Statement on public library services

ALIA objects addressed

To promote the free flow of information and ideas in the interests of all Australians and a thriving culture and democracy.

To promote and improve the services provided by all kinds of library and information agencies.

Principle

Freedom of access to public library and information services is essential to the democratic process and to the social well-being of the Australian community.

Statement

Each member of the Australian community has an equal right to public library and information services regardless of age, race, gender, religion, nationality, language, disability, geographic location, social status, economic status and educational attainment.

A public library services its community through the provision of access to knowledge, information and works of imagination through a range of resources and services. It does this through access to materials in any format in order to meet the needs of individuals and groups for education, information and personal development including recreation and leisure.

Public libraries have an important role in the development and maintenance of a democratic society by giving individuals access to a wide and varied range of information, ideas and opinions.

Public libraries serve as a first point of access for information for the general public and for the public's access to the national system of library and information services.

The satisfaction of a person's information needs must be independent of an ability to pay.

Local, state/territory and Commonwealth governments have an obligation to provide public library services to all members of the library's clientele without direct charge to the user.

Australians resident in rural, regional and remote areas should have access to the library and information services they require at a level comparable to that available to Australians who reside in metropolitan areas.

The Australian Library and Information Association believes that public library services have particular responsibilities to monitor and respond to the changing demographic characteristics and trends of their communities, to consult with their communities and to meet information, learning and recreational needs of an increasingly diverse society. Public library services should ensure that they have policies in place to respond to and meet relevant legislative requirements.

Related documents

ALIA statement on free access to information

ALIA core values statement

ALIA statement on information literacy for all Australians

ALIA statement on online content regulation

Other resources

ALIA Public Libraries Reference Group