National broadband strategy

ALIA proposes that improvements to broadband services and infrastructure in libraries and increased digitisation of Australian cultural and government information would bring major benefits to the Australian community.

ALIA is advocating on behalf of its members and the sector on these issues primarily through its membership of the National Broadband Strategy Implementation Group's (NBSIG) digital content working group. ALIA's position on the working group arises initially from the forum held at ALIA House during Library and Information Week 2004 - Down and loaded: the right information at the right time. Dagmar Schmidmaier AM, ALIA vice-president (president-elect) represents ALIA on the digital content working group.

The NBSIG oversees the implementation of the national broadband strategy. It has representatives from all levels of government and is a focal point for co-ordinating government broadband activities. The NBSIG is administered through the information economy section of the federal Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

The NBSIG established the digital content working group to examine three key sectors: cultural digital content (libraries, museums and beyond); government digital content (education, health and other services); and industry and broadband content (producers, distributors and technology).

In October 2005 ALIA, in collaboration with VICNET, a division of the State Library of Victoria, conducted a survey of public libraries to gain accurate data on the level of connectivity, broadband or otherwise, costs, and access to electronic information by both staff and registered users.

Broadband Connect and Clever Networks program

The Clever Networks program is part of the federal government's $1.1 billion connect Australia package and supports development and roll-out of new broadband infrastructure, networks and innovative applications to improve health, education and other essential services delivery in regional, rural and remote areas.

ALIA's response to the Department of Communications, Information Technology and Arts discussion paper on the Broadband Connect and Clever Network programs proposes that improvements to broadband services and infrastructure in libraries would bring major benefits to the Australian community.