Reference and Information Service Section Conference and Exhibition 6-8 September 1999, Sydney Hilton, Australia

A National Reference Service : New Opportunities.

The paper explores the need for a national, collaborative reference network in Australia that aims to deliver on demand, interactive services based on print and electronic resources. A model for how such a network might work, the practical issues to be resolved and a way forward will be presented. The paper is based on the recommendations of a major review of the National Library's reference services in late 1998 and on the outcomes of recent Library of Congress institutes on reference services in a digital age.

Beverley Forner, Director, Information Planning and Services, National Library of Australia