Libraries need friends

Abstract

During the last ten years the concept of free information services in Australian libraries has come increasingly under challenge. The author considers these challenges under the following headings: the user pays ethos, cost increases, informatics, special needs, entertainment, and leisure. More and more, libraries have to look to their own resources for funding additional to that provided by government. Not only can Friends organisations perform this vital fundraising role, they can also provide essential feedback to those charged with running the nation's libraries. It is not enough to depend on others: membership of Friends groups allow us to pay something back for the gift of civilisation libraries offer to us all. The paper formed the basis of Hon Justice Michael Kirby's address at the launch of Friends of Libraries Australia at the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, 9 December 1994.

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