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The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Schools and the Victorian Catholic Teacher Librarians (VCTL) make available to school communities 'A Manual for Developing Policies and Procedures in Australian School Library Resource Centres'. It is the result of a joint working party and has been published to support the professional practice of staff in school libraries.
 
This manual sets out how to develop the policies and document the procedures that are essential for exemplary library management practices. The implementation of these policies and procedures aims to ensure equitable access to resources for all in the school community. A school library that is well managed is in the best possible position to offer the range of library programs and services that are essential to support the school’s student learning goals.

ALIA National 2022 Conference, 16 May - 19 May 2022 Canberra: Diversity
 

Abstract: Critical information literacy is about challenging the social and political powers at play in every stage of the information life cycle. Challenging these dynamics allow libraries to discover new ways to connect, engage, and empower a more diverse user-base. This presentation examines critical information literacy and its importance to academic librarians. Large philosophical ideas will be explored, from critical information literacy and its connection to critical pedagogy, particularly through the work of Paulo Freire. From there, non-traditional research outputs (NTROs) and methods will be discussed. The connection between NTROs and critical information literacy is underrepresented in the literature and presents an opportunity for academic librarians to demonstrate their value in this relatively new field. Employing a critical approach allows academic librarians to strengthen their relationships with student and staff. Indeed, many existing methods that are well known to librarians can be employed to this end, from collaborative methods such as flipped classroom and dialogic approach to students as partners. The presentation will bring these issues into focus by discussing a case study: an information literacy session on practice-led research delivered to second year Bachelor of Music students. The literature around teaching practice-led research at an undergraduate level is sparse. While initially daunting, developing this session provided a valuable collaborative learning experience alongside teaching faculty, and enabled me to develop my skills as facilitator. The case study will explore how the session came about, how it was delivered, the challenges faced, and the benefits of moving into a practice-led space. One benefit in particular that stood out to me was that by discussing practice-led research with music students early in their undergraduate degree, and linking it to their individual creative practice, students are provided more opportunities to see themselves as researchers, and to see their ideas as valuable and academically worthy. The library has an exciting role to play in bridging the gap between practice and research in creative disciplines. In this presentation, I hope to spark a conversation around how academic libraries can engage with critical information literacy in order to challenge their own stance within academia, to advocate for more diverse and inclusive practices, and to deepen the support we provide to students and staff.
 
Diversity is broader than providing diverse collections and services – our diverse communities need to know that libraries are challenging systems of inequity, including the position that libraries hold within these systems, no matter how uncomfortable that idea is. Critical pedagogy and critical information literacy are vital in moving libraries into this space in order to empower our users. Librarians in academic institutions hold a unique position; we are educators and critical thinkers but often without the confines of assessment. In this presentation I will discuss why we should see this as a strength and how the informal learning space fosters critical thinking through collaboration via a dialogic approach. A case study will demonstrate the practical application of these broad philosophical ideas in the library information literacy session. Libraries should advocate diversity within research approaches. The case study explores library-teacher collaboration in delivering a session about practice-led research. Students in artistic disciplines personal creative practices represent a diverse cohort, which may not be fully captured within a traditional curriculum. Practice-led research implicitly recognises the value of these culturally and intellectually diverse practices within an institutional context. The library’s role, may lead to greater engagement and stronger creative output from student artists.
 
 
 
 
 

ALIA Schools Professional Development Seminar, 2 June 2012: Learning in a changing world - curriculum integration 
 
Learning in a changing world is a series of five books prepared by ALIA & ASLA published by ACER to support teacher librarians and school libraries in the 21st century. This series will be the focus for professional learning during 2012.
 
The seminar is for primary and secondary teacher librarians and others who are responsible for school library services. This document supports the session on the SAMR method and an iPad case study in schools.
 

Well-resourced school libraries staffed by qualified library professionals are essential to rebuild the literacy levels of Australian students and achieve an appropriate level of reading competency. School libraries are necessary to create safe, confident users of online content and ensure that young people are media literate.
 
The statement calls on commonwealth, state and territory governments to ensure equitable access to appropriately funded and well-resourced school libraries, enhanced by the services of fully qualified teacher librarians and other library professionals.

Since the publication of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and Australian School Library Association (ASLA) Learning for the future: developing information services in schools (LFTF), 2nd edition in 1993, school leaders and teacher librarians have referred to Table 6: Recommended minimum information services centre staffing as a guideline for staffing levels in school libraries.
 
