Australia's step in a digital direction...

So the national and state libraries in Australia have endorsed the following principles to address the challenges facing the "new library universe":

Reshaping our collections
1 Resources in electronic format will be acquired in preference to print, where available. Collection development policies should reflect this preference.
2 NSLA recognises that commitment to consortium purchasing of electronic resources provides greater purchasing power, and therefore increased access, for all. NSLA libraries should consider consortium purchasing of electronic resources wherever practicable.
3 Hard-copy serial holdings will continue to be minimised.
4 The key acquisition and cataloguing responsibility and priority for each NSLA library is the unique and heritage materials relating to that jurisdiction. These materials might be in any format.

Finding our collections
5 Cataloguing of other collections will be minimal, within accepted standards.
6 NSLA libraries will work towards all collection holdings being visible through Libraries Australia or LibrariesNZ.

Delivering our collections
7 The key digitising priority for each NSLA library is the unique and heritage materials relating to that jurisdiction.
8 Interlending and online document delivery will be used for low-use items in preference to duplicate purchasing,
unless the item has significance for the local or distributed national collection.
9 Interlending and online document delivery services should aim to maximise access, to eliminate user charges
and to automate processes to increase efficiency.

Collecting and preserving our digital heritage
10 NSLA libraries support the development of a national infrastructure of trusted digital repositories as crucial to preserving our digital heritage.

Expanding user expectations
11 Mediated online information services will be expanded and strengthened.
12 NSLA libraries will provide and maintain digital space for community creativity and contributions.

From "The Big Bang: Creating the new library universe: Encouraging flexibility, rapid response and innovation within the library sector," a NSLA (National & State Libraries Australasia) 2007–09 report.

Woah. Pretty bold. I like their style. "Go big or go home."