Indicator Rationale

Access to information allows residents, students and sector interests to address their information and resource needs. Libraries are traditional resource centres and provide internet access and digital resources as well as oral and written books.  With the introduction of the internet into many Australian homes, access to information is instantaneous.  Search engines are able to sort through vast electronic resources in a fraction of a second.  Information is vital to the building of strong knowledge economies. This indicator is also about having the resources to participate fully in the community and decision making.

Data Source 

Annual Survey Public Library Services in Victoria 2004- 05, Department of Victoria Communities (DVC).

Measures 

Percentage of persons with a library membership, calculated from registered library users as a percentage of the population.

The population figures used in each Annual Survey is the Estimated Residential Population (ERP) as provided by the ABS. In the 2004/05 Annual Survey, the ERP for June 2004 is used, this being the population at the beginning of the year in which services were being provided (For further inquiry, please refer to the Annual Survey Public Library Services in Victoria 2004-05, Department of Victorian Communities).

References

To be confirmed.