❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding music loans and collection priorities at the Battye Library. The answer provides loan statistics, explains resource allocation for WA music, and clarifies the library's collection of non-WA music.
AnsweredQoN 1597Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) For each of the following years, can the Minister advise how many music scores, music books and/or recordings have been loaned to the Western Australian public by the Battye Library: (a) 2003; (b) 2004; (c) 2005; (d) 2006; (e) 2007; (f) 2008; (g) 2009; (h) 2010; (i) 2011; (j) 2012; and (k) 2013 to date? (2) How the Battye Library Board prioritises resources for collection, preservation and public access of Western Australian music? (3) How does the Battye Library Board justify not collecting non-Western Australian music?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 February 2014
Responded by
Minister for Culture and the Arts
Response time
76 days
State Library of Western Australia
(1) Figures for the loan of books on music are not available as they are not collected on a subject basis. Loan statistics for music scores and music recordings are reported on a financial year basis and are as follows:
(a) 2002/03: 30,913
(b) 2003/04: 28,135
(c) 2004/05: 27,866
(d) 2005/06: 25,929
(e) 2006/07: 20,773
(f) 2007/08: 19,246
(g) 2008/09: 17,921
(h) 2009/10: 18,669
(i) 2010/11: 16,274
(j) 2011/12: 10,829
(k) 2012/13: 5,385
2013/14 (as at 31 December 2014): 3,685
The decrease in loans is a result of changing technology. The State Library now subscribes to databases which allow people to login from home and listen to live streaming of music.
(2) The Library Board places a high priority on the allocation of resources for the collection, preservation and provision of access to Western Australian music. This is outlined in the State Library's Collection Development Policy and Framework, and the strategic outcome to "Treasure the Stories of Western Australia". The Library has a strong Western Australian music collection, and the ability to collect Western Australian music was recently strengthened with the passing of regulations for the
Legal Deposit Act 2012
. This expands the Library's collecting ability to sound recordings and film as well as sheet music. The Library is also working with Edith Cowan University through an Australian Research Council (ARC) project to establish the Western Australian New Music Archive: a database of Western Australian music composed from 1970 to the present day.
(3) The State Library houses an extensive collection of non-Western Australian music resources, including over 55,000 print music scores and sheet music, and over 13,000 sound recordings. This is complemented by more than 10 electronic databases specific to non-Western Australian music. Due to a sustained decrease in usage due to changes in technology, and the already strong music collection which does not date, the priority for the allocation of resources has been directed to the collection, preservation and access of Western Australian music in line with the Library's strategic focus.
(1) Figures for the loan of books on music are not available as they are not collected on a subject basis. Loan statistics for music scores and music recordings are reported on a financial year basis and are as follows:
(a) 2002/03: 30,913
(b) 2003/04: 28,135
(c) 2004/05: 27,866
(d) 2005/06: 25,929
(e) 2006/07: 20,773
(f) 2007/08: 19,246
(g) 2008/09: 17,921
(h) 2009/10: 18,669
(i) 2010/11: 16,274
(j) 2011/12: 10,829
(k) 2012/13: 5,385
2013/14 (as at 31 December 2014): 3,685
The decrease in loans is a result of changing technology. The State Library now subscribes to databases which allow people to login from home and listen to live streaming of music.
(2) The Library Board places a high priority on the allocation of resources for the collection, preservation and provision of access to Western Australian music. This is outlined in the State Library's Collection Development Policy and Framework, and the strategic outcome to "Treasure the Stories of Western Australia". The Library has a strong Western Australian music collection, and the ability to collect Western Australian music was recently strengthened with the passing of regulations for the
Legal Deposit Act 2012
. This expands the Library's collecting ability to sound recordings and film as well as sheet music. The Library is also working with Edith Cowan University through an Australian Research Council (ARC) project to establish the Western Australian New Music Archive: a database of Western Australian music composed from 1970 to the present day.
(3) The State Library houses an extensive collection of non-Western Australian music resources, including over 55,000 print music scores and sheet music, and over 13,000 sound recordings. This is complemented by more than 10 electronic databases specific to non-Western Australian music. Due to a sustained decrease in usage due to changes in technology, and the already strong music collection which does not date, the priority for the allocation of resources has been directed to the collection, preservation and access of Western Australian music in line with the Library's strategic focus.
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