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Minutes of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) 29th Annual General Meeting held on 17 May 2017 at ALIA House, Canberra.
 

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the review of the Higher Education Provider Category Standards and to express our view that:
 

• Providing a fit-for-purpose library and information service is a key characteristic for a quality higher education provider.
• An excellent student experience can only be achieved if students have access to the latest information resources relating to their field of study.
• Australian universities’ ability to compete with the best in terms of research requires a research infrastructure supported by libraries and library and information professionals.

 
As the Association representing library and information professionals, we seek to ensure that the Higher Education Standards Provider Category Standards reflect the need for students, researchers and educators to have ready access to quality library and information services, and to highlight the role of libraries as one of the differentiating factors between universities and other higher education providers.

Notice of meeting and agenda of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) 30th Annual General Meeting held on 15 May 2018 at the ALIA House, Canberra.

Each year the ALIA community recognises excellence in professional practice and research within the field of library and information management. When applying for a research grant, applicants must read the ethics guide and consider whether an ethics application is necessary for their proposed research.

Each year the ALIA community recognises excellence in professional practice and research within the field of library and information management. When applying for a research grant, applicants must read the ethics guide and consider whether an ethics application is necessary for their proposed research.

The Australian Library and Information Association’s (ALIA) move into a new building in Canberra in 1990 - 9-11 Napier Close, Deakin - was a major step for the Association. Over the years, ALIA Directors have debated the merits of retaining the building as the Association's main asset. After consultation with an Advisory Committee of long-term ALIA members and senior library leaders, the ALIA Board has made the decision to progress with the sale of the building. The property will be listed for sale in May 2020.
 
The financial status of ALIA is secure and stable. This decision has not been made because ALIA is in financial distress, but rather to safeguard the financial future of the Association. Our aim is to ensure the Association reaches its 100th anniversary in 2037 fit for purpose and in a strong and sustainable position. The sale will enable ALIA to create a substantial, flexible asset base, with several million dollars held in a balanced investment vehicle and it will relieve ALIA from the burden of property management and provide more flexibility for the future of the Association. There are no plans for ALIA to move from Canberra and, depending on the terms of the agreement, it is likely that the Association will remain in our current premises for at least three years post-sale and potentially longer.

The Australian Library and Information Association’s (ALIA) move into a new building in Canberra in 1990 - 9-11 Napier Close, Deakin - was a major step for the Association. Over the years, ALIA Directors have debated the merits of retaining the building as the Association's main asset. After consultation with an Advisory Committee of long-term ALIA members and senior library leaders, the ALIA Board has made the decision to progress with the sale of the building. The property will be listed for sale in May 2020.
 
The financial status of ALIA is secure and stable. This decision has not been made because ALIA is in financial distress, but rather to safeguard the financial future of the Association. Our aim is to ensure the Association reaches its 100th anniversary in 2037 fit for purpose and in a strong and sustainable position. The sale will enable ALIA to create a substantial, flexible asset base, with several million dollars held in a balanced investment vehicle and it will relieve ALIA from the burden of property management and provide more flexibility for the future of the Association. There are no plans for ALIA to move from Canberra and, depending on the terms of the agreement, it is likely that the Association will remain in our current premises for at least three years post-sale and potentially longer.

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.

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?

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.
 

Fires, floods and failures: future proofing against disaster, 1 May 2019 Canberra
 
This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) outlines the disaster responses, challenges and lessons learned in relation to the flooding of the Australian National University (ANU) Chifley Library.

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.

 
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.

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.