ACT Legislative Assembly Library

ACT Legislative Assembly Home Page: http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/

Introduction

The role of the Library is to identify and meet the information needs of Members and staff of the Legislative Assembly for the ACT and staff of the ACT Public Service.

History

Until 1989, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) was managed by the Federal Minister responsible for Territories. The Library’s collection hence has been built over many years as a Commonwealth Government Departmental library. Its previous titles include Department of the Interior, Department of the Capital Territory, Department of Territories and ACT Administration.

Following the passing of the Australian Capital Territory (Self-government) Act 1988 along with other related legislation setting up self-government for the Australian Capital Territory, the first ACT Legislative Assembly was elected and had its first meeting in May 1989.
The Library took on the name of The ACT Government and Assembly Library. In 1994, the Assembly together with the Library relocated to its current premises, the Legislative Assembly Building.

Until recently, the Library was part of the ACT Library and Information Services (ACTLIS) and was funded by, managed by and reported to the ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS). As part of ACTLIS, the Library provided specialist library services to two major client groups. Its primary clients include the 17 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) elected from three multi-member electorates – Brindabella, Ginninderra and Molonglo, their staff and committee staff. The Library caters to the needs of a unicameral parliament responsible for the management of state/territory as well as local government responsibilities. The Library’s secondary client group includes staff of the ACT Public Service.

After the 2008 ACT Elections, a ACT Labor minority government was formed with support from the ACT Greens in exchange for several commitments and reforms to Legislative Assembly procedures outlined in a Parliamentary Agreement between the two parties.

Section 4.1 of this Agreement states:

“Ensure that resources for the Assembly Secretariat and the Assembly Library to facilitate assistance for Members are improved, and the Assembly Library to become part of the Legislative Assembly Secretariat, with its transfer to occur within six months of the first sitting of the Assembly. “

On 1 July 2009, the Legislative Assembly Secretariat assumed control of the Library which changed its name to ACT Legislative Assembly Library. The Library is integrated into the Hansard, Communications and Library section of the Secretariat and the Library reports to the Manager of that section. A new position of Assembly Librarian was created. Staff of the ACT Public Service continue to use the Library’s information and reference service under the provision of a Service Level Agreement drawn up between the ACT Department of Territory and Municipal Services (TAMS) and the Legislative Assembly.

Collection

The Library’s collection aims to
– maintain a comprehensive record of the activities of the ACT Legislative Assembly and the ACT Government
– provide an archival record of the history, policies and administration of the government of the Australian Capital Territory
– facilitate government research and the decision making processes of its clients

Services

The range of library services offered include:

– a high quality reference and information service provided by professionally qualified information specialists
– access to a specialised collection of government and ACT specific material
– access to collections outside the library through a documentary delivery service
– electronic media monitoring and distribution service of selected online radio and TV files only to MLAs and their staff
– current awareness service delivering online ACT and interstate press resources as well as journal table of contents tailored to the client’s information profile
– access to a range of electronic journals, databases and an online catalogue on the Library’s intranet

Opening Hours

Monday – Friday
8.30 am – 5.00pm

Contact

Address: Level 2 Legislative Assembly Building, London Circuit CANBERRA 2600
Reference Desk: (02) 6205 0397
Email: LALibrary@parliament.act.gov.au

Assembly Librarian

Ms Jennifer Carmody
ACT Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly Building
London Circuit
Canberra, ACT 2600

Phone: (02) 6205 0391
Fax: (02) 6205 0392
Email: Jennifer.carmody@parliament.act.gov.au