This paper will be presented at ALIA 2004 Biennial Conference, September 21-24 2004, Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. For more information about the conference, visit the ALIA2004 site.

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Enabling the information commons

Why the information commons?
Information access issues will be a major priority for library associations over the next few years
ALIA, ALA, IFLA and other library organisations have made commitments to developing advocacy programs and exploring access issues in partnership with other organisations
Why the information commons?
To address changes in the way people access and use information
A response to the need for community building in the library
To bring focus to the issues of access, legislation, licensing, cost
Information commons are an innovation in service delivery
To establish client-focused services that are adaptable to the future
For libraries and librarians:
Catalogue and promote information published with alternative licenses, eg Open Access
Gain license negotiation skills
Develop websites that match the function and goals of the information commons
Is an information commons appropriate for your library? Involve the patrons and community in planning and decisions
For the library and information sector:
Larger role in advocacy and lobbying for libraries and information access
Partner with information access initiatives
Re-examine value hierarchies
Investigate the role of public libraries as scholarly information providers
Support libraries that take on new roles