Virtual libraries - long overdue: the Digital Agenda Act and Australian libraries

Pascoe, Richard Black, Hilary May

Australian Library Journal 2001 50 (2)1233
(ReLIS:jul:juljuh:y:2001:v:50:i:2:p:1233)

Abstract:

'Here, then, is the point at which I see the new mission of the librarian rise up incomparably higher than all those preceding. Up until the present, the librarian has been principally occupied with the book as a thing, as a material object. From now on he must give his attention to the book as a living function. He must become a policeman, master of the raging book.' [A translation of Ortega y Gasset's address to the International Congress of Bibliographers and Librarians in Paris in 1934.] Jose Ortega y Gasset (1883-1955) After over seven years of discussions, consultation and debate the Copyright Amendment (Digital Agenda) Act 2000 (the Digital Agenda Act) was passed through the House of Representatives and Senate on 17 August 2000. Following a transition period it came into force on 4 March 2001. At the heart of the debate concerning the Act has been the traditional concern of copyright law -- how to balance the needs of copyright users and the rights of the creators of copyright material. Librarians have been at the forefront of user groups concerned about the potential impact of the Act on their clients and operations. This article focuses on the likely impact of the Act on Australian libraries in the digital age.

Keywords: Bibliotecas digitales ; Australia
Pages: 1233
Volume: 50
Year: 2001
Issue: 2

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