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The first meeting of the ALIA Professional Pathways Board in 2022 was conducted over Zoom on 15 February 2022, and included discussion of a range of issues including:

• Project progress
• Stregthening accreditation and courses
• Research and projects.

This Technical Report presents the detailed findings of the enquiry by the project which focus on skills frameworks, professional ethics and values, qualification pathways, future views of education and training, continuous professional development and professional status.
 
This Technical Report makes it clear that ALIA’s investment in the Professional Pathways initiative is timely and vital to meet the challenges and opportunities of the evolving work environment. Governments, employers, educators and workers (current and future) are all aware of the need to change the traditional model of education for and training in the professions to drive excellence and currency among professionals. A new mindset of life-long active professionalism, based on core ethics and values and with support for whole-of-career development, is needed for libraries and information services to grow and develop in line with advances in society and technologies. 
 

 Summary of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Board of Directors Meeting held on Monday 18 March 2022, via Zoom.

Article from INCITE March/April 2022 Volume 43 Issue 2.
 
Staff at Curtin University Library in Perth outline some of the initiatives they have recently implemented to better engage with Indigenous perspectives in their services and spaces. Initiatives include creating a book club, producing a podcast series and commissioning new artworks – all guided by the ‘nothing about us without us’ maxim.

 
Contents: About ALIA -- President’s report -- Chief Executive Officer’s report -- Business director’s report -- Director of policy and education’s report -- Director Conferences and Events’s report -- How we performed against th ALIA Board’s Strategic Plan -- Our membership -- Advocacy campaigns -- Government and stakeholder relations -- Conferences and events  -- ALIA in the regions  -- Education, professional development, and training  -- Awards  -- Communications  -- Financial statements 
 
 

The overarching aim of the Greening Libraries research project is to underpin the Australian Library and Information Association’s focus on sustainability, in line with its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The report aims to highlight examples of best practice and inform the creation of a toolkit for libraries to help them support environmental action, further the greening libraries movement as well as exemplify sustainability practices that are consistent with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
 
This report is the second output from the Greening Libraries research project, and was commissioned by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) with the support of the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL).

ALIA National 2022 Conference, 16 May - 19 May 2022 Canberra: Diversity
 
Abstract: Before the focus on Media Literacy there was Digital Literacy, and before that Information Literacy. Indeed Information Literacy can be considered the umbrella term for both digital and media literacy and continues to be a foundation stone of our profession. If we characterise Information Literacy as a puzzle with many pieces, too often the missing piece is adult literacy. And there's evidence that this inability to read (or read fluently) is a significant barrier to adults accessing our services and programs. Providing access to information is more than providing access to our physical and virtual collections, places and spaces. As library professionals we must address access at the basic level of being able to independently find, decode, comprehend and use information. Building on our role as digital and media literacy champions, we need to highlight adult literacy as a fundamental component of inclusive and equitable access to, and participation in, an increasingly complex and information-rich society. And in doing so, acknowledge and work with the diverse characteristics and contexts of public libraries and the communities and individuals they serve. This will deliver increased successes in our mission to create an information literate society for all. In Australian public libraries, adult literacy learning is an evolving and diverse offering. The ALIA Adult Literacy Group aims to be a trusted, collaborative place for LIS staff to go to when they're trying to place 'the missing piece' in their information literacy puzzle. It will advocate for recognition of library adult literacy programs as legitimate and vital offerings that stand alongside and complement those offered in the adult education sector. It will highlight the advantages of public library reach, flexibility and opportunity for adults who cannot or will not access other paths to literacy. It will be a safe space to ask questions, deliberate and debate. A trusted space with shared evidence-based literacy resources and models to support decision-making and action in diverse library contexts and communities. Our presentation will discuss the recent history of adult literacy provision in Australian public libraries. It will provide examples of how libraries can adapt their services and programs to the diverse needs of their members and communities. And it will invite delegates to (re)consider what it means to be an information professional.
 
 
 
 

Agenda for the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Board of Directors Meeting held on Monday 16 May 2022 at the National Convention Centre, Canberra and via Zoom.

 Summary of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Board of Directors Meeting held on Monday 16 May 2022, at the National Convention Centre, Canberra and via Zoom.

