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New Hours, Technology Increase Access to State Library

From the Minister for Arts, Media Release, Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Opening on public holidays, more digital resources, a new online service and travelling exhibitions will allow Victorians greater access to the State Library of Victoria's unique collections.

The Minister for the Arts Mary Delahunty today announced the Sate Library of Victoria would now be open from 10am to 6pm on public holidays, except Christmas Day and Good Friday.

"Victorians can now visit the Library and use its collections almost every day of the year.

"This is one of several steps to make all the information contained in the Library more accessible to Victorians," Ms Delahunty said.

Ms Delahunty said the State Library of Victoria had also embarked on an ambitious program to make its collections available electronically, thanks to the Bracks Government's $25 million boost to ensure the Library keeps up with technology of the 21st century.

"As part of the slv21 initiative, the State Library has also started to digitise hundreds of thousands of items from its unique Victorian collections."

"So far, more than 200,000 images from its picture collection are available digitally as well as 400 key maps and town plans of Melbourne and surrounding suburbs, Ned Kelly's famous Jerilderie Letter and much, much more," she said.

Ms Delahunty said the State Library of Victoria had recently launched its online@home initiative which allows registered users free access to an incredible array of online information.

"As well as the Victorian collection, uses can access reviews, extracts and summaries of more than 550,000 books, facts on famous figures through history, and the complete collection of six major US newspapers and the London Times for the past 200 years.

"Our Library's treasures are here for all Victorians whether people want to visit our magnificent Library use the online services to access the digital archives.

"The public can also attend one of the Library's popular Travelling Treasures program in regional Victoria and suburban Melbourne, thanks to the travelling outreach program," she said.

The President of the Library Board of Victoria, John Cain, said the combination of online initiatives, increased opening days and Library outreach programs meant that more Victorian's could access ‘more Library information, from more locations.'

"Using new technologies, new ideas and initiatives, the State Library of Victoria will continue to make more of its ever-expanding collections available to all Victorians, and provide information, ideas and inspiration for everyone," Mr Cain said.

More information on these initiatives and the State Library is available at http://www.slv.vic.gov.au

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