This illustrated online pamphlet is ultimately aimed at the general public, especially those who are either not currently digital literates or are unaware of the digital facilities which various kinds of libraries offer. Almost all of the examples and photographs are taken from Australia. However, as part of its advocacy programme ALIA is sending hard copies to selected recipients such as MPs, who need to be aware not only for themselves but because they are in positions of influence (and potential funding?).
To reach the intended targets the content is necessarily rather superficial in that it does not go into technical detail, but it does give examples of how people with problems have used libraries and librarians/information staff to solve them. Workers in libraries are seen as people who have information skills and experience, and are prepared to sit down and help people with their own information needs. It is a message which needs to be transmitted constantly and widely at all levels.
The challenge is for library information specialists throughout Australia to use this resource locally. Printing and posting even a small number comes at a cost, but downloading is easy and the URL may be added to correspondence, news items and posters, etc. Is it a resource which you could use?
Wagga Wagga
[email protected]
© 2018 Edward Reid-Smith
https://doi./org/10.1080/24750158.2018.1466616