ALIA National 2022 Conference, 16 May - 19 May 2022 Canberra: Diversity
 
Abstract: Before the focus on Media Literacy there was Digital Literacy, and before that Information Literacy. Indeed Information Literacy can be considered the umbrella term for both digital and media literacy and continues to be a foundation stone of our profession. If we characterise Information Literacy as a puzzle with many pieces, too often the missing piece is adult literacy. And there's evidence that this inability to read (or read fluently) is a significant barrier to adults accessing our services and programs. Providing access to information is more than providing access to our physical and virtual collections, places and spaces. As library professionals we must address access at the basic level of being able to independently find, decode, comprehend and use information. Building on our role as digital and media literacy champions, we need to highlight adult literacy as a fundamental component of inclusive and equitable access to, and participation in, an increasingly complex and information-rich society. And in doing so, acknowledge and work with the diverse characteristics and contexts of public libraries and the communities and individuals they serve. This will deliver increased successes in our mission to create an information literate society for all. In Australian public libraries, adult literacy learning is an evolving and diverse offering. The ALIA Adult Literacy Group aims to be a trusted, collaborative place for LIS staff to go to when they're trying to place 'the missing piece' in their information literacy puzzle. It will advocate for recognition of library adult literacy programs as legitimate and vital offerings that stand alongside and complement those offered in the adult education sector. It will highlight the advantages of public library reach, flexibility and opportunity for adults who cannot or will not access other paths to literacy. It will be a safe space to ask questions, deliberate and debate. A trusted space with shared evidence-based literacy resources and models to support decision-making and action in diverse library contexts and communities. Our presentation will discuss the recent history of adult literacy provision in Australian public libraries. It will provide examples of how libraries can adapt their services and programs to the diverse needs of their members and communities. And it will invite delegates to (re)consider what it means to be an information professional.
 
 
 
 

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 National 2022 Conference, 16 May - 19 May 2022 Canberra: Diversity
 
Abstract: Cataloguers have the unique ability to make an item discoverable, make it hard to find, or assign value and significance. The application of specific subject headings can reflect current cultural thinking and personal bias. At worst, subject headings can reflect dated, racist, or derogatory language and as a consequence be re-traumatising. Cataloguing tools have not always considered different perspectives and social structures. The AIATSIS Pathways thesauri (http://www1.aiatsis.gov.au/index.asp) is an internationally recognised subject standard that allows any library to describe First Nations material in way that makes it more discoverable by Indigenous and non-Indigenous users, is respectful and appropriate and less likely to re-traumatise. Using the Thesaurus enables libraries to describe collection material with greater cultural integrity, meaning and respect. This presentation will explore the history and future of the AIATSIS Pathway Thesaurus and way in which Trove and the National Library have embedded it into their work. Co-delivered by staff from the National Library’s Indigenous Engagement Section, Trove and AIATSIS, this session will: • discuss why this work is so important • learn more about how the AIATSIS Pathway Thesaurus was developed and how it is continuing to be enhanced • provide insight into the how Trove uses the Thesaurus to enhance the discoverability of Indigenous material, and; • look at how other libraries can use the AIATSIS Thesauri to enhance the description and discoverability of First Nations material in their collections This presentation provides a unique opportunity to hear about the Thesaurus from a number of inter-related perspectives. National Library’s Assistant Director of Indigenous Engagement Rebecca Bateman will discuss the importance of the AIATSIS Thesaurus to her as a library professional and why describing First Nations material appropriately, respectfully and meaningfully is so critical from an Indigenous perspective. Jen Douglas, Metadata Coordinator, Descriptive Metadata and Cataloguing at AIATSIS will talk about the Pathways Thesaurus – how it was developed, what are its features, where is it heading in the future, and how libraries can access the Thesaurus. In 2020 the National Library launched a new Trove, the first major redesign since its launch in 2009. One of the goals of new Trove was to make the service a culturally safer space for First Nations people. We could not have achieved these initiatives without the Thesaurus or the Austlang language codes. However, there is more to do to make Trove genuinely safe, and that must be a collaborative effort. Catriona Bryce, Assistant Director Trove Data Support will outline what was achieved in the redesign and some potential pathways forward.
 
