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The purpose of this paper is to consider how libraries support the development of community networks both physically and digitally. To do this, a case-study methodology was employed, including a combination of data about the library and qualitative interviews with library users considering their experience of the library. This paper proposes that libraries act as 'third places' spatially connecting people; libraries also build links with online media and play a critical role in inclusively connecting non-technology users with the information on the Internet and digital technology more generally. The paper establishes the value of libraries in the digital age and recommends that libraries actively seek ways to develop links between non-technology users and activity on the Internet. It addresses the need to reach these types of non-technology users in different ways. Further, it suggests that libraries utilise their positioning as third places to create broader community networks, to support local communities beyond existing users and beyond the library precinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has established international standards for website accessibility which attempt to ensure that everyone has the same opportunities to use materials published on the World Wide Web (Web). This article provides a summation of the research conducted into the accessibility of public library websites in Western Australia. A discussion is provided of the website audit methods used and results obtained. The research demonstrates the level of compliance with Australian and International standards as well as results of surveys used to determine the perceived willingness to comply with those standards, barriers to compliance and benefits of an accessible website. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the International Evidence-Based Librarianship conference held in Brisbane between October 16-19, 2005. Nearly 200 participants attended the conference, from many countries around the world. The Great Britain, Canada, U.S., Australia and New Zealand were all represented, with a very stimulating mix of practitioners and researchers/academics. The focus was on developments in evidence: linking research with practice. A range of workshops and presentations throughout the event elicited much greater interaction and questioning than generally occurs in U.S. conferences. At the conference a \vide range of research projects in library and information science were reported and discussed. During the conference the emphasis was led on the point that libraries have a very active interest in understanding what their users needs are, what services they should be delivering and how they should be developing their services to better meet these needs. Workshops included case studies of generalised library activities and services to develop research questions which were not limited to the health sectors.

The shift in policy from market driven behaviour towards a more cooperative tertiary sector is having an effect on New Zealand academic libraries and their relationships. Despite this, there has been no investigation of collaboration specifically targeting New Zealand tertiary libraries. This research project examine the state of collaboration between New Zealand tertiary libraries in early 2004. Its objective was to explore the extent and nature of collaboration, and the attitudes of New Zealand librarians towards this process. The research found that the majority of tertiary libraries are collaborating (88%) in some form with three types of collaboration dominating the results: joint licensing agreements (20%), reciprocal borrowing (20%), and acquisition purchasing agreements (19%). These ventures are initiated by directives from the libraries' own institutions, or by the formal and informal gathering of librarians where collaboration was used to solve a variety of problems. Once initiated, these ventures are often informally constructed, with only 10% having a written policy and 22% having a written contract. Despite identified barriers such as a lack of resources, and the need to give priority to local user needs, respondents (79%) felt that collaboration would continue to increase from its present rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information about the Australian Academic & Research Libraries (AARL). Bob Pymm has joined the editorial team as Book Reviews Editor. The library invites readers who are willing to review books and gives certain guidelines as to how the process of reviewing books should be done. After a period of six weeks of receiving the book the reviewer should send a review of about 300 words which describes and evaluates the book. Those interested have been asked to contact Bob Pymm, the Books Reviews Editor.