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Health Libraries Australia Professional Development Day, 18 & 19 July 2019 Melbourne: All about data - what do health librarians need to know in the data driven world of ehealth?

This presentation (PowerPoint slides) presents the PD Day program and provides supporting promotional information.

eHealth and big data are driving massive change in the health sector. Librarians are continually challenged to be ‘data intelligent’ and to extend their skills in the use, visualisation and application of data and to support their clients’ data literacy. Librarian’s working in health science or inside health agencies and organisations are uniquely positioned to support the optimal use of data to support scientific research and the delivery of and improvements in health and medical care for individuals and the community.

This year the PD Day will combine keynote presentations with lightning talks and hands on workshops around the following themes:

• Data science - what does this encompass?
• Research data management - is this a niche role for health librarians?
• Open data, open science, the reproducibility crisis and the future of scholarly publishing - should we champion open access and research rigour?
• Bibliometrics, altmetrics, open access - what do these mean for collection development?
• Data as the new evidence - has the published literature been gazumped?
• Big data, predictive analytics, precision medicine and clinical decision-making - do librarians have a role?
• AI - are there opportunities for librarians in data curation, metadata and linking?
• Digital literacy for consumers and health professionals - are librarians the best health literacy teachers?
• Data visualisation – tools, techniques and the role of the Librarian.

Fires, floods and failures: future proofing against disaster, 1 May 2019 Canberra

This conference presentation (PowerPoint slides) discusses how Libraries Australia can help organisations guard against information loss due to natural disasters, human error, library closures or system issues.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to this Inquiry into Local Government in WA.

We have two concerns. One is for ongoing and sustainable funding of resources and services through the State Library of WA. The second is for the significant additional investment in innovative new approaches which is needed in order to maintain a successful public library network across the state. This new funding cannot come exclusively from local government and there will need to be a substantial contribution from the state government.

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.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes the inclusion of education, arts and culture in the review of Social Infrastructure and the recognition of the vital role of libraries and other cultural institutions in supporting the quality of life, education, health and wellbeing of communities.

The 2019 Infrastructure Australia Audit report is a good summary of the issues facing National, State, Territory and public libraries. The growth in demand for physical spaces and digital access has rarely been accompanied by any increase in operating budgets and this is something we regularly raise with governments at all three levels. While investment in school libraries is briefly touched on, there is no mention of the disparity between library facilities in public and private schools. We would like to see this articulated in the Australian Infrastructure Plan and a focus on government school libraries included in the Infrastructure Priority List.

ALIA Information Online 2019 Conference, 11-15 February 2019 Sydney: Infinite Possibilities

This conference paper presents the results of a survey of Australian academic library social media managers, co-ordinators and contributors on the ways in which their libraries use social media, particularly Twitter, their strategies, and how success is defined and measured.

Notice of meeting, agenda and special resolutions of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) 31st Annual General Meeting held on 21 May 2019 at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Studies, Canberra.

Special resolutions to amend the ALIA Constitution including the restructuring of the Board to allow for a two-year presidential term and several other largely minor amendments to ensure consistency within the document and compliance with the requirements of the Corporations Law.

Explanation of special resolutions to amend the ALIA Constitution considered at the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 21 May 2019 at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Studies, Canberra.

Special resolutions to amend the ALIA Constitution including the restructuring of the Board to allow for a two-year presidential term and several other largely minor amendments to ensure consistency within the document and compliance with the requirements of the Corporations Law.

The fundamental principles according to which the Australian Library and Information Assocation (ALIA), a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, is governed effective to 17 May 2017 with proposed amendments for consideration at the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 21 May 2019 at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Studies, Canberra.

Amendments include the restructuring of the Board to allow for a two-year presidential term and several other largely minor amendments to ensure consistency within the document and compliance with the requirements of the Corporations Law.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) brief submission in response to the issues paper supports the appointment of a National Data Commissioner to oversee data sharing and release.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) supports freedom of access to public library and information services to enable all community members to participate and contribute to society, to actively contribute to social inclusion, and to enable people to contribute to the economic wellbing of their famiies and the nation.

This document highlights the diversity of public library services. They support literacy and reading for pleasure; lifelong learning; arts, culture and local heritage; cybersafety and digital inclusion. They promote the work of Australian writers and creators; provide safe spaces for meetings, study, work and relaxation; ensure that people have freedom of access to the information they need for personal development, health, wellbeing and active participation in our democratic society, and help people connect with egovernment.

