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This submission by the Australian Library and Information Assocation (ALIA) is in response to questions posed by the National Research Infrastructure Capability Issues Paper July 2016.
 
The Australian Government requested the development of the 2016 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap to determine Australia's national research infrastructure needs to underpin research efforts over the next decade.

ALIA National 2016 Conference, 29 August-2 September 2016 Adelaide: engage create lead.
 
A poster paper describing a research project funded in part by the 2014 ALIA Research Grant Award.
 
This research lies at the emerging field of human information interaction and retrieval (CHIIR), with particular emphasis on user-centred approaches to information retrieval. The project included designing and conducting a user experiment to assess the effect of displayed Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms on gaze and search behaviour.
 
The results include several kinds of research data that inform the understanding of the relationship between interface, reading patterns, search behaviour and search performance. 

ALIA 2016 National Conference, 29 August-2 September 2016, Adelaide: Engage, Create, Lead
 
[Peer reviewed] This paper engages with the issue, raised by Lonsdale in 2003, of a lack of data regarding national staffing trends in Australian school libraries. The authors review the literature available, including general census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, library sector-specific information, and data from the education sector (including school libraries). Particular focus is given to the Staff in Australian Schools survey, as well as its limitations. 
 
The authors discuss three main findings from their research: 1) declining numbers of teachers in primary school libraries, 2) a growing inequity between numbers of staff in low-SES and high-SES school libraries, and 3) the prevalence of teachers with little or no tertiary qualifications in library studies working in school libraries. The authors also examine residual gaps in the data and provide the following recommendations: work to collect and share data across relevant sectors; partner with the library industry to commission and fund broader kinds of research; and connect research to national and local priorities such as those related to school students' performance. 

 
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Submission by ALIA to the first round consulation of the Australian Public Service Review, 31 July 2018.
This review is looking at the capability, culture and operating model of the APS.
The submission presents a case against library staffing and service reductions in government libraries and requests that the APS Review consider the following five recommendations:
1. That the review recognise the importance of knowledge and information to the efficient and effective operation of the APS.
2. That the review endorse the ongoing need for qualified library and information professionals serving the Commonwealth Government.
3. That the review propose exploration of new service models for library and information services, with advice from ALIA and other relevant organisations.
4. That the review note the opportunity for the recruitment and employment of Indigenous professionals in the library stream.
5. That the APS recognise the need for specialist skills in the management of library and information services.
 

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) submission in response to enhancing online safety for children and older Australians. The submission recommends further integration of community focused programs into the Office of the eSafety Commissioner's portfolio.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) submission to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) discusses the invaluable role of public libraries in enabling digital inclusion. The submission recommends consultation be undertaken between the ABS and ALIA Australian Public Library Alliance about a funded education and communications plan for 2021 Census, to articulate the role of public libraries and allow for information sessions, factsheets, FAQs and handouts to be provided well in advance of any public-facing campaign.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) submission in response to the Digital Health Agency consultation discussing the value of Australian Public Library Alliance (APLA) and Health Libraries Australia (HLA) as partners in the provision of access to authoritative health information.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the consultation and commends the WA Public Libraries Working Group on its approach to planning for the future. Public libraries are transforming their facilities, programs, services, technologies and staff skills to meet the challenges of our increasingly digital society. However, a significant additional investment in terms of funding, resources, skills and capacity is needed to ensure plans can be realised.

The Australian Libraries Copyright Committee (ALCC) welcomes the amendments to the Bill. A localised and universally applicable anti-piracy notice and takedown system for addressing local copyright infringements would increase clarity and reduce costs both for our members and for Australian creators.

Since 2015, ALIA has been the lead association for discussions with the Australian Government and other stakeholders about the role that libraries play in contributing to the delivery of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). We have been working to assist Australian library and information professionals and their organisations to be part of this international drive for greater social equality, improved economic prosperity and a more sustainable environmental approach. Our initiatives are based on three roles for libraries: (1) Supporting freedom of access to information outcomes; (2) Providing examples of success, which can be used as part of Australia’s reporting; and (3) Helping to communicate the 2030 Agenda to the general population.
 
ALIA could list projects and achievements for all 17 goals, but instead have chosen the 10 goals which best relate to the Australian experience and where we have the strongest examples of library contributions nationally and in each of our states and territories. Goal 1 No poverty -- Goal 3 Good health and well-being -- Goal 4 Quality education -- Goal 5 Gender equality -- Goal 8 Decent work and economic growth -- Goal 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure -- Goal 10 Reduced inequalities -- Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities -- Goal 16 Peace and justice strong institutions -- Goal 17 Partnerships for the goals

Australian Libraries Copyright Committee (ALCC) and the Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) joint submission on the Copyright Regulations 2017 responds to questions set out in the consultation paper and provides additional suggestions for small changes to the regulations. Issues raised relate to unpublished works, the safe harbour scheme, technological protection measures (TPM), fair dealings for students and researchers, regulations governing photocopier notices, and document delivery and interlibrary loan provisions.

This submission by the Australian Library and Information Assocation (ALIA) comments on the Draft 2016 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap.
 
ALIA thanks the Expert Working Group (EWG) for listening to the case put forward by humanities, arts and cultural organisations, and for including Platforms for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) as one of its recommended nine focus areas. We are also pleased to see the National Library of Australia’s Trove identified, with others, as an existing national research infrastructure asset.
 
ALIA reiterates a request for the EWG to make explicit reference to the important role of Australian library and information professionals in making data more accessible and discoverable for science and humanities researchers. ALIA also urges the Government to include a representative from the library and information sector if a Research Infrastructure National Advisory group were to be formed in order to take full advantage of the knowledge and skills of the professionals we represent.

ALIA Library Technician Research Award 2015, Debra Gilmore, ALIATech 
 
This research, made possible by ALIA in the form of a research grant under the auspices of the ALIA biennial Library Technical Research Award, investigates whether Registered Training Organisations (RTO) Library Technician courses adequately cover the information and communications technology (ICT) skills required by library technicians and employers.