Australian Capital Territory | Australian | New South Wales | New Zealand | Northern Territory | Papua New Guinea | Queensland | South Australia | Victoria | Tasmania | Western Australia

Constituent Libraries - Historic and current services:

Parliamentary Librarians:
Australia (Commonwealth) | Australian Capital Territory | New Zealand | New South Wales | Northern Territory | Queensland | South Australia | Tasmania | Victoria | Western Australia

 

 

APLA Libraries

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY LIBRARY

The ACT Legislative Assembly Library

 

ACT Legislative Assembly Home Page http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/

Introduction

The role of the Library is to identify and meet the information needs of Members and staff of the Legislative Assembly for the ACT and staff of the ACT Public Service.

History

Until 1989, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was managed by the Federal Minister responsible for Territories. The Library’s collection hence has been built over many years as a Commonwealth Government Departmental library. Its previous titles include Department of the Interior, Department of the Capital Territory, Department of Territories and ACT Administration.

Following the passing of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-government) Act 1988 along with other related legislation setting up self-government for the Australian Capital Territory, the first ACT Legislative Assembly was elected and had its first meeting in May 1989.
The Library took on the name of The ACT Government and Assembly Library. In 1994, the Assembly together with the Library relocated to its current premises, the Legislative Assembly Building.  

Until recently, the Library was part of the ACT Library and Information Services (ACTLIS) and was funded by, managed by and reported to the ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS). As part of ACTLIS, the Library provided specialist library services to two major client groups.  Its primary clients include the 17 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) elected from three multi-member electorates – Brindabella, Ginninderra and Molonglo, their staff and committee staff. The Library caters to the needs of a unicameral parliament responsible for the management of state/territory as well as local government responsibilities. The Library’s secondary client group includes staff of the ACT Public Service.

After the 2008 ACT Elections, a ACT Labor minority government was formed with support from the ACT Greens in exchange for several commitments and reforms to Legislative Assembly procedures outlined in a Parliamentary Agreement between the two parties.

Section 4.1 of this Agreement states:

“Ensure that resources for the Assembly Secretariat and the Assembly Library to facilitate assistance for Members are improved, and the Assembly Library to become part of the Legislative Assembly Secretariat, with its transfer to occur within six months of the first sitting of the Assembly. “

On 1 July 2009, the Legislative Assembly Secretariat assumed control of the Library which changed its name to ACT Legislative Assembly Library. The Library is integrated into the Hansard, Communications and Library section of the Secretariat and the Library reports to the Manager of that section.  A new position of Assembly Librarian was created. Staff of the ACT Public Service continue to use the Library’s information and reference service under the provision of a Service Level Agreement drawn up between the ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) and the Legislative Assembly.

Collection

The Library’s collection aims to
- maintain a comprehensive record of the activities of the ACT Legislative Assembly and the ACT Government  
- provide an archival record of the history, policies and administration of the government of the Australian Capital Territory
- facilitate government research and the decision making processes of its clients

Services

The range of library services offered include:

- a high quality reference and information service  provided by professionally qualified information specialists
- access to a specialised collection of government and ACT specific material
- access to collections outside the library through a documentary delivery service
- electronic media monitoring and distribution service of selected online radio and TV files only to MLAs and their staff
- current awareness service delivering online ACT and interstate press resources as well as journal table of contents tailored to the client’s information profile
- access to a range of electronic journals, databases and an online catalogue on the Library’s intranet

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday
8.30 am – 5.00pm
8.30 am – 6.00 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays of Sitting Weeks

Contact

Address: Level 2 Legislative Assembly Building, London Circuit CANBERRA 2600
Reference Desk: (02) 6205 0397
Email: ACTLALibrary@parliament.act.gov.au

 

>> return to top >>

AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY

The Australian Parliamentary Library’s services are established under the statutory office of the Parliamentary Librarian with the following functions :

(a)   to provide high quality information, analysis and advice to Senators and Members of the House of Representatives in support of their parliamentary and representational roles; and
(b)   to undertake such other responsibilities within the joint Department, consistent with the function set out in paragraph (a), as are conferred in writing on the Parliamentary Librarian by the Secretary of the joint Department with the approval of the Presiding Officers. (Parliamentary Service Act 1999 section 38B (1))

The Library’s primary clients include Senators and Members and their staff, and committee staff.  These clients entitled to use the full range of the Library’s services.  Other client groups include staff of the parliamentary departments and the Governor-General. Service entitlements for all clients are outlined in the Parliamentary Library Statement of Client Services.
The Parliamentary Library is composed of the Parliamentary Librarian and the employees of the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) assisting the Parliamentary Librarian.

