Indigenous Knowledge Centre


There are two library services operating in Australia that have adopted the appellation "Knowledge Centre" in relation to the delivery of library services for Indigenous clients. The Northern Territory Library first developed the Indigenous Knowledge Centre model of service and later changed this to "Library and Knowledge Centre". The State Library of Queensland continues to use the title Indigenous Knowledge Centre.

State Library of Queensland

The State Library of Queensland assists local government to establish Indigenous Knowledge Centres. These serve as information hubs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout Queensland. The State Library of Queensland's IKCs provide the services of a local library, act as a meeting place and provide a safe place to keep important artefacts, artworks and other information within the community. Many IKCs provide public Internet access to their communities.

Northern Territory Library

The Northern Territory Library runs a similar service to its communities under the title of Libraries and Knowledge Centres. In 2007, this program was awarded the Bill and Melinda Gates Access to Learning Award for its innovative use of digital technology in the remote Australian Indigenous community context.
The Northern Territory Library is contributing significant funds to the development of the next generation of Indigenous collection management software.