C2003-29 Agency Participation In The Government Online Bookshop

The Government is committed to improving service delivery to the public through whole of government initiatives under its electronic service delivery program. One of these initiatives is the on-line bookshop at www.bookshop.nsw.gov.au, called 'bookshop.nsw'.

The bookshop.nsw centralised catalogue provides a 'one stop shop' for members of the public to obtain NSW Government publications. It enables them to locate publications without having to know the publishing agency and find publications on related subjects from different agencies. It is also brings significant whole of government benefits through the sharing of infrastructure, avoiding duplication of facilities and establishment costs, and bringing NSW Government publications to a wider audience.

The goal of this bookshop is that its catalogue includes all publications produced by the NSW Government.

bookshop.nsw distributes payments and sales orders to the publishing agencies for fulfillment. The catalogue also lists 'no cost' publications, whether in paper or electronic form. Links are provided to electronic publications so that they can be downloaded by customers.

bookshop.nsw provides an easy and cost-effective way for agencies to market their publications online. The success of the bookshop will depend on all participating agencies maintaining their publications list in the catalogue and fulfilling orders promptly.

To ensure that bookshop.nsw provides a comprehensive collection of NSW Government publications, all agencies are to list their current 'in-print' publications in its catalogue. No other on-line bookshops are to be established by agencies. Where agencies believe their publications are not suitable for inclusion in the bookshop.nsw catalogue, they are to discuss the matter with the Office of Information Technology.

Agencies that have not already joined should contact the Office of Information Technology in the Department of Commerce.

C Gellatly
Director-General