The Parliamentary Library Executive comprises Ms Dianne Heriot, Parliamentary Librarian, Mr Jonathan Curtis, Assistant Secretary, Research Branch, and Ms Judy Hutchinson, Assistant Secretary, Information Access Branch.

The Library’s services are:
(a)      Research services. These services include responding to requests from individual parliamentary clients for information and research, and the production of general distribution briefs and publications; and
(b)      Information access services. Information services are provided to the Library’s clients by acquiring and providing access to information resources, through the selection, processing and indexing of material for library and media data bases in ParlInfo, and by publishing print and electronic works.

The Library’s online publications available through the Internet can be found at http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/index.htm

Databases available to the public can be found at http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/

Contact information: Central Enquiry Point phone (02) 6277 2500 or email libraryenquiries@aph.gov.au

>> return to top >>

NEW SOUTH WALES PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY

NSW Parliament Home Page - http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au

Mission:
To identify and fulfil the information needs of Members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Institution.
The Library's primary clientele are Members of Parliament, their staff, and the staff of the Parliament. Other, secondary, clients include former Members, Members of other parliaments and the press gallery. The Library's services are characterised as being timely, authoritative, personalised to meet Members' individual needs, objective, and politically neutral.

History:
The New South Wales Parliamentary Library is the oldest of Australia's parliamentary libraries, and is also one of the oldest official libraries in the country. Established by the administrative action of the Legislative Council in 1840, it became a Joint Parliamentary Library with the introduction of responsible government in 1856.

The collection has historical depths and riches in a number of areas, including a strong emphasis on official publications, as well as extensive legal resources. A growing emphasis on online resources increasingly frames the Library as a facilitator of end-user searching by clients from their desktops. Subsequently the Library plays an increasing role in user education and training, and in the delivery of information electronically to clients.

Structure:
The Library consists of three sections:

Reference and Information Services provides the services of professional librarians and support staff to deliver information to clients which is timely, accurate and impartial. Information inquiries are answered using an extensive collection of historic resources, print collections and online databases, and cooperation with other libraries and information networks. Reference and Information Services is also responsible for the building of databases and specialised information resources to meet the needs of Members. Other services include electronic media monitoring, the e-clips service and newspaper clippings.

The Library Research Service provides in-depth analysis and advice on legislation and major issues of public policy. The Research Officers have subject expertise in law, politics and government, environment and planning, economics and social issues. The service regularly produces Background Papers, Briefing Papers, Statistical Indicators, Electorate Profiles and E-Briefs on a variety of subject areas, in addition to carrying out individual research requests for Members of Parliament.

Technical Services is responsible for the selection, acquisition, cataloguing, processing and maintenance of an extensive collection of information resources, including books, serials and e-journals. Government Publications are a particular focus of the collection.

Opening hours

Non-sitting days: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sitting days: Opens 8:30am
Closes: Tues/Wed 7pm,  Thurs 6pm,  Fri 5pm

 >> return to top >>

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY

Background

Established in 1858, the Library was until 1 January 1987 called the General Assembly Library. Since 1 October 1985 it is part of the Parliamentary Service which is administered by the Parliamentary Service Commission, consisting of seven Members of Parliament chaired by the Speaker. The Commission is advised by a Library Committee of five members of Parliament, also chaired by the Speaker. The Parliamentary Librarian reports to the General Manager who is the Chief Executive of the Parliamentary Service.

Reference/Research Service

The reference service aims to supply reliable, accurate, impartial information within the Member's deadline. All enquiries are treated as confidential. A statistician provides statistics, analyses, graphs and advice on the validity and use of statistics. An economist provides information, background papers and advice on economics, trade and industry.

Bills Digest Service

The Bills Digest Service, started in 1993, provides all Members of Parliament with a concise summary and analysis of each Bill. Issued shortly after a Bills introduction, the digest contains the purpose background and main provisions. There may be notes on issues and implications arising, views of interested parties, and references to reading materials. It is also available on Kiwinet.

