It is a subscription-based service, via Libraries Australia, for librarians, used for reference, collection development, cataloguing and inter-library loans.
[3] The Australian Bibliographic Network (ABN) commenced operations on 2 November 1981,[1][3][4][5][6] with six participating libraries, which all contributed cataloguing records.
[12] The ABN system was as a multi-sector network, including university, state, public and special libraries.
The issues dealt with in the first four meetings included:[5] Once standards were established, a range of guidelines and publications ensued [18][19][20] In 1990, the ABN created an inter-library lending service.
[1] After a two-year project to redevelop Kinetica, the software used for searching and cataloguing was replaced, and a new administration system was created in November 2005.
The new service was branded Libraries Australia, consisting of four components: Search, Cataloguing, Administration and Document Delivery.
[21] In addition, the Chinese, Korean and Japanese Database (CJK) merged with Libraries Australia, and in the following year, a free search became publicly available.
It contains millions of entries for books, journals and items in formats other than text, such as films, sound recordings, photographs, braille and audiobooks, music scores, computer files and digital material.