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This document summarises how people who work in the library and information field want the government to engage with library and information services to enable Australians to be well-informed, literate and ready for future economic and technological challenges.
 
POLICY
 
1. A national framework for digital access to cultural collections
2. Improved access to data and scholarly information through the development and trial of open access models for government-funded research
3. Halt to government library closures and greater recognition of the role of library and information professionals in evidence-based decision-making
4. Greater recognition of the important part libraries can play in literacy and learning 
5. Quality library services for tertiary students enrolled in universities, TAFEs and private RTOs
6. Qualified library staff employed in every school library
 
LEGISLATION
 
7. Copyright law reform and the introduction of fair use
 
FUNDING
 
8. Further investment in digitisation and the Trove platform
9. Resourcing for public libraries to assist citizens through government’s digital transformation
10. Funding for library buildings as a vital element of Australia’s knowledge infrastructure.
 

In 2013, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) set out to investigate (1) How will libraries remain relevant for users? (2) What changes will institutions and individuals in the sector experience? (3) Will ‘library and information professional’ continue to be a necessary and desirable occupation? Three years on, we have reviewed the themes, actions and what we have learned since the original investigation. This is the May 2017 update of the Future of the Library and Information Science Profession report. 

In 2013, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) set out to investigate (1) How will libraries remain relevant for users? (2) What changes will institutions and individuals in the sector experience? (3) Will ‘library and information professional’ continue to be a necessary and desirable occupation? Three years on, we have reviewed the themes, actions and what we have learned since the original investigation. This is the May 2017 update of the Future of the LIS Profession: Collecting Institutions report. 

In 2013, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) set out to investigate (1) How will libraries remain relevant for users? (2) What changes will institutions and individuals in the sector experience? (3) Will ‘library and information professional’ continue to be a necessary and desirable occupation? Three years on, we have reviewed the themes, actions and what we have learned since the original investigation. This is the May 2017 update of the Future of the LIS Profession: Special Libraries report. 

In 2013, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) set out to investigate (1) How will libraries remain relevant for users? (2) What changes will institutions and individuals in the sector experience? (3) Will ‘library and information professional’ continue to be a necessary and desirable occupation? Three years on, we have reviewed the themes, actions and what we have learned since the original investigation. This is the May 2017 update of the Future of the LIS Profession: Tertiary Education Libraries report. 

This is the fifth annual ALIA LIS education, skills and employment trend report. The report provides students, educators, employees and employers with an understanding of the national library and information science (LIS) landscape.
 
The library and information sector remains an attractive employment choice but there is undoubtedly competition for jobs. The workforce tends to be fairly static, with a relatively small number of vacancies occurring through staff turnover, people leaving the sector and the creation of new positions. There will be a modest increase in the number of qualified positions available over the next five years, but a decrease in the number of positions for staff without a library and information science qualification. The growth shows the importance of a formal commitment to ongoing learning by LIS professionals to stay current, such as utilising the recognition provided by ALIA’s Certified Professional PD Scheme. Changes to ALIA’s Professional Development Program in the lead up to 2020 reflect the need for Certified Professional status in many parts of the sector.

ALIA Special Libraries Summit, 2 September 2016 Adelaide: a satellite event to the ALIA National Conference
 
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) invited leaders from special libraries in government, health, law, research and other fields to come together to discuss the issues affecting the sector, with the aim of developing the basis for a collaborative national action plan. This report summaries the outcomes of the summit.
 

Australian Library Design Awards and Conference, 19 June 2017 Melbourne
 
This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) accompanied the keynote address 'The City of Melbourne experience: libraries as part of city planning' at the Australian Library Design Awards 2017. The presentation provides an insight into the move towards repurposing inner city areas to encourage economic vitality, social cohesion and sustainability.
 
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.

Australian Library Design Awards and Conference, 19 June 2017 Melbourne
 
This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) provides an insight into the approach taken in the redesign of a university library.
 
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.

Australian Library Design Awards and Conference, 19 June 2017 Melbourne
 
This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) discusses the State Library of Victoria Vision 2020 Redevelopment plan to create a modern and innovative cultural destination supporting knowledge, learning and creativity for all Victorians.
 
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.

Australian Library Design Awards and Conference, 19 June 2017 Melbourne
 
This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) discusses elements in the process of library design.
 
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.

This document (spreadsheet) has been produced from the information contained in the ALIA LIS research environmental scan report October 2014.
 
An environmental scan of Australian Library and Information Studies (LIS) research was undertaken focusing on the period 2005–2013. This was in response to a brief from ALIA that sought such an analysis to inform its decisions in relation to content of a future research agenda, support, advocacy, and future funding. The investigation was expected to include research priorities of other library and information organisations, topics of research undertaken in Australia, types of research, persons/organisations undertaking research, and how research activities are funded, communicated and applied.

Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) submission in response to the ACT Legislative Assembly Standing Committee inquiry into ACT Libraries.
 
Public libraries in the ACT and across Australia are transforming their facilities, programs, services, technologies and staff skills to meet the challenges of our increasingly digital society. Libraries ACT is currently providing an excellent service to residents in the capital and doing so in an efficient and cost-effective way within the Territory Government. For this situation to continue, further investment is needed to meet increasing user needs and expectations. 
 

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) submission in response to the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee Inquiry into ParentsNext, including its trial and subsequent broader rollout.
 
The location of public libraries and the services provided makes Australia's public library network an appealing opportunity for ParentsNext providers. However, library services have been used by ParentsNext providers without contacting the libraries involved. ALIA and the Australian Public Library Alliance request that ParentsNext providers consult with library managers before making use of library facilities and programs.