SDI

"PROFILE" is a selective dissemination of information service. Selected periodical articles, official publications, reports, documents and books are indexed, abstracted and stored in a database. Items corresponding with individual Members’ interest profiles are brought to their attention through periodic personalised bulletins. The system also generates a series of thirteen subject bulletins and a monthly PROFILE bulletin containing a selection of the items of greatest current interest.

Newspaper Index Database

The Reference Section's most frequently used tool is the Library's own newspaper index which is compiled daily by the Database Section. It currently indexes selected articles in the New Zealand Herald, Dominion, Evening Post, Press, Otago Daily Times and Sunday Star Times. Entries are on-line since January 1990 and on cards since 1949. The Library accesses this index, its own current catalogue and the PROFILE database through the Parliamentary computer system. Access to the newspaper index is available also to users outside the parliamentary complex via the National Library's Kiwinet system.

International Documents Collection

The International Documents Collection contains official and parliamentary publications from overseas countries and inter-governmental organisations. Access to this collection is not restricted and all who need to use it are encouraged to do so. Much material is available on interloan through other libraries.

Fax Administration: + 644 471 1250
Fax Reference:  + 644 817 9619
International Documents: + 644 471 2551

>> return to top >>

QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY

History

The Queensland Parliamentary Library was established in May 1860, in the first week of the Parliament’s existence.   The collecting policy was initiated by the first parliamentary Librarian, Colonel Charles Gray with a grant of 1000 Pounds from the Parliament.   This was followed by successive Librarians including Denis O’Donovan who was librarian form 1874 until his retirement in 1902.  His three volume catalogue of the collection is a significant pre-Dewey work and is till used to access the heritage collections which were closed in 1908.

 

Queensland was the first parliamentary library in Australasia to make use of computerised information storage and retrieval (1976).  It also pioneered the off-air recording and replay of current affairs video and radio programs (1977) as well as networked access (1979) and also making high quality video/radio on demand available to clients across a fibre optic network in 2000.

 

The Library’s Online Collections and Databases are now available 24/7 to registered clients anywhere there is an Internet connection.  Much of the collection is available digitally and the proportion is increasing every year. 

 

Legislative Context

 

The Parliamentary Service Act 1988 (Qld) in sections 23 (3)(a)(iii) and 24(1)(d) provides for the position of Parliamentary Librarian and also the provision of library and research facilities for members of the Legislative Assembly.

 

The Library is also a legal deposit library for all Queensland publications (hard copy and digital) under Part 8 of the Libraries Act 1988 ( Qld).

 

The Library is provided with certain copyright privileges for providing services to its Members of parliament through sections 48A and 104A , (amongst other provisions) of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth)

 

Mission

To identify and fulfil the information and research needs of Members of parliament , their staff and the Parliamentary Institution

 

Clients

The Parliamentary Library is the major independent source of information for Members of Parliament and other core clients. clients.   The Library is not open to the public although on individual request the resources can be made available to researchers etc.

 

The client groups include members, electorate officers, ministerial staff, Opposition staff, Parliamentary Service officers, staff of the Office for the Governor, other libraries and in particular parliamentary libraries , as well as former members of the Queensland parliament.

·           

Services

_{Research and information services for the Queensland Parliament and its Members}

•  Research (including analysis) and Information Services tailored to individual needs of Members' and their staff.
• Research Briefs for all Members backgrounding current Bills before the House, and on current issues of relevance to Queensland Members (available in both hard copy and electronic format according to preference).
• Media monitoring including newspapers, TV/Radio news and current affairs: capturing, recording and archiving on to Library Online Collections/Databases, and transmissions to clients via email Alerts for newsclips and for TV/Radio via VoD network (Parliament or Ministerial offices) or Research Databases (electorate offices).
• Maintenance of appropriate hard copy and digital collections and repositories (Library Online Collections/Databases), especially selected and retained to support the current and future information needs of Queensland Parliamentarians and the Queensland Parliament.
• 24 hour on-line access via the web to the comprehensive Library Online Collections/Databases.
• Alert E-mail Services to clients (subscriptions and individual requests) on a variety of electronic resources offered by the Library; daily, weekly and subject tailored.
• Training for all clients including Members, electorate officers and ministerial staff on how to access and use the Library Online Collections and all other Library services including the VoD system.
• General library services, loans (including inter-library loans) and reservations service.