Asia-Pacific Library and Information Conference 2018, 30 July - 2 August 2018 Gold Coast: Roar Leap Dare

This conference poster presentation accompanied the talk "Vision 2021: a renewed vision for Queensland public libraries". The statewide vision for public libraries serves a number of functions, from advocacy, to strategic planning, to supporting business cases and funding applications. It sits alongside the standards and provides a complimentary high level view of the direction public libraries should be heading in over the life of the document. It must be both aspirational and attainable, and there must be room for local interpretation of the vision. 

The poster explores the lifecycle of a multi-year Vision from development to implementation through to the review and re-development stage, and presents:

• Background and context of the project
• Methodology of data collection and analysis
• Key themes of the future public library
• Strategies to communicate, implement, interpret and enact the statewide vision
• Barriers to realising the vision
• Maintaining relevancy in a changing environment

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) emphasises the role of public libraries in support of open government and digital tranformation through helping users to discover, access and use data. Libraries are trusted places, promoting equity and freedom of access to information and resources. They provide a valuable platform for government communication and public education initiatives. For Open Government to be successful and universal, the National Action Plan must actively engage the public library network, otherwise it will fail to reach people who are on the fringes through lack of internet connectivity, issues of affordability or limited digital skills.

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.

Asia-Pacific Library and Information Conference 2018, 30 July - 2 August 2018 Gold Coast: Roar Leap Dare

This conference paper discusses several cross-departmental projects under the National Library Board (Singapore)'s Operations Remake journey. Each case study details the problem statement, solution and enabler(s), impact indicators, and value created for users, staff pool and the organization. The included projects drive towards encouraging customer independence in areas such as transactional services and collection navigation, and resource optimization within the organization. These projects examine the manner library users interact with the library environment and technologies, and improving the daily operational duties of the staff pool.

Highlighted projects include:

• Fully automated, immediate and independent membership registration process for new users therein bringing greater convenience and less barriers to entry
• Crowd sensing technology to manage crowd and seat searching behaviour in larger library premises
• Mobile devices to enable staff pool to rove the library spaces and yet remain contactable
• Collection shelving optimization to improve customer experience in collection retrieval and increase collection turnover rate

The case studies will show the need for innovation and process remake in pursuit of improvement that are impactful and scalable, and how technology can be leveraged to assist the delivery of library services and improve staff productivity. The projects will provide perspectives on how to achieve optimization and inspire libraries to embark on a journey to remake their operations.

In 2012, Australian libraries and library associations came together behind the National Year of Reading, linking together all the great things that are already happening around books, reading and literacy, and giving them an extra boost, with inspirational programs and events taking place across the country.

There were more than 4,000 events, $5.6 million in in-kind support, $26 million-worth of media coverage, much of it highlighting the fact that nearly half the population struggles without the literacy skills to meet the most basic demands of everyday life and work. There are 46% of Australians who can't read newspapers; follow a recipe; make sense of timetables, or understand the instructions on a medicine bottle.

Following on from the success of the campaign, the 15 founder partners decided to carry forward the Love2read brand into 2013, making the most of the momentum that had been created during the National Year of Reading. In 2017, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and book industry partners broadened the campaign into the Australian Reading Hour.

Asia-Pacific Library and Information Conference 2018, 30 July - 2 August 2018 Gold Coast: Roar Leap Dare

This conference paper presents a holistic assessment of the formation of the TAFE Queensland Library Network and the management and organisational strategies taken to respond to the challenges of providing library services in the current Vocational Education and Training sector. TAFE Queensland recently became an independent statutory body and was then amalgamated from six RTOs into one. The TAFE Queensland Library Network was one of the first business units to amalgamate on a state-wide basis. These changes have happened in the context of transformations to pedagogy with an increased focus on online learning and in a restrictive fiscal environment.

This paper will document and analyse these changes in two ways:

• Firstly, by reconstructing the history of the transformation and document the management and organisational decisions taken to realise the necessary changes
• Secondly, by analysing the qualitative and quantitative data from staff and stake holder surveys and feedback we will assess the success and challenges that we have encountered and how that has compelled us to make modifications to our approach. Attention will be paid to measuring the success of providing better access and increased support and resources to the student and staff across a considerable geographical region. 

The paper will detail how 21 staff libraries across 6 regional areas in a territory roughly five times the size of Japan were transformed into one network and the work undertaken to ensure the TQLN could fulfil TAFE Queensland’s requirements for consistent resources, licencing and educational outcomes. It will present and analyse the introduction of a unified management team, one customer service strategy, and common information and digital literacy programs. The paper will detail the soft and cultural changes necessary to generate team dynamics and inclusion and the ways that cross-campus teams were used to apply contemporary technological solutions.  Special attention will be paid to the processes and technology required to unify the six different catalogues into one and deploy a single library website. Crucially important has been the shift to a shared cross-campus IT architecture in the shape of One Spydus, EBSCO Databases Subscription and EZproxy authentication. 

