The Australian Library and Information Association welcomes your invitation to participate in the Inquiry into self-regulation in the information and communications industries being conducted by the Senate Select Committee on Information Technologies. Our Association has been a party to many of the government initiated inquiries and public forums on this matter in recent years. We represent over 8000 libraries and librarians throughout Australia. Libraries in our schools, TAFEs and universities as well as public libraries play an important role in bringing Internet access to those who cannot otherwise afford to purchase the means of access. In addition to this equity role, libraries are an important factor in developing information literacy skills in the 'brave new world' of online technology.
Libraries aim to create a rich and exciting range of positive Internet experiences.
This important educational role, augmented by the further development of public education such as is proposed later in this submission, is one of the important keys to making appropriate use of the Internet. Self regulatory codes of practice are but one element in ensuring that the rights of individuals are protected while a broad base of information remains accessible. The Association seeks to ensure that equity of access to information is not compromised in the new medium, while still being responsive to community concerns relating to the nature of the information which is accessible on-line. ALIA believes that, in time, technological solutions can be found for technological problems. It is the content of on-line services, particularly in the context of community standards and the protection of intellectual property interests, which requires immediate consideration.