Redefining the role of the public library in legislation

Abstract

The free public library system is an efficient means of providing people with access to knowledge and ideas contained in books. Recently the traditional arguments in favour of public libraries have been challenged by economic rationalism and the focus on the electronic library. Neither the traditional roles, nor the newly proposed ones are clearly stated in legislation, although they may be mentioned in parliamentary debates. Australian library legislation focuses on establishing statutory bodies to administer the development of state library services. There is an increasing emphasis on accountability for government agencies, requiring them not only to have quantifiable goals but to state them in terms of the way they meet government policy. Legislation does not define the role and function of libraries although roles are implied in the functions and powers prescribed for each library authority and in the respective sections of the various Acts dealing with stateiana and legal deposit requirements. The au...