ALIA submission to Inquiry into the effects of the ongoing efficiency dividend on smaller public sector agencies, July 2008

This submission from the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) discusses the immense and valuable contribution that the National Library of Australia (NLA) provides to all Australians. The NLA plays a pivotal and crucial role in the intellectual life of Australia. This role has a direct effect on the economic prosperity and social health of Australia, as well as on the continuing vitality of Australia’s culture and heritage. The value of the National Library and its collections, most especially as a legal deposit collection, is absolutely vital to our democracy.
 
ALIA strongly advocates that the NLA be exempted from the efficiency dividend so that the National Library’s capacity to perform its core functions and to provide leadership in the digital economy is not diminished. The NLA plays a crucial role in promoting the free flow of information and ideas in the interest of all Australians and a thriving culture, economy and democracy.