In the 21st century school libraries are expected to provide quality services, effective resourcing and relevant skill development for all learners in their community. To achieve these goals, it is essential that school libraries are well staffed. There is extensive documentation that well-staffed and resourced school libraries have a significant positive effect on student learning outcomes. An exemplary school library is underpinned by professionally qualified library staff using their knowledge, core skills and expertise to support the learning and teaching as well as to provide for recreational reading.
 
The ASLA-ALIA revised Table 6 provides a guide for schools when making decisions about staffing their libraries.

This document assists in the promotion of the role of the school library and the teacher librarian to the principal and/or leadership team.
 
It supports the short promotional film developed by ALIA Schools, 'Promoting your School Library', which gives an overview of the role that school libraries and teacher librarians can play by contributing to student success in learning in both primary and secondary school settings.
 
Five key stakeholders have been targeted as the audience for this film:

•  Parents
•  Principal/Leadership Team
•  School Staff
•  Library Teams
•  Network Groups

National 2016 Conference, 29 August-2 September 2016 Adelaide: Engage Create Lead
 
[Peer reviewed] This conference paper will discuss the strategies and approaches adopted over the past five years to engage and maintain relationships with the multiple critical stakeholders, and share the tangible outcomes achieved by developing the Research Data Management Services at UQ Library.
 
Research data form an integral part of a researchers’ scholarly outputs. Research data can be a valuable resource, which can often be repurposed and future research can build upon, but more importantly research data provide critical evidence for validating the results of research. In recognising the significance of research data, the government, funding bodies and the general public increasingly demand open data for sharing and re-use. Evidently, to be able to share and re-use, research data need to be well-managed and securely stored. With the skills and knowledge of information preservation and curation, and with their extremely flexible and responsive attitude, academic librarians can be instrumental in providing training and advice for managing, preserving, sharing and re-use of research data (Cox & Pinfield, 2014; Brown, Wolski & Richardson, 2015).
 
Because of their knowledge and skillset, academic librarians can potentially play a vital role in providing research data management services to researchers. However, for these services to be successful, it is imperative for the librarians to build and maintain relationships with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels. The Research Data Management Team are supported by faculty librarians to provide infrastructure, advice, and training to UQ Research Higher Degree (RHD) students and researchers.
 

Contents: New members welcomed including Norma Worswick, Ballarat Base Hospital, Berta Mansourian, Southern Memorial Hospital, Karen Roberts, Frankston Community Hospital; memorial tribute to Thora Grey; salary scales of medical librarians; thanks for Hospital Library Manual Pro-Forma; thanks for book list; draft journal list; list of medical librarians in Adelaide available; course for Untrained Medical Librarians approved by Hospitals and Charities Commission; role of Pat Nakouz expanded to Manager of Commission's Library; The Librarian in the Changing World of Medicine document deposited at the State Library of Victoria; Library Directory A4 with holes for ring binding; relationship of MLG with LAA - to discuss whether to remain separate or affiliate, The MLG was founded as a result of united common interests and a necessity to advance the needs of medical libraries. At the foundation there were too few professional members of the LAA to fill its requirements for affiliation as a section and so the MLG started independently with the approval of the LAA but without formal acknowledgement. The Law and Music Libraries were recruiting similarly. Members were asked to consider the future of the MLG - to continue as a separate and independent group, striving for a national framework, or, given that a large proportion of members are already professional members of the LAA, become affiliated? The LAA plans to introduce reduced rates for participation in seminars, conferences, etc to members. The LAA would provide a constitutional, administrative and regional framework - to be discussed further; Darwin Hospital Librarian requests assistance - sent book list and manual pro-forma; report on Medline demonstration by Fay Baker, Sandra Russell, Suzy Pacher, Bruce Davidson and Monash Biomedical Library staff; Addendum to February 1977 Newsletter on Medline charges by Monash University and the University of Melbourne.
Original document held in ALIA House, Canberra.

HLA News: National News Bulletin of Health Libraries Australia - The national health group of the Australian Library and Information Association
 
Contents: Being Healthwise: a health information literacy resource for patients and carers -- Convenor's focus -- Taking flight as first-time presenters on our first year of health librarianship -- A feast of inspiration: EBLIP8 report -- Smart searching: search filters and expert topic searches -- When economists meet librarians -- Cost-effective analysis for health librarians -- PubMed Train the Trainer preview -- Join the ALIA HLA community -- Those clever librarians and their Bookface -- Health Librarianship Essentials course review -- HLA Evidence Summary: does library and information services use impact patient care?