Asia-Pacific Library and Information Conference 2018, 30 July - 2 August 2018 Gold Coast: Roar Leap Dare

This conference poster presentation outlines the various programs and services offered by South Taranaki District Council (STDC) Library, New Zealand.

Abstract: South Taranaki is a rural region of the North Island of New Zealand. The region was voted the 2nd best visitor destination in the world by Lonely Planet magazine in 2016.  Our combined population is (at last census) 26,577 – which is less than 1% of the population of New Zealand. In spite of the geographical isolation and relative small population I believe we ‘punch well above our weight’ in services, programmes and member experience. The seven libraries in the cohort share the Koha catalogue with Stratford Library and also our e-audio selection with the much larger Puke ariki in New Plymouth.

This poster will outline the various opportunities that STDC LibraryPlus offer our members, from the Ronald Hugh Morrieson Creative Writing Competition (in its 30th year) through to our ever popular services for adult customers and young readers alike.  I will demonstrate the ways we support and facilitate knowledge creation in our communities. I will provide statistics; outline our unique programmes and show photos as evidence to support. Our Comic- Con Day held in May continues to grow each year and is the ONLY such event on International Comic Book Day between Palmerston North and Hamilton – we receive visitors from New Plymouth and Wanganui (both over 1 hour from Hawera) every year. Each of our libraries (including Kaponga which is open just 20 hours per week) has an Ultimaker3D printer. Recently a student from New Plymouth printed his own 3D printer on our Eltham one – it was the closest 3D printer to his home.  In Patea library, toddler Tai Chi is available, Hawera has Funtastic Fridays and Maker space Wednesdays. In short, we are small but mighty.

Asia-Pacific Library and Information Conference 2018, 30 July - 2 August 2018 Gold Coast: Roar Leap Dare

This conference poster presentation outlines the experience of the National Institute of Education Library, Singapore (NIE Library) in the implementation of a virtual reality (VR) library tour.

Virtual reality (VR) provides a computer generated 3D environment that surrounds a user and responds to that individual’s actions in a natural way. Organisations are using VR solutions for training, space visualization and product evaluation as VR solutions have become increasingly accessible while offering a scalable, user friendly and an immersive experience for users.

Leveraging on the accessibility of such technology solutions, the NIE Library experimented with 360-degree digital camera and VR software tools to create a VR library tour experience for library users. While NIE Library has been providing an overview of the Library facilities and resources through the Library website, users may merely be getting snapshots of the Library through images and textual descriptions of Library facilities and resources. To excite library users in getting to know the library better, the NIE Library explored the use VR solutions with the objective of providing an immersive VR library tour experience for library users.

This poster presentation describes NIE Library experience in implementing a VR library tour, including the process of capturing 360-degree VR views of the library using 360-degree digital camera and the incorporation of media elements such as photos, annotations, textual descriptions and contextual floor plans using VR software tools. As part of the poster presentation, NIE Library will show case the VR library tour using tablets onsite and share observations, impacts, techniques, challenges, benefits, experiences and key learning points with other libraries who are considering employing VR solutions in their library.

Asia-Pacific Library and Information Conference 2018, 30 July - 2 August 2018 Gold Coast: Roar Leap Dare

This conference poster presentation outlines the impact of emerging technologies on academic libraries.

Virtual Reality [VR], Augmented Reality [AR] 360° video technology, and more recently holography, stands to be one of the most disruptive suites of technologies affecting organisations, including the education and library sectors. While educators are investigating how these technologies may enrich learning experiences, libraries are developing digital literacy programmes to enable their communities to experience emerging technologies which are impacting upon the way we live our lives. Academic libraries are exploring ways to make the range VR, AR, 360° and holographic technologies more accessible to staff and students across the university, regardless of faculty affiliation or degree programme. This includes seeking out content for the platforms – content provision being the traditional responsibility of the university library. Where the technology, content and the user intersect is where unforeseen opportunities to innovate are occurring, and Libraries, such as QUT Library, are in the unique position of being able to bring those three elements into contact.

There are many challenges in this space, and an approach would be to scope and the solve the problems: problem-led innovation. Alternatively, there is opportunity-led innovation - a “let’s see where this goes” approach. It is a more transformative mind-set and one which necessarily challenges existing processes, attitudes, and structures. The catalyst for one opportunity-led experience at QUT Library was the purchase of a specific piece of high-end VR technology – the Oculus Rift. Centred on how the Rift was acquired and deployed, this paper will share both top-down and bottom-up perspectives of opportunity-led innovation.