 

Heritage Collections

• Management of the heritage collections of the Parliamentary Library, including the O’Donovan Collection, the Rare Book collection, the 20^th century heritage book collection and the 20^th century AV clip repository.  Activities are conducted  to highlight and promote the historical collections to the Queensland community, such as Open Days, special tours.  Where appropriate, access to the collections is given to external users.

Opening Hours

During parliamentary session weeks, the Library is open as follows.

 

Monday	8.30am to 5.00 pm
Tuesday-Thursday	8:30am to 8.00 pm (7pm on Thursdays)
Friday	9.00am to 5.00 pm

 

When Parliament is not sitting, the Library is open 9am to 5pm., Monday – Friday.

 

Collection Strengths

 

The Library is a “special” Special Library, with the emphasis on providing research and information services to a particular type of client – answering their specific questions on all sorts of topics.    The collections are basically to support the parliament and its members.  In common with other parliamentary libraries, “current information” is the bread and butter of our clients’ interests, so a large proportion of available resources are directed towards delivering up-to date information from electronic and print sources directly to clients in both their parliamentary and electorate offices.

 

As a consequence of this and the need for clients to be abreast of current issues at all times, media monitoring is well resourced, with TV and radio clips and online mainstream and Queensland regional news clips predominant on our Online Collections.

 

Within the Parliamentary complex, free-to-air TV news and radio news programs are captured through coordinated services offered by the Library AV staff and available immediately and streamed over the VoD network (Video and Radio on Demand).

 

The Library’s collections are very broad ranging (to do with any subject which may be the subject of legislation before the Parliament). 

 

The Library’s strengths are in its permanent collections of parliamentary and government documents and items to do with Queensland parliamentary and political history.  The Library maintains basic holdings on a broad range of areas of State responsibility including education, health, primary production, and the legal system as well as statistics, government and politics.  The Library does not have the resources to provide in-depth collections in these areas. 

 

O’Donovan Library: http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/view/historical/oDonovan.asp

 

In addition, the Library has custodianship of the heritage nineteenth century O’Donovan collection, named after a former Parliamentary Librarian who augmented this collection to the size it is today – 12000 monographs and over 32000 items including serials.   It is housed in the O’Donovan Library in Parliament House.  It is now classed as a heritage asset in the State of Queensland.  It is still used as a working collection. 

Activities are conducted to highlight and promote the historical collections to the Queensland community, such as Open Days, special tours.  Where appropriate, access to the collections is given to external users.

 

Group tours may be arranged by contacting the Librarian.

 

Parliamentary Librarian:  Ms Katherine Brennan

Address:  Queensland Parliamentary Library, Parliament House George Street, Brisbane 4000

Central Inquiry Point: +61734067219

Library.inquiries@parliament.qld.gov.au

Queensland Parliament Home Page - http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au

>> return to top >>

PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Staff of the Library comprise a division of the Joint Parliamentary Service. Library policy is determined by the Joint Parliamentary Service Committee and administered by the Parliamentary Librarian.

The principal objectives of the Library are:

* to develop systems of information delivery; and
* to provide confidential and impartial information and research services to Members of Parliament.

The services offered by the Library may be summarised as follows:

LIBRARY SERVICES, of a traditional kind, based on the collections, including:

* the acquisition;
* the cataloguing; and
* the circulation of documents.

The collections contain reference and background reading in a wide range of fields, especially politics, history, law and economics. There are major holdings of official publications. Suggestions for purchases are invited. The Library does not collect fiction.

The Library participates in inter-library lending and is a full member of the Australian Bibliographic Network.

INFORMATION SERVICES including:

* the supply of information on request through the Information Desk;
* the maintenance on a daily basis of files of newspaper clippings drawn from the metropolitan press and arranged under broad subject headings;
* the weekly issue of Current Reading, which provides summaries of topical articles extracted from recently acquired periodicals;
* the annotation of South Australian and Commonwealth statute and South Australian regulations; and
* access to online information services.

RESEARCH SERVICES, providing support to individual Members, involving staff with specialist backgrounds (law, economics, statistics, science) by way of:

* oral briefings;
* written reports (more usually); and
* information papers, given general distribution.

The Library is situated on two levels on the northern side of Parliament House. The main reading rooms are to be found on the ground floor conveniently close to the two chambers.

