The Network was established after it was recognised that there was a need for a support and information network for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people working in libraries and for those people servicing the information needs of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia are diverse in their cultures, histories and languages, and so their information requirements are equally diverse. Australia has over 200 distinct Aboriginal groups, plus the peoples of the Torres Strait; of these groups there are approximately 100 languages still spoken. There is also an increase in Indigenous authors writing not only in English but also in their own languages, such as Pitjantjatjara, Yolngu, Aranda, and many others. The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander cultures are strong within themselves, but trying to make our way through the library and archival worlds has been found by us to be difficult, not only for those Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples working in the field but also for those using information services.

Therefore, a need was seen to not only support and inform those working in the field, but also to improve the way librarians, archivists and other information professionals perceive the information needs of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Browse through our site if you would like to know more about ATSILIRN and its services.