Infrastructure (Economics)

This joint submission from the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and Public Libraries Australia addresses the following Summit topics:

• Economic infrastructure, the digital economy and the future of our cities
• Future directions for rural industries and rural communities
• Towards a creative Australia: the future of the arts, film and design

This submission from the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) discusses how investment in libraries can be expected to generate economic as well as social, cultural and environmental benefits. Libraries sustain the community in social, cultural and environmental terms and contribute positively in terms of economic value, benefit and activity. ALIA advocates the development of an informed society that can partake and participate in skilled decision-making.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes the inclusion of education, arts and culture in the review of Social Infrastructure and the recognition of the vital role of libraries and other cultural institutions in supporting the quality of life, education, health and wellbeing of communities.