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ALIA New Librarians' Symposium 8 (NLS8) program

ALIA New Librarians' Symposium 8 (NLS8), 23-25 June 2017 Canberra: DIY Library Career
 
The New Librarians’ Symposium (NLS) is a biennial 3-day event hosted by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). The first NLS was held in 2002 in Brisbane, and has since proved to be a popular professional development event with attendees at each event from across Australasia. The New Librarians’ Symposiums encourages participation in the industry by new graduates, and provide a welcoming environment for both new and established professionals to exchange ideas and make connections across the industry.

Subject
Career development
Librarians

ALIA Skills, Knowledge and Ethics Framework for the Library and Information Services Workforce

The ALIA Framework of Skills, Knowledge and Ethics for the Library and Information Services Workforce distills the skills, knowledge and ethics needed to work effectively in the LIS sector and to provide high-quality services to library communities. 
 
From 2020 – 2023 a significant workforce project brought together representatives from library and information service (LIS) sectors across Australia to develop an approach to ensure a resilient, diverse workforce with the skills, knowledge, professionalism and ethics required to navigate our rapidly changing workplaces. The Framework is the major output of the workforce project. At the heart of this Framework and project are the information needs of the communities served by the LIS workforce. The professional knowledge, ethics and values that are developed and put into practice underpin the diverse services that the sector offers these communities.
 

Purpose 
The Framework is aimed at a multitude of LIS stakeholders, bringing students, employees, employers, educators, training providers, organisations and the professional association together into a common presentation of the knowledge, skills and ethical behaviour that underpin the workforce and the sector. 
Because the Framework is sector-wide, it can serve as a mechanism to foster professional cohesion and be used an advocacy tool through the clear expression of the vital significance of our core values and ethical principles, providing a visible structure to our field of practice and articulating our contemporary identity. The Framework communicates both within and outside the LIS sector, offering a clearly articulated presentation of our shared ethics, values and knowledge areas. Having a clear impression of the sector will support those looking to transition careers, bringing with them a diversity of skills and experience. 
 
Component parts
Core Domains: these are three universal knowledge, skills and ethics areas applicable for roles across the LIS sector, regardless of whether you have LIS qualifications. 
Professional Knowledge Domains: these are key areas of LIS knowledge. Associate and LibTec members of ALIA would be expected to have knowledge of all domains. 
Active Professionalism: encompasses the professional mindset and the behavioural skills that are critical for the successful application of the Core and Professional Knowledge Domains in the workplace.

 

Subject
Education and skills; Professional development; Professional associations

ALIA Top End Symposium 2015 program

9th ALIA Top End Symposium, 16-17 October 2015 Darwin: Evolution, Excellence and Energy - the triple E approach to future proofing libraries
 

The ALIA Top End Symposium is held bi-annually and is a gathering for the celebration of the Territory Libraries and to generate new ideas for the library sector in the Top End.
 
As a profession we need to future proof libraries to ensure long term sustainability.  Innovation is our job.  We must evolve and proactively satisfy client needs in complex and changing environments.  Making libraries indispensable by providing excellent services to our community is one way. Energetically engaging our communities is another.  But are we really taking the right path? Do we need to do more, or possibly do it differently? What are your ideas?

 

Subject
Career development
Librarians
Professional development

At the edge, collaboration and the blended lecture room: breaking the mould to improve student learning

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.
 
Abstract:
 
Using one subject class as a case study, this presentation will discuss the value of innovation in constructively aligning the teaching of information literacy skills into a subject in terms of student engagement and outcomes. In the context of reimagining an existing subject, the library lecture was completely redeveloped. The results of the first assessment, an annotated bibliography, showed that all students found relevant scholarly resources and all passed.
The foundation BA subject has been taught for 4 years with lectures video conferenced across 2 campuses in a traditional format of 2 hour lectures and a 1 hour tutorial. Library staff taught a 1 hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial. The format changed to a 1 hour lecture followed by a 1 hour lectorial focused on skill building and assessment – a blended leture room; and a 1 hour tutorial focused on discussing the lecture content.
 
