Abstract
The conclusion of the 1988 Ministerial Review of the National Library of Australia (NLA) together with the Australian Libraries Summit meeting of the same year resulted in a repositioning of the library in its relations to government and the Australian library community. There has been a deliberate attempt to raise the profile of the library and knowledge of its role in information delivery. Three key issues over the next few years will be the development of the collections, the use made of them and how decisions are reached on service priorities as staff numbers decline. The Summit meeting had unanimously adopted the concept of a Distributed National Collection for Australia, and in its support of this the NLA has fostered the development of an Australian Conspectus, is funding the Australian National Bibliographic Database (which underpins the Australian Bibliographic Network established in 1981), and has adjusted its own collection development policy. The library is also committed to a total review in 1991 of the Australian bibliographic system, in association with other large Australian libraries; and a major consultancy has been addressing issues related to the document delivery role of the NLA. The library has a strong interest in widening its already active library support programme to appropriate Asian and Pacific countries, and in leading a much wider Australian involvement in international library activities across the board.
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