Information services contribute to the achievement of:
- an informed, empowered and technologically literate community of lifelong users of information and information technology;
- an improved quality of life for all Tasmanians, and a culturally rich community;
- sustained economic development in the information age through community and individual innovation;
- equity of access to information and to resources for innovation; and
- the enhanced capacity and increased opportunity for the community to have access to and use its government’s records and other archival material.
The delivery of information services is undertaken by the State Library of Tasmania, Tasmanian Communities Online and the Archives Office of Tasmania.
State Library of Tasmania
The State Library of Tasmania is a statewide library and information service. Providing for the information, educational, cultural and recreational reading needs of the Tasmanian community through a network of seven city libraries, 41 branch libraries and five reference and specialist collections, the State Library’s resources include:
- lending and general reference collections;
- Tasmaniana and collections of rare and specialist items; and
- a range of electronic and online information resources.
The libraries are linked by the Tasmanian Automated Library and Information System (TALIS), a statewide, networked and automated catalogue and electronic information service. Eight senior secondary colleges, 162 schools, 10 Institute of TAFE Tasmania libraries, seven community libraries and three agency libraries are also connected to TALIS.
A range of library services are tailored for people with special needs. Resources include large-print books, recorded books, foreign language materials, DVD, video and audio formats. These resources are delivered through a volunteer courier system for home library clients and through the integrated library network. Providing physical access to library services for people with disabilities is of major importance.
The Tasmanian Library Advisory Board, the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts Management Committee and the Friends Groups of particular libraries provide community input into library services.
Community groups are assisted through the provision of meeting rooms, display areas and services such as Tasmania Online, including Tasmania’s CommunityNet (TCN), which provide information about the community and its organisations.
Tasmania Online provides a comprehensive online index to Tasmanian content and is the official web entry point to the Tasmanian Government.
Tasmanian Communities Online
Tasmanian Communities Online is a community access strategy which enables Tasmanians to have access to computer technology close to where they live.
It provides a network of 64 Online Access Centres around the state that can be used to access online government and community information, as well as lifelong learning opportunities. The Centres provide low-cost access to, and training in, the use of information and communication technology, including access to the internet. The Centres also allow communities to showcase their heritage, cultural life, local businesses and services.
The Tasmanian Communities Online Advisory Board assists in formulating future strategic directions and policy for the network.
Archives Office of Tasmania
The Archives Office provides a framework of policies, guidelines, advice and assistance to ensure that the recordkeeping of state and local government organisations is effective and accountable. It appraises all state and local government records, and, through the position of State Archivist and the provisions of the Archives Act 1983, provides formal, statutory authorisation for their destruction or retention for appropriate periods of time, including those identified for retention as the state’s archives.
The Archives Office provides for long-term preservation of state archival material in suitable storage, and also houses a major collection of non-government records and manuscripts. It holds state and local government records, and non-government records that have a continuing value to the community and to government, and provides access to these records.
Assistance is provided to users of the Archives, including access to a comprehensive computerised system and alternative access arrangements for high-use materials.
Informing Tasmanians