 
 
 
 
 

ALIA National 2022 Conference, 16 May - 19 May 2022 Canberra: Diversity
 
Abstract: Our library service strives to be an inclusive space. We have considered our programs, spaces and collections in relation to the LGBTQIA+ communities and the same for those people living with a disability, and continue to improve our offerings, but we had never considered how these intersect. Whilst much might be known about the social, health and well-being needs of people with disability more generally, little is known about the social interactions and social opportunities available for people who identify LGBTIQ+ and with a disability within the Moreton Bay Region. What are the social interactions and opportunities needed for this demographic and how can we support them? This presentation outlines our collaborative approach, alongside the University of the Sunshine Coast, to begin to explore this space. We posed the question: “Can dress be the conduit for greater inclusivity in regional Australian communities where people identify as both queer and crip ?”. The initial scope aimed to identify if there is a Queer Crip community in the Moreton Bay Region, and if so, what their expressed social and community needs are. It was decided that a social event that includes opportunity for consultation with the LGTBQI+Q with disability in the Moreton Bay Region be undertaken. On May 17th, 2021, known as IDAHOBIT , a public event held in the North Lakes Public Library called Fab Abled brought together members of these communities who also identify as living with a disability. The event format was a panel discussion on how dress is used in the construction of identities. The panel consisted of Ms. Lisa Cox, an advocate for better representation of people with a disability in fashion media, Chinta Woo Allcock, a drag queen who is a person of colour and expert in cultural identity through language as well as local drag queen hostess, Tilly Screams who has Marfan Syndrome . Tilly Screams performed a song and dance in persona. The event was very well received and in this presentation we present our approach to planning, the learnings, and offer support and advice to other libraries services that want to support LGBTQIA+ and Queer Crip communities with a similar event of their own.
 
 
 

ALIA National 2022 Conference, 16 May - 19 May 2022 Canberra: Diversity
 
This conference paper discusses the efforts made, outcomes achieved and lessons learned from Wollongong City Libraries' Workforce Planning Project.
 
Abstract: The ALIA Strategic Plan 2020-24 prioritises the need for a diverse workforce. ALIA has demonstrated its commitment to ‘…support a resilient, diverse workforce: attracting and developing talented, committed individuals from different cultural backgrounds, who will have the strength and agility to navigate a rapidly changing workplace.’ Similarly, Wollongong City Libraries (WCL) is currently undertaking workforce planning to attract a skilled, diverse and dynamic workforce among other objectives. WCL would like to share an overview of the efforts made, outcomes achieved and lessons learned from the workforce planning process with the ALIA community in May 2022. The City of Wollongong is a Local Government Area (LGA) in the Illawarra region about 80km south of Sydney and is the third-largest city in New South Wales. It was originally inhabited by the Dharawal people and today is home to nearly a quarter of a million people. According to the data in Our Wollongong 2028 Community Strategic Plan: • 2.6% of the population identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. • 20% were born overseas in countries like the UK, China, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Italy and New Zealand, and 78% of the population only spoke English at home. • The city’s population is ageing with consistent growth in the proportion of people aged 50 years and over. • 29.0% of households earned a low income ($0 to $750 per week). • Of people aged 15 and over, 13.1% reported having completed Year 12 as their highest level of educational attainment, 28.1% had completed a Certificate III-Advanced Diploma and 17.4% had completed a university qualification. WCL is undergoing workforce planning as part of an ongoing cycle of continuous imrovement as the environment and business changes. There are four objectives relevant to workforce diversity: • Address the changing role of libraries, offering contemporary library services and practices; • Create structure that best supports delivery of our future functions; • Create a workforce with the capabilities and attributes we need for the future; and • Develop processes so that we attract, develop and sustain a skilled, diverse and dynamic workforce that can achieve the service outcomes we are committed to. In 2020-21, concrete actions have been taken towards creating a more diverse workforce: • Attracting and hiring professionals with specialist skillsets and attributes regardless of a lack of experience in libraries. In 2021, an educator with project management experience was appointed in a new role Project Leader Learning City, and an Education and Experience Coordinator from the University of Wollongong was awarded the role of Librarian – Programs and Events. • In 2021 a targeted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traineeship role was established and promoted through a local Aboriginal employment agency. The recruitment • In 2020 a young person with autism was appointed as a casual Library Assistant through a strong partnership with a local school that offers a range of services to support children on the autism spectrum. WCL would like to share the outcomes and lessons learned from the workforce planning process and promote discussion around creating a more diverse workforce in Australian libraries.