The National Library is now 'open all hours'

MEDIA RELEASE
February 4 2008

The National Library is now 'open all hours'

Treasures that lie within the National Library of New Zealand and libraries nationwide are now available for online discovery, any time of the day or night, with the launch of the Publications NZ website.

http://publicationsnz.natlib.govt.nz/ is a bibliographic database of our nation's publishing and creative content. It offers information about publications in formats that include:

· Books, journals and magazines;
· Sound recordings, music, audio books and printed music;
· Films;
· Maps;
· CD-ROMS and other electronic publications.

Its powerful search engine affords instant gratification. Seeking an example of the late poet Hone Tuwhare's early work? Log in to http://publicationsnz.natlib.govt.nz/ and discover within seconds which of the libraries closest to you holds a copy of his first published collection, No Ordinary Sun. Whether it is material produced by New Zealanders or that with a significant level of New Zealand content, the details – title, author, publisher, availability - are all there online.

The creation of the website supports the New Zealand Digital Content Strategy's aim to connect Kiwis with information important to their lives, says National Library Chief Executive and National Librarian Penny Carnaby.

"The National Library is determined to expand access to a wide range of information to meet the changing needs of New Zealanders. The Publications NZ website aims to meet the needs of a broad range of users."

As well as promoting the holdings of libraries nationwide, the site's benefits include:

· Providing librarians and researchers with information vital to their work;
· Offering visitors value-added information such as links to local libraries;
· Displaying the richness of New Zealand publishing and increasing the awareness of homegrown authors, musicians and film-makers.

"This is a valuable addition to the National Library's comprehensive stable of online resources that showcase information from and about New Zealand to our nation and the world," says Ms Carnaby.

The bilingual feature allows users to display navigation options and static text content in either Maori or English.

http://publicationsnz.natlib.govt.nz/

ENDS

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