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Effectiveness

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Comments on PerformanceEffectiveness
The target for usage of resource-sharing services was exceeded, with
91 per cent of key research libraries using and contributing records to the
National Bibliographic Database.
Quality
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Comments on PerformanceQuality
Both quality targets were exceeded.
Quantity

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Comments on PerformanceQuantity
The number of searches/user sessions recorded on resource-sharing
databases was 4 per cent below target. Resource-sharing databases include:
Kinetica; the
National Chinese, Japanese and Korean
Service; the Australian Libraries Gateway; the
Australian Interlibrary
Resource Sharing Directory;
PictureAustralia; and the
Oral History
Directory. There is an ongoing program to promote the resource-sharing
databases in order to achieve the highest possible use of these services.
The number of searches carried out on
Kinetica has
declined over recent years, as Australian libraries have reduced their level of
collecting. However, Kinetica remains a heavily used service with almost 6
million searches undertaken this year.
Price

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Key Issues/Developments
Resource-sharing services
The
National Bibliographic Database, offered through the
Kinetica service,
remains the key bibliographic support service within the Australian library
sector. Coverage of the
National Bibliographic Database was significantly extended
with 1.6 million new Australian library holdings recorded this year, taking the
total to 35 million collection items recorded on the database. The growth in
the National Bibliographic Database indicates the continuing
commitment by Australian libraries to resource sharing.
This year, several initiatives were commenced to improve the quality
of the National Bibliographic Database. This activity is aimed at
improving the accuracy of data about collection items held in Australian
libraries.
The
National Bibliographic Database is complemented by the more
specialised National Chinese, Japanese
and Korean Service which provides information on collections held in
Australian libraries in these languages. Recommendations from a 2001 review of
this service were implemented this year, with significant performance
improvements achieved through the implementation of new software.
Kinetica software
This year a new
Kinetica search
interface was implemented based on recommendations from a customer advisory
group. Benefits include: a simplified search screen; an advanced search
function; improved accessibility for sight-impaired users; ability to save
queries beyond the current session; and a range of other interface
improvements.
An important development was the implementation of a Web input
function that enables users to input brief bibliographic records more
efficiently than was previously possible. This improved functionality has
enabled a larger number of smaller libraries to add new records to the
National Bibliographic Database and has quickly become a
heavily used function.
PictureAustralia
Participation in the
PictureAustralia
service, which provides over 600 000 pictorial images on the Web relating
to Australia, continued to grow with the addition of image collections from
Museum Victoria, the Campbelltown City Library (in collaboration with the
Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society), the ACT Heritage Library, the
Northern Territory Library and Information Service, and the National Gallery of
Australia. These collections enhance the geographic and subject coverage of the
service. There are now 18 participating organisations, with several other
organisations scheduled to join the service next year.
In addition to the Australian participant organisations, the National
Library of New Zealand, and the Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network
became overseas contributors of Australian image content.
Use of PictureAustralia grew by 28 per cent this year, with
approximately 372 000 user sessions recorded. The service records a wide range
of users across Australia and is increasingly being accessed by overseas users
seeking images of Australia.
Kinetica customer patterns
The number of Australian libraries using
Kinetica remained
stable this year. Many smaller libraries expressed interest in forming
consortia for the purpose of subscribing to the
Kinetica service.
The Country Public Libraries Association (NSW) initiated discussions concerning
a consortium contract, and TAFE libraries in NSW negotiated site licence
contracts this year. It is expected that new consortium arrangements will be
organised in future years. These arrangements have the advantage of lowering
the cost of participating in the
Kinetica
service.
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