The opening hours of the Library are normally from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. On sitting days the Library remains open after 5pm so long as either House continues to sit (though with a break during the dinner adjournment). The Members Reading Room is open at all times.

>> return to top >>

TASMANIAN PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY AND RESEARCH SERVICES

 

In March 1852 a Select Committee of the Legislative Council (established in 1825) was appointed to manage the affairs of its Library. A Joint House Committee was formed in 1856 when bicameral Parliament was established. Permanent staff for the Library did not eventuate until 1883, when a Library Attendant was first appointed, although the Clerks continued to oversee the operations of the Library. This modest establishment continued up to the Second World War, despite burgeoning bookstocks, and inadequate housing for them. In 1940, following a major renovation of the Parliament, a new spacious room was set aside for the Library, and the following year the Librarian of the National Library in Canberra, Kenneth Binns, was requested to advise on Tasmanian library services, and specifically on improving the Parliamentary Library.
Binns recommended close co-operation with the State Library, and the provision by that organisation of a part-time trained officer who would also catalogue the collection. It was not until 1945 that the first appointee took up the post, and in 1948, following a decision to discard a considerable portion of the books, work began on a proper dictionary card catalogue. By 1962 the shelving capacity had been augmented, and Miss Eve Masterman, by now ostensibly a full time employee, was able to gain support for a part-time assistant. However on her retirement in 1967 there was still dispute over the need to continue with a Librarian. The Committee once again sought assistance from the National Library, and in 1970 the first fully qualified permanent appointment to the position of Librarian was made. By 1974 a post of Deputy Librarian was added and a newspaper clippings file was established. This was followed by the appointment of two assistants in 1975, and by 1985 the Library had embraced the new technology by engaging in television monitoring and use of PC's.
The 1990s have proved to be an era of political instability throughout Australia, ushered in by Tasmanian elections which gave the balance of power to Independents, intent on having adequate research and reference support. This resulted in a dramatic increase in the services provided by the Library, and the number of staff necessary to implement them.
In 2011 the Parliamentary Library became independent from the State Library and the staff transferred to employment by the Tasmanian Parliament under the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1898. The change allows collection development and service delivery to be focused on the strategic priorities and needs of the Parliament.
Today the 12 Library and PRS staff provide a wide range of library and resource services, including several unique services available only within the Parliamentary Library. Principle services to Members include:

·          High quality information, analysis and advice
·          Intermediary service (where client anonymity is desirable)
·          Electronic clippings from Tasmanian newspapers available on the intranet
·          Digital capture of television news broadcasts, radio programs and a transcription service providing typed transcripts on request.
The Library also has a range of information which it creates for Members, including ISYS software to index Hansard (full-text); Questions and adjournments by indexing Hansard, a Bills register indexing speeches and progress and a digital store of extrinsic material relating to bills.
Within the neutral environment of the Library, the Parliamentary Research Service exists to provide Members with value-added services involving interpretation and analysis. This research activity includes Issue Briefs, written for all Members as background papers; Research Notes, confidential personal research of a limited nature, and PRS Papers, which are longer research papers provided on request by Members. 
The Parliamentary Library has increased online information content and continues to explore opportunities as new technologies appear. The growing emphasis on the delivery of value-added, packaged information to Members has created an environment for the Parliamentary Library to develop new services and priorities in online formats. 
The Library is developing services that recognise the priority of information provision when required by a Member and where-ever the Member is at the time. 

In March 1852 a Select Committee of the Legislative Council (established in 1825) was appointed to manage the affairs of its Library. A Joint House Committee was formed in 1856 when bicameral Parliament was established. Permanent staff for the Library did not eventuate until 1883, when a Library Attendant was first appointed, although the Clerks continued to oversee the operations of the Library. This modest establishment continued up to the Second World War, despite burgeoning bookstocks, and inadequate housing for them. In 1940, following a major renovation of the Parliament, a new spacious room was set aside for the Library, and the following year the Librarian of the National Library in Canberra, Kenneth Binns, was requested to advise on Tasmanian library services, and specifically on improving the Parliamentary Library.

