Library deal gives free online access to journals and magazines

11.45am

A new library deal will give New Zealanders free access to thousands of online magazines, journals and databases, until now only available to paid subscribers.

New Zealand's local libraries have joined forces to buy electronic information previously only bigger public or tertiary libraries could afford.

From March 4, the deal allows anyone to access the information through their local or school library after the Ministry of Education paid for all primary to secondary schools to join the library group.

"This initiative demonstrates the commitment of librarians to deliver the broadest range of information possible to their communities -- however isolated or small," Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) president Mirla Edmundson said.

The resources, provided by vendors Gale and EBSCO, will allow library users to access magazines, journals, reference books, historical documents, biographies, maps, photos and graphics as well as a range of reference databases including one providing comparative data on international companies. It will also hold resources specifically compiled for school students.

"It will truly impact on the lives of all New Zealanders," Ms Edmundson said.

Library users will be able to access the resources from home or work through library websites as well as at their local participating library.

- NZPA