of Library Consortia (ICOLC)).