Training news...
Up to date with ABS at Fairfield City Library
The LEP has been part of a Reference Training program at Fairfield City Library since November 2004. The program aims to increase staff skills with training in all aspects of reference services - including making best use of ABS information to assist library clients. Jennifer Wilson, Training and Development Librarian structured a week long intensive program for library staff. This included a half day training session from the NSW LEP Coordinator Anne Freer. Jennifer says that the LEP involvement in the training program has been very useful for library staff, and has increased their understanding of accessing and using ABS statistics.
A winter's day in Bendigo
On a crisp winter day in July Helen Leary (the Victorian LEP Coordinator) travelled to Bendigo for training at Goldfields Regional Library. Morning and afternoon sessions were attended by staff from across the branches and feedback was very positive.
Helen reports that there was a keen interest in CLIB to obtain population data for local and small areas, although in the past census geography caused a few problems. Vivien Newton, the Information and Education Services Manager at Goldfields said that learning more about the SLA Maps was invaluable. These give more detail on roads, rivers and other significant features than is available in the CLIB. The SLA Maps are particularly helpful when assisting with requests for information about other regions.
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Terrific in Tasmania
During Australian Library Week 2005, the State Library of Tasmania's Reference Service took the opportunity to promote the ABS. Staff are pictured here in front of the impressive ABS display which formed the centre piece of the promotion. To build on interest generated by the display, members of the public were able to book into Internet sessions with library staff to explore the ABS web site in greater depth with the guidance of an expert user.