Enabling the information commons Fiona Bradley SBS Radio Resource Centre

Training The information commons Future Holistic information commons Collaboration Integrated IT & Reference Physical Current Lobbying & advocacy Collabor- ation Virtual Open Access Community building Value hierarchies

University of Otago, New Zealand

Hardin Library, University of Iowa

Why the information commons? Information access issues will be a major priority for library associations over the next few years ALIA, ALA, IFLA and other library organisations have made commitments to developing advocacy programs and exploring access issues in partnership with other organisations

Why the information commons? To address changes in the way people access and use information A response to the need for community building in the library To bring focus to the issues of access, legislation, licensing, cost Information commons are an innovation in service delivery To establish client-focused services that are adaptable to the future

The information commons – Issues Cost & fundingMaintenance Physical AccessLicensingLegislation Training Cost Virtual Access to scholarly information

Enabling the information commons For libraries and librarians: –Catalogue and promote information published with alternative licenses, eg Open Access –Gain license negotiation skills –Develop websites that match the function and goals of the information commons –Is an information commons appropriate for your library? Involve the patrons and community in planning and decisions

Enabling the information commons For the library and information sector: –Larger role in advocacy and lobbying for libraries and information access –Partner with information access initiatives –Re-examine value hierarchies –Investigate the role of public libraries as scholarly information providers –Support libraries that take on new roles

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