Digital amnesia: challenges of government online

Access to government online publications

Outcomes of the Digital Amnesia: challenges of government online seminar, 21 April 2005

ALIA is committed

To promote the free flow of information and ideas in the interest of all Australians and a thriving culture, economy and democracy (ALIA Constitution, Object 1)

Government services are at the core of Australian activities and life. Access to information from government is essential for an informed citizenship. Government information has moved at an increasing pace to be available through the internet, particularly at Commonwealth government level. Ensuring access to this information requires action to enable the information to be identified through search and discovery services. In addition the information needs to be stored to enable long term access.

The Commonwealth Government Online Strategy requires government agencies to:

• deliver all appropriate services online via the internet;
• ensure core minimum standards in important areas such as privacy, security and accessibility are met; and
• encourage government business operations to go online.

Publication of information online rather than in print is now the norm for many agencies in Commonwealth, state and local government.

Libraries have a key role to play in this environment. They can contribute to access to government information by:

• recording information about government online information to enable the online resources to be found;
• providing access though community information discovery services such as library catalogues and online resource discovery services;
• developing and implementing standards for resource descriptions and storage of online e resources;
• supporting community access through information services from public, state and national libraries;
• working with information policy agencies such as the Australian Government Information Management Office to create awareness of the need to record and maintain availability of online government information resources; and
• providing long term access through online archives maintained by the national and state libraries.

At a seminar on 21 April 2005 the key issues of identifying, providing access to and maintaining government publications were highlighted as requiring immediate action. ALIA will pursue the following agenda items:

• working with the Australian Government Information Management Office and National Library Australia to develop better mechanisms for sharing information on government online resources;
• working with Australian libraries and government agencies towards long term access solutions for these resources;
• working at national, state and local government levels to address these issues; and
• promoting the role of libraries in providing access and support to Australians to ensure utilisation of online government resources and information services.

A thriving culture, economy and democracy requires the free flow of information and ideas. Fundamental to that free flow of information and ideas are Australia's library and information services. They are a legacy to each generation, conveying the knowledge of the past and the promise of the future. (ALIA core values statement) Access to government information and publications is essential to build such a nation.

(endorsed by the ALIA Board of Directors, 22 July 2005)