For inspiration and information ...

Three items about public libraries crossed my desk recently--all of them very different, but all of them showing the challenges, needs and opportunities for public libraries worldwide.

The first is a Canadian 24 minute dvd Remote access." distant libraries of the world. This had its Australasian premiere at a well attended meeting in Mackay Qld on 8 August 2006 held as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Friends of Mackay Libraries as one of Australia's oldest and most successful Friends of Libraries groups. It received spontaneous applause. Why? Because it was warming, informative, entertaining and because it showed how in remote areas of countries as far apart as Kenya and Peru some of the world's 800 million or so illiterate children and adults are having their life chances improved by access to mobile and other public libraries--with the mobility provided by donkeys and camels. It also reminded its audience of the fundamental importance of reading and books--and perhaps led it to reflect on its own privileged access to the fine public libraries in Mackay.

Remote access: distant libraries of the world is a video to show at library staff and library association meetings, workshops, conferences, and to Library Friends--as a break from the serious stuff of meetings and as a reminder to keep them in perspective. It costs $44.95 Canadian including delivery. For more information see the advertisement on the outside back cover of this issue of Aplis and go to www.remoteaccess.ca to order your copy.

By contrast, the second item which is highly recommended is a 400 page book. In Public libraries in the 21st century: defining services and debating the future, Anne Goulding provides a very well researched, thorough and perceptive guide to the discourses of identity, social purpose, value and strategy facing public libraries. The context is public libraries in the UK, but the issues, challenges and outcomes are international. From Ashgate Publishing www.ashgate.com, at 60 [pounds sterling] it is not cheap. But books such as this--readable, relevant, comprehensive, informative, well produced and with a good index and bibliography--are always worth the investment. This one certainly is, for all public library senior and middle managers and library and information studies programs.

Again by contrast, the third item is free, and some New Zealand readers of Aplis will already have seen it. Public libraries of New Zealand." a strategic framework 2006-2016 is available at www.lianza.org.nz/library/files/store_011/StrategicFramework2006.pdf.

New Zealand was ranked in 1956, together with the US, UK, and Denmark as one of the top four public library nations. This framework demonstrates why New Zealand continues to be in the first ten public library nations worldwide, and why in some respects it continues to lead Australia. Public libraries of New Zealand is designed for use at the local level with decision makers, and nationally as a catalyst for transformation and greater collaboration between central and local government. All credit goes to the partners in its production, Local Government New Zealand, the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa, and the National Library. They have achieved something which Australia needs-a single, unequivocal, national statement on the importance, roles and future of public libraries, a statement supported and truly owned by all levels government.

Since its inception nearly 20 years ago Aplis has tried to bridge the awareness and knowledge gap between public libraries in New Zealand and Australia, because both have much to gain from, and share with, each other. It is therefore delighted to report that the successor to the Council of Australian State Libraries (CASL) is transTasman, as reflected in its name National & State Libraries Australasia (NSLA). We should all wish it well, and congratulate its proponents.

Alan Bundy 

Editor

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