Firstly, the perspective of a senior library manager whose goal is to challenge internal barriers to innovation; empower staff to become intrapreneurs; to create and influence an organisational culture within which creativity and experimentation may flourish; and where ideas can go from inspiration to implementation. This is a stage on a continuum of cultural change at QUT Library, one which will ensure library services and staffs are in a good position to adapt and reinvent in the face of constant flux.

Secondly, the perspective of a faculty librarian thriving in a climate where intuition and risktaking is rewarded, where open-ended experimentation is encouraged, and where – if the established processes and procedures are barriers – the ‘done thing’ can be challenged, rules can be bent or bypassed and the end point is allowed to be fuzzy. This openness also means there is space for the client to step into, to co-create solutions and services which meet “authentic demand”.

It may all burn down delightfully in the end, but this in itself is a valid outcome of risk-taking, and may even be the most valuable contribution to fostering a culture of innovation.

Asia-Pacific Library and Information Conference 2018, 30 July - 2 August 2018 Gold Coast: Roar Leap Dare

This conference poster presentation outlines the fieldwork experience of an information professional in the Philippines.

What does it mean to be an information professional? My understanding of this question was recently challenged during a student fieldwork placement at Tondo Congressional Library, located in an impoverished area of Manilla in the Philippines. In Australia, a library fieldwork placement is an opportunity for students to develop their information management and knowledge skills in a real world setting. However this fieldwork experience taught me there is more to being an information professional than just these skills. The outreach service provided by Tondo Congressional Library included activities such as reading stories to sick children in hospital, highlighting a deep awareness of meeting humans at their point of need, and demonstrating a different professional capacity beyond traditionally valued library skills. This presentation will explore my inner and outer journey during this fieldwork placement and how I now conceptualise what ‘be’-ing an information professional is, not just ‘do’-ing.

A focus on customer service has been core to my work experiences in Australian libraries and how this is defined has varied depending on the institution involved. Prior to my experience in the Philippines I had a preconception that libraries with the best resources offered better customer service as the information and resource needs of customers are met beyond expectation. However since my fieldwork placement in the Philippines I have come to realise that a library with very limited resourcing can still provide quality customer service. My experience taught me that library patrons have other needs that go beyond information needs. As part of this fieldwork placement I read stories as an outreach activity to street children who could not afford to go to school and it was common practice to provide complimentary food (a basic need) as part of the library’s mission. From this experience I have come to understand that a holistic approach to customer service is valuable no matter where in the world this service happens.

Immersion into a world where information needs are secondary to that of basic human needs made me question what it means to serve customers. Tondo Congressional Library provides the same standard library services as what you would find in other public libraries around the world. They provide information and literary resources to customers, connect them in a digital world and answer standard directional enquiries such how to find the nearest toilet. However their outreach programs involve services going above and beyond what would be considered standard service in Australia. Some may view these outreach activities as not core library services, but I believe it is relevant to acknowledge the humanity and life experiences of every library customer.

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) promotes the free flow of information and ideas through open access to recorded knowledge, information and creative works. This is a core value of the Association.

HLA News: National News Bulletin of Health Libraries Australia - The national health group of the Australian Library and Information Association

Contents: In our sights: the scoping review -- Convenor's focus -- Resources for health librarians working with researchers and data -- Find yourself in a library: participate in Library and Information Week -- Getting creative with library outreach at Dementia Australia -- HLA PD Day keynote speaker announcement -- Member spotlight: Alice Anderson -- 2018 professional development opportunities.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is working to support neighbours in the Asia-Pacific region through accreditation of library and information science education, promotion of professional networks, and the development of partnerships. ALIA recommends the forum formally recognise the importance of access to information for all and acknowledge and the need for library collaboration across the Region.

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.

A template document for the Manual for developing policies and procedures for Australian school library resource centres that can be used to update or prepare your own school library copy. Its aim is to develop the policies and document the procedures that are essential for exemplary management practices. The implementation of these policies and procedures will ensure that there is equitable access to resources for all users. A school library resource centre that is well managed is in the best possible position to offer the range of library programmes and services that are essential to the endeavours of the school community.

The Manual contains nine sections, a glossary, references and appendices. Each section comprises two parts, that for the policy and the second for its procedures. There are two versions of the Manual, one that includes images and one that is text only. 

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes this opportunity to respond to the Australian Government Soft Power Review.

ALIA, Australian libraries and library and information professionals have a role to play in a number of areas, including:

• Working with colleagues in the Asia-Pacific to progress the UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Promoting Australia’s creative industries, especially in the area of literature
• Furthering cultural understanding within our region and internationally
• Supporting the preservation and digitisation of local archives and records
• Accrediting education, promoting professional networks, information sharing and capacity building for library and information workers
• Supporting the development of Blue Shield national committees in the region, to promote disaster planning and awareness for cultural institutions.

ALIA Asia Pacific Special Interