The Executive Committee wishes all Australian libraries a safe and festive holiday and looks forward to working with you in 2009.

Public Libraries, Regional and Local Community Infrastructure

More than 400 mayors and shire presidents recently made their way to the nation's capital to discuss issues of mutual concern to both local and federal government. The inaugural Australian Council of Local Government was held at Parliament House, Canberra, on 18 November 2008.

Of particular interest to public libraries, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced initial funding in the amount of $300 million for the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. This funding will, among other things, assist local governments in further developing social and cultural infrastructure, including libraries.

More information on the Australian Council of Local Government can be found at www.aclg.gov.au. You can read the media release regarding funding for the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program at http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2008/november/AA176_2008.htm.

2009 ERA Members Forum

Wendy Quihamption is our confirmed guest speaker at the 2009 ERA Member Forum.

Wendy is the Program Manager, of the Re-imagining Library Services work currently underway within the National & State Libraries Australasia member institutions. Projects 1. 'Do it now!', 2. 'Open Borders', 3. 'Virtual Reference' and 10. 'Connecting and discovering content' all have good tie-ins with ERA and the future directions for Australian library services. Learn more about the 'Re-imagining' projects from www.nsla.org.au/projects/re-imaginingLibraryServices.shtml.

Online registration for the 2009 ERA Member Forum will be available soon.

NOTE* The list of ERA participating libraries is prepared on the basis of advice provided by vendors and we're always glad of any corrections, comments or advice direct from members. Members can also flag their participation in ERA within their directory entry of the Australian Libraries Gateway (ALG) - use the 'Related organisations' update form and select 'ERA' under 'Memberships'.

Calendar year subscriptions

1 January 2009 heralds the start of the first 1 January - 31 December subscriptions for ERA subscriptions.

Realising that calendar year billing cycles suit the public and academic library sectors better, from 2009, participating libraries can opt for subscriptions to any of the e-resources on the ERA Product List on a calendar or Australian financial year (1 July - 31 June) cycle.

Subscription prices - per sector, according to indicative library pick-up via the annual online product polls - are confirmed each year on 1 July.

For those libraries wishing to take ERA subscriptions for the 1 January - 31 December 2009 period, the prices confirmed on 1 July 2008 apply (pro-rated if necessary). For those libraries wishing to take subscriptions for the coming financial year (ie 1 July 2009 - 31 June 2010), the prices confirmed on 1 July 2009 will be applicable.

Contact the participating ERA vendors for more details and to discuss options to pro-rata existing subscriptions to an alternative billing cycle.

Key dates to remember

2009

• 1 January - ERA subscription cycle to 31 December 2009 commences
• 20-22 January - ALIA Information Online 2009 14th conference and exhibition at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre
• 25 March - ERA Members Forum at the National Library of Australia (Canberra)
• April - 2009 ERA Product Poll to establish prices for subscriptions commencing at any time in 2009