Commonwealth libraries provide access to Government reports for staff in their department or agency. They provide information service to over 140,000 Australians. Some Commonwealth libraries provide access to the public. The AGPS Library Deposit Scheme provides many University and Public libraries with copies of Government Reports. This has given most Australians ready access to information on the work undertaken by Government and Parliament.
Libraries are the most used cultural institution in Australia.
Clearly the wide geographical distribution of libraries and their high use by the Australian community, Commonwealth libraries included, contributes to the effective access provided to all Australians of the current Parliamentary papers series. Preservation of the record of Government Imagine what would happen if 10 copies of an important Government report were published, they were sent to 10 individuals or agencies who were thought to be interested. In 6 to 12 months time no copies would exist. In all likelihood the record of the Inquiry or report would be lost to all Australians. With no documentary record of the issue and the Government s investigation, any future report would quite likely duplicate the same work.