 
The teachers requested a lecture demonstrating specific skills. They requested and participated in a practice run of the class. The library lecture and resources demonstrated, set the foundation for the following lectorial. Students were engaged and actively participated in tasks and demonstrated sound understanding of information literacy concepts demonstrated in the lecture in terms of credibility, authority, audience, bias and usefulness.
 
 
The redeveloped library lecture took about 40 hours to prepare. This included the development of a detailed run sheet and an assessment question analysed using a People, Events and other Considerations (PEC) methodology. A themed 13 slide PowerPoint presentation used to conclude the lecture was also prepared.
 
 
At all times the process was a true collaboration between library and teaching staff. Student outcomes were at the centre of planning. The teaching staff, were integral to developing an effective library lecture which was constructively aligned with assessment questions and assessment tasks. The library in class time commitment for the subject was reduced from 7 hours to just 3 hours making this innovation in learning support more sustainable.
 
 
The reimagined library lecture was made possible by a willingness to accept constructive criticism; a willingness to work at the edge of comfort zones; a willingness to devote a large amount of time at a very busy time of year; and a willingness to take risks. As Librarians we need to embrace new ideas and practices to facilitate emerging teaching methodologies.
 

Subject
Information literacy
Library services
Academic libraries
Library orientation

ALIA-APLA submission in response to the Australian Government Online Safety Legislative Reform Discussion Paper, February 2020

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Australian Government’s Online Safety Legislative Reform Discussion Paper and applauds the move to bring together existing measures in a single framework and supports the expansion of the role of the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. However, there are specific areas of concern regarding the legislation in relation to library accountability, digital content, reporting requirements, and the relationship with other legislative reform.
 
ALIA and our library members are generally in favour of the approach to Online Safety Legislative Reform described in the Discussion Paper but we appreciate the opportunity to voice our specific concerns and look forward to further involvement as the consultation moves into the next phase.

 

Subject
Cybersafety
Law reform
Libraries and the Internet

ALIA response to the review of the Australian Digital Inclusion Index ADII 2.0, March 2020

Australian libraries – especially public, State and Territory Libraries – have found the Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) to be an invaluable source of data about the levels of digital inclusion nationally, regionally and locally. The information gained from the ADII reports has enabled libraries to advocate successfully for investment in technology, programs and services to meet the needs of their communities and users. It has identified specific target groups requiring greater assistance, and it has helped guide program and service development.
 
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) thanks Telstra, the Centre for Social Impact and RMIT University for creating the Australian Digital Inclusion Index and would welcome the opportunity to be involved in any further consultation or testing prior to the launch of ADII 2.0.

 

Subject
Digital divide
Digital and information literacy
Internet access

Australian Library and Information Association Annual Report 2019

 
Contents: About ALIA -- President's report -- Chief Executive Officer's report -- Director Corporate Services' report -- Director of Learning's report -- Director of Conferences and Events' report -- How we performed against the ALIA Board's strategic plan -- Our membership -- Advocacy campaigns -- Government and stakeholder relations -- Special projects -- Conferences and events -- ALIA in the regions -- Education, professional development and training -- Awards -- Communications -- Financial statements.

 

 

Subject
Annual reports
Australian Library and Information Association

ALIA Strategic Plan 2019-2023

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) will achieve its vision, provide leadership, and influence the successful evolution of the library and information (LIS) sector in Australia through the four strategic priorities: leadership and advocacy; members and membership; education and professional development; future-proofing ALIA.
 
ALIA will actively seek out partnerships and opportunities for collaboration which will complement our strategic priorities and provide us with further opportunities to expand our capacity, reach and profile.

