Redefining the Role of Library & Information Technicians in a Free Statistics on the Web Environment
Like many other national statistical offices, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has positioned itself to use the internet as the principal channel for data communication. There are a number of strategies in place to fulfil the ABS goal of web publishing. These are:
- improving communication of statistics to facilitate user discovery of information and assessment of its fitness-for-purpose;
- broadcasting and proactive dissemination of information such as through Real Simple Syndication and email notification;
- improving self help; and
- writing once/publishing many times to improve the efficiency and consistency of released information.
Coupled with the above ePublishing vision, in December 2005, to celebrate the centenary of the ABS, all data available on the ABS website (www.abs.gov.au) became freely available to website visitors.
Removing the barrier of cost, greatly enhancing web-based options to access data, and the increasing emphasis of the ABS on improving statistical literacy amongst the Australian community, has led to new opportunities for librarians and information technicians to assist their clients better understand the full range of options available from the ABS.
To support those whose role is to assist their clientele understand what is available and how to effectively access it, the ABS Library and Information Services has in place a national program (known as the Information Skills Program, or ISP). The ISP provides training and support to libraries on how to navigate the ABS website, with a current emphasis on the new output formats for Census data. The 5-yearly Census of Population and Housing is one of the nation's most powerful small area social datasets, and is widely used by all levels of the community for planning and decision-making purposes.
The ABS will conduct an ISP session for Conference attendees to enable a better understanding of this important initiative, and provide a practical insight into the enhancements to the website, including the substantial changes to Census output that are occurring. Integrated with the ISP presentation will be an exploration of the session's theme on how library staff can add value for their clients in an ever expanding and evolving ePublishing and FSOW environment.