Asia-Pacific Library and Information Conference 2018, 30 July - 2 August 2018 Gold Coast: Roar Leap Dare
 
This conference paper discusses the approach by University of Adelaide to improve research outcomes through reducing researcher time spent on administrative tasks; and through more effective storage and exposure of research outputs. The University’s organisational structure did not provide a clear pathway for a co-ordinated, enterprise wide approach; so a new, cross-portfolio researcher engagement process was designed and implemented. This paper will describe the partners and the processes - who is involved, how they work, and our successes and challenges. 
 
Technology Services and the Library collaboratively staff a three-tiered service model. The engagement is spearheaded by a Change Manager who works with key researchers to identify their pain points and identify an appropriate solution; then lead the implementation and uptake of the products and services to facilitate their work. The Change Manager is supported by the eResearch Project Librarian. This role, funded jointly by the Library and by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), assists in the design of new services, the identification of useful products, and in their implementation. Services include broad-based researcher support and training. Products include ORCiD, Researcher Profiles, figshare data repository for open data, online Data Management Records and Altmetric Explorer. The eResearch Librarian then works to upskill the third tier of research support: the Liaison Librarians.
 
Once a particular research tool is no longer a ‘project; and becomes part of ‘business as usual’ it becomes the responsibility of the Liaison Librarians. The Liaison Librarians are aligned to a Faculty portfolio to allow them to develop discipline specific skills. For example, the Liaison Librarian responsible for the Faculty of Arts has Digital Humanities expertise, whereas the Liaison Librarian with responsibility for the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences will develop deeper knowledge around de-identifying research data to allow open access. This discipline specific knowledge, in conjunction with relationships with researchers within their Faculties, makes the Liaison Librarians well placed to provide targeted ongoing support.
 
In 2017 the University rolled out an unprecedented number of research supporting technologies with resounding take-up by the University’s research community. The take-up is a clear measure of success for this approach. The Liaison Librarians learnt new skills and new ways of engaging with researchers. Library staff began to work more deeply and collaboratively with research support staff in Technology Services, Faculties and Schools and the Office of the Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Research), building credibility and prominence across the wider University. This cross-structural approach to research support has been a demonstrably successful model. The combination of resources provided by Technology Services and the Library provided both bandwidth and a diverse skill set which enabled new initiatives that would not have been possible by one business unit alone.

ALIA Schools Professional Development Seminar, 19 March 2011 Camberwell, Victoria: Positives and pitfalls of eBooks and eReaders
 
The seminar is for primary and secondary teacher librarians and others who are responsible for providing school library services and investigates: How do we navigate the eBook landscape? How do we best integrate them into the curriculum and library?
 
This document supports the session on school library ebook and ereader management.
 

ALIA Schools Professional Development Seminar, 19 March 2011 Camberwell, Victoria: Positives and pitfalls of eBooks and eReaders
 
The seminar is for primary and secondary teacher librarians and others who are responsible for providing school library services and investigates: How do we navigate the eBook landscape? How do we best integrate them into the curriculum and library?
 
This document supports the session on school library ebook and ereader management.
 

National 2016 Conference, 29 August-2 September 2016 Adelaide: Engage Create Lead.
 
This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) discusses how librarians have always played a crucial role in cultivating world class research. Yet, increasingly, all modern research involves some form of computation. If skills such as programming and data analysis are not routinely taught as part of a library science curriculum, what pathways exist for librarians to acquire these skills so they can go on to play a greater role in supporting researchers and in making greater use of the data generated within their own institutions? Library Carpentry is one model for skills acquisition. How could it be put to use in rebooting librarianship for the 21st century – which is already tipped to be the century of big data?

Australian Library Design Awards and Conference, 19 June 2017 Melbourne
 
This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) provides two examples and two schools of thought in the approach taken to design school library spaces suitable for 21st Century education.
 
The Australian Library Design Awards have been created to showcase the best in contemporary library interiors and exteriors in Australia, and to celebrate the investment in libraries made by our nation's institutions, corporations, local, state and territory governments. They have been developed in the context of other competitions internationally, including the American Institute of Architects/American Library Association Library Building Awards and the Danish Agency for Culture Model Programme for Public Libraries Public Library of the Year Award. The entries, shortlisted and winning designs provide case studies in excellent library design for the 21st Century. 
 
The awards are organised by the Australian Library and Information Association in partnership with the Australian Public Library Alliance and Council of Australian University Librarians. The organising committee includes senior library leaders from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, acting on behalf of colleagues nationally. More than 30 libraries were entered for the inaugural Australian Library Design Awards 2017. Public, school, academic and special libraries all featured in the entries, and there was a special award for the library voted for by ALIA Members.