Subject
Australian Library and Information Association
Strategic planning

Australian libraries responding to COVID-19: Checklist for reopening libraries

As of 1 May, governments have started planning to ease restrictions on services, with the Northern Territory announcing the reopening of public library services from 15 May. We anticipate greater clarity in the coming weeks about when libraries may be able to ease restrictions on services and reopen fully. While government can make broad statements about libraries reopening, the details will need to be carefully planned by library managers to mitigate any remaining risks for staff and library users. Reopening will not mean going back to the way things were pre-COVID-19; it will mean putting in place the ‘new normal’ approach to library services.
 
This is the opportunity for libraries to prioritise their existing services and refocus investment on the services which are most highly valued by users. Some services which have been established for the duration of the pandemic will need to be removed as they will be redundant; there will no longer be the capacity to deliver them, or they will no longer be permissible. However, other innovations will most likely become part of normal service.
 
In practical terms, there will need to be a greater focus on the safe handling of items for borrowing and display. The Institute of Museum and Library Services, OCLC and Battelle in the US are collaborating to develop an evidence-based approach to safe reopening practices, providing information about how to handle materials, training and cleaning in libraries.
 
The International Federation of Library Associations is also gathering information about the strategies that libraries around the world are taking, as they plan to reopen their libraries.
 
Each library will have its own plans for reopening, depending on the sector and the specific needs of the library’s community, but the checklist provides a practical framework which outlines major considerations that library managers should be addressing, when planning to reopen their library.

 

Subject
Checklists
Emergency management
Library planning

ALIA LIS education, skills and employment trend report 2016

This report concludes that Library and information science is an occupation with a relatively small, highly qualified workforce (representing approximately 0.2% of the Australian labour force) and an equally small education footprint (approximately 0.2% of VET students and 0.1% of higher education students).
 
Although the LIS workforce is small, our sector has significant reach and profile because millions of Australians use library services. More than 8.6 million Australians are registered public library users (source: National and State Libraries Australasia statistics) and still more use university, VET, special and school libraries.
 
The library and information sector remains an attractive proposition. It has a higher average age for workers, many of whom benefit from the option of part time flexible working. However, 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. The full impact of Baby Boomer retirement has yet to be felt, with people staying longer in the workforce. 
 
There will be a modest increase in the number of qualified positions available over the next five years, but a significant decrease in the number of positions for staff without a library and information science qualification. Changes to ALIA’s professional development program in the lead up to 2020 will reflect the need for Certified Professional status in many parts of the sector.

Subject
Education
Employment
Flexible work arrangements
Labor supply
Libraries
Library education
Library science
Statistics
Vocational qualifications

An investigation of the perceptions, expectations and behaviors of library employers on job negotiations as both employers and as job seekers

National 2016 Conference, 29 August-2 September 2016 Adelaide: Engage Create Lead.
 
[Peer reviewed] This conference paper reports on a research project that considered the perceptions, expectations, and behaviors of library employers on job negotiations as both employers and as job seekers.  A survey was used to collect demographic data, including gender, age, position, and type of library respondents work in,  as well as data on respondents’ reasoning of why they did or did not withdraw an offer of employment, their level of comfort in negotiating, and how much flexibility they believe there was for negotiating job offers. The research question was addressed through quantitative analyses of responses to multiple choice questions and qualitative analyses of responses to open ended questions.

Subject
Conferences
Library employees
Negotiation
Negotiation in business

An investigation of the perceptions, expectations and behaviors of library employers on job negotiations as both employers and as job seekers

National 2016 Conference, 29 August-2 September 2016 Adelaide: Engage Create Lead
 
This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) supports the paper which reports on a research project that considered the perceptions, expectations, and behaviors of library employers on job negotiations as both employers and as job seekers.  A survey was used to collect demographic data, including gender, age, position, and type of library respondents work in,  as well as data on respondents’ reasoning of why they did or did not withdraw an offer of employment, their level of comfort in negotiating, and how much flexibility they believe there was for negotiating job offers. The research question was addressed through quantitative analyses of responses to multiple choice questions and qualitative analyses of responses to open ended questions.
 

Subject
Conferences
Library employees
Negotiation
Negotiation in business

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