Binns recommended close co-operation with the State Library, and the provision by that organisation of a part-time trained officer who would also catalogue the collection. It was not until 1945 that the first appointee took up the post, and in 1948, following a decision to discard a considerable portion of the books, work began on a proper dictionary card catalogue. By 1962 the shelving capacity had been augmented, and Miss Eve Masterman, by now ostensibly a full time employee, was able to gain support for a part-time assistant. However on her retirement in 1967 there was still dispute over the need to continue with a Librarian. The Committee once again sought assistance from the National Library, and in 1970 the first fully qualified permanent appointment to the position of Librarian was made. By 1974 a post of Deputy Librarian was added and a newspaper clippings file was established. This was followed by the appointment of two assistants in 1975, and by 1985 the Library had embraced the new technology by engaging in television monitoring and use of PC's.

The 1990s have proved to be an era of political instability throughout Australia, ushered in by Tasmanian elections which gave the balance of power to Independents, intent on having adequate research and reference support. This resulted in a dramatic increase in the services provided by the Library, and the number of staff necessary to implement them.

In 2011 the Parliamentary Library became independent from the State Library and the staff transferred to employment by the Tasmanian Parliament under the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1898.  The change allows collection development and service delivery to be focused on the strategic priorities and needs of the Parliament.

Today the 12 Library and PRS staff provide a wide range of library and resource services, including several unique services available only within the Parliamentary Library. Principle services to Members include:

·          High quality information, analysis and advice
·          Intermediary service (where client anonymity is desirable)
·          Electronic clippings from Tasmanian newspapers available on the intranet
·          Digital capture of television news broadcasts, radio programs and a transcription service providing typed transcripts on request.

The Library also has a range of information which it creates for Members, including ISYS software to index Hansard (full-text); Questions and adjournments by indexing Hansard, a Bills register indexing speeches and progress and a digital store of extrinsic material relating to bills.
Within the neutral environment of the Library, the Parliamentary Research Service exists to provide Members with value-added services involving interpretation and analysis. This research activity includes Issue Briefs, written for all Members as background papers; Research Notes, confidential personal research of a limited nature, and PRS Papers, which are longer research papers provided on request by Members. 
The Parliamentary Library has increased online information content and continues to explore opportunities as new technologies appear. The growing emphasis on the delivery of value-added, packaged information to Members has created an environment for the Parliamentary Library to develop new services and priorities in online formats. 

The Library is developing services that recognise the priority of information provision when required by a Member and where-ever the Member is at the time. 

>> return to top >>

 VICTORIAN  PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY

 

Mission Statement:

The Victorian Parliamentary Library will enhance its status as an innovative, responsive and customer focused information resource providing impartial, high-quality and confidential information, analysis and advice to the Parliamentary community.

 

The Parliamentary Library provides timely, accurate, and confidential information to clients through its Reference Service and confidential briefings through the Research Service. Major publications containing original research are developed by the Research Service to support the activities of the legislature, including papers on upcoming bills, statistical surveys and briefing papers.

 

The Library’s Research Service also runs the Parliamentary Internship Program, which involves the coordination and placement of over 60 students with Members during the year, in collaboration with Monash University, Victoria University of Technology and the University of Melbourne. During the course of one semester, each third-year student produces a research report on an agreed topic for their Member of Parliament.

 

The Library meets the critical needs of Members to stay up-to-date with the latest developments by tailoring a range of media monitoring services and providing an expanding collection of digital and print resources. The Library's E-Services team ensures that information databases are developed and maintained to meet the evolving needs of Members and staff for easily accessible, current and relevant electronic information resources and services.

 

The Library also assists Members and staff to develop the knowledge and skills required to access, evaluate and use information effectively through its Client Support programs. Individual and group orientation and training sessions are conducted at Parliament House and in electorate offices throughout the State.

 

The Library assists with the organisation of Parliament’s publications and knowledge through the management of the intranet, a source of corporate and general information for staff and clients, which is accessible from electorate offices around Victoria and within the parliamentary precinct. The Library is also responsible for the management and preservation of the Parliament’s artworks.

 

The Library also plays a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of the Parliament of Victoria’s website, engaging with the broader community through the provision of key information on all aspects of the parliamentary system. The website can be accessed at http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au.

 

>> return to top >>

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY AND RESEARCH SERVICES

History

The Western Australian Parliamentary Library was first established as a joint Law Library under the Law and Parliamentary Library Act 1873. The joint library was physically separated in 1889 to form the Law Library under the control of the Judges of the Supreme Court and the Parliamentary Library to serve Members of the Legislature. Since then, the Library has grown into a sophisticated information service that provides a comprehensive library and information service to Members of the Western Australian Parliament.

