Article from INCITE November/December 2022 Volume 43 Issue 1.
Discussion of statewide marketing campaign in Victoria, "Return yourself to the library", designed over late 2021 to increase visitor numbers following COVID-19 lockdowns.
Article from INCITE January/February 2022 Volume 43 Issue 1.
Discussion of "Short Story Dispenser" project initiated by Kingston Libraries in Melbourne during 2021.
Miss Anne Harrison (1923-1992) was librarian-in-charge of the Brownless Medical Library at the University of Melbourne (1949-1983), and founder of the Central Medical Library Organization (1953-1994). She helped pioneer the introduction of Medline into Australia, and was a founder of the Australian Medical Librarians Group in the early 1970s, and later of the LAA Medical Librarians Section (now ALIA Health Libraries Australia).
The Anne Harrison Award was established to commemorate her work, and to encourage others to make their own contribution to the development of health librarianship.
This supplementary submission is made to the Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts in regards Australia’s lending rights schemes. This short submission clarifies comments made about public and educational lending rights at the hearing on 13 November 2020, including the importance of supplementing the existing lending to cover Australian ebooks and audiobooks collected and loaned by Australia’s libraries.
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) responds to the Exposure Draft Copyright Amendment (Access Reform) Bill 2021, proposed by the Australian Federal Government.
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes the Government’s proposed modernization of Australian copyright legislation for libraries and archives. The proposed changes will increase the Australian community’s access to our cultural collections, support creators, researchers, students and policy makers in their endeavors, and reduce redundant administrative processes for library staff.
The Bodies of Knowledge (Bok) identify the different areas of competency for the Library and Information Profession. The 11 BOKs are clustered in six managable groups, which makes it easier to gather evidence to revalidate.
This document was captured with permission from the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) webpage, "Bodies of Knowledge (BOK)" on 3 March 2022.
The subject benchmark standard for librarianship, information, knowledge, records and archives management defines the academic standards that can be expected of a graduate, in terms of what they might know, do and understand at the end of their studies, and describes the nature of the subject.
This document is reproduced with permission from QAA. The statement is scheduled to be revised in 2023.
The American Library Association Core Competences (ALACCs) reflect basic knowledge gained through LIS education, job on-boarding, and ongoing professional development early in a library career. It is essential that library professionals working throughout their careers in school, academic, public, special, and governmental libraries be life-long learners to acquire specialized and advanced knowledge beyond those specified in this Core Competences document.
This document is a draft version last revised 6 March 2021. It is reproduced with permission from the ALA.
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:
This document presents an overview of the major Professional Pathways Frameworks Project Technical Report, commissioned by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), which has been prepared as part of the Professional Pathways project. The Technical Report documents the findings from a major literature review and environmental scan to develop a clear understanding of the diverse and often complex issues relating to the education and qualification pathways into the library and information profession.
The research activities examined five key themes: the specific knowledge and skills required by library and information professionals, the values and ethics that underpin professional practice, the current qualification pathways into the profession, the role of micro-credentials in professional pathways, and the value of continuing professional development for professional recognition.
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.
The Australian Library and Information Association is committed to active participation in the global library community, supporting international library associations, providing leadership through ALIA’s expertise and promoting greater understanding of international librarianship and library issues in the global information environment.
Relationships with international associations and organisations will be consistent with ALIA’s core values and reflect ALIA’s expertise, capability and capacity.
This document presents the statement made by ALIA regarding its global activities as of February 2022.
This statement replaces:
"ALIA and international relations" (Adopted 1997. Amended 2001. Reviewed 2009. Amended 2018.)
and
"ALIA's relationships with overseas library associations policy statement" (March 2013. Amended 2018.)
Summary of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Board of Directors Meeting held on Monday 18 March 2022, via Zoom.
10 Sustainable Development Goal stretch targets are proposed for libraries in Australia from 2020-2030, following a period of refinement from September 2019. Targets address literacy; access to knowledge; equitable access; culture and heritage; sustainable communities; contribution to health and wellbeing; diversity and gender equality; lifelong learning; and global citizenship.
The report tracks the current status of lead agencies against the SDG stretch targets as of January 2022.
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.
In 2019, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) in partnership with Australian Public Library Alliance (APLA) and ALIA Health Libraries Australia (HLA), was successful in application to the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) to be a My Health Record (MHR) Consumer Education Community Delivery Partner. The aim of ALIA’s MHR education program was to deliver training to public library staff and relevant community partners so that they would be able to respond to enquiries about MHR, to be proactive in offering information about MHR, and feel confident when providing guidance about issues relating to community members MHRs.
This final report shares program outcomes, figures, community case studies and the ongoing commitment to support ADHA MHR consumer learning program.
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
These guidelines are intended to assist principals, school administrators and teacher librarians in the appropriate allocation of time enables teacher librarians to effectively deliver of school library services and programmes.
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
ALIA National Conference provides the platform as a meeting point for all Library and Information professionals, from all sectors and all areas of Australia and the international community.
Respect for the diversity and individuality of all people is one of ALIA’s core values, and ‘diversity’ has been selected by ALIA President, Vicki Edmunds as her Presidential theme. Libraries serve diverse communities and work to develop, maintain and share diverse collections.
This report documents the focus group consultation activities undertaken by ALIA in early 2022 as part of the Professional Pathways initiative.
Following the Technical Report, the ALIA Professional Pathways Board made four recommendations, one of which was to develop a framework of knowledge, skills and ethical behaviour as a sector-wide, whole-of-career resource to guide and support professional learning and development. As part of the consultation process proposed in this recomendation, a series of focus groups was conducted to explore the concepts of the professional framework, professional identity and active professionalism. This report presents the focus group methodology employed and the processes involved in the collection and content analysis of the qualitative research data. The principal themes identified in the focus group discussions are reviewed including issues relating to the contemporary LIS profession, insights into the individual’s career journey, concerns about LIS education and the characteristics of the fields of professional knowledge and skills. The challenges and opportunities for diverse pathways into the LIS profession are explored, as well as the concept of active professionalism. The thematic analysis closes with a summary of the focus group participants’ views about a potential sector-wide, whole-of-career framework.
The fundamental principles according to which the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, is to be governed, as amended on 16 May 2022.
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.
Agenda for the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Board of Directors Meeting held on Friday 18 March 2022 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.
Minutes of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) 34th Annual General Meeting held on Monday 16 May 2021 at the National Convention Centre, Canberra and over the Zoom online platform.
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.
National Library and Information Technicians' Symposium, 30 October - 1 November 2013, Canberra: waves of change.
This paper examines the change management process from the announcement of the change through to the implementation of the new supplier. The paper presents findings from team surveys and interviews conducted throughout the process. Recommendations are given for staff facing similar changes in their own work environments.
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.