Mission

The Parliamentary Library provides information services that are timely, effective and efficient, and functions as a central point for the collection, documentation, co-ordination and disseminiation of information to Members of Parliament.

Purpose

Resources and services offered by the Parliamentary Library are used by Members to prepare speeches, frame questions, prepare legislation, prepare media releases, contribute to party policies, for committee work and constituency work, etc.

General Information

The Library has been designed as a self-service information resource. Although that means we encourage our users to come into the Library, we also have a professionally staffed Reference Service that can be contacted by telephone, fax or e-mail. The Library databases can be accessed via the Parliament House network. Traditional library services, including relevant library collection, reference desk service, media monitoring - electronic and paper, information updating service keeps clients informed of selected new acquisitions and journal articles of interest through its current awareness service - e-currents. The Library staff can provide training in how to use the Library and its resources.

Opening Hours

Non-sitting weeks
# 8.30 am - 5.00 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

Sitting weeks
# 8.30 am - 5.00 pm Monday and Friday
# 8.30 am - 10.00 pm Tuesday
# 8.30 am - 7.00 pm Wednesday
# 8.30 am - 6.10 pm Thursday
# 8.30 am - 5.10 pm Friday

Web address: www.parliament.wa.gov.au.

>> return to top >>

 Parliamentary Librarians

Australia (Commonwealth)

Dr Dianne Heriot
Parliamentary Librarian
Parliamentary Library
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Phone: (02) 6277 7102
Fax: (02) 6277 2403
Email: dianne.heriot@aph.gov.au

>> return to top >>

New Zealand

Ms Barbara McPhee
Parliamentary Librarian
Parliament Buildings, Molesworth Street
Private Bag 18041
Wellington 6160
NEW ZEALAND

Phone: +64 4 817 9031
Fax: +64 4 817 9619
Email: barbara.mcphee@parliament.govt.nz

>> return to top >>

Australian Capital Territory

Ms Jan Bordoni
Assembly Librarian
ACT Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly Building
London Circuit
Canberra, ACT 2600

Phone: (02) 62050395
Fax: (02) 620 50392
Email: jan.bordoni@parliament.act.gov.au

 >> return to top >>

New South Wales

Annette McNicol
Parliamentary Librarian
Parliament House
SYDNEY NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 9230 2380
Fax: (02) 9231 1932
Email: annette.mcnicol@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Inquiries: library@parliament.nsw.gov.au

>> return to top >>

Northern Territory

Ms Di Sinclair
Manager Parliamentary Library Service
Northern Territory Library
Northern Territory Library & Information Service
GPO Box 42
DARWIN NT 0801

Phone: (08) 8999 7442
Fax: (08) 8999 6920
Email: di.sinclair@nt.gov.au

>> return to top >>

Queensland

Ms Katherine Brennan
Parliamentary Librarian
Parliament House
Brisbane Qld 4000

Phone: (07) 340 67280
Fax: (07) 321 00172
Email: katherine.brennan@parliament.qld.gov.au
Inquiries: library.inquiries@parliament.qld.gov.au

>> return to top >>

South Australia

Dr Coral Stanley
Parliamentary Librarian
South Australian Parliament Research Library
GPO Box 572
ADELAIDE S.A. 5001

Phone: (08) 8237 9405
Fax: (08) 8211 7672
Email: coral.stanley@parliament.sa.gov.au

>> return to top >>

Tasmania

Ms Juliet Webster
Parliamentary Librarian
Parliament House
HOBART TAS. 7000

Phone: (03) 6212 2240
Email: juliet.webster@parliament.tas.gov.au

>> return to top >>

Victoria

Ms Marion King
Parliamentary Librarian
Parliament House
MELBOURNE VIC. 3002

Phone: (03) 9651 8630
Fax: (03) 9650 9775
Email: marion.king@parliament.vic.gov.au

>> return to top >>

Western Australia

Judy Ballantyne
Parliamentary Librarian,
Library and Information Services Manager
Parliament House
PERTH W.A. 6000

Phone: (08) 9222 7256
Fax: (08) 9222 7859

Email: jballantyne@parliament.wa.gov.au
Inquiries: library@parliament.wa.gov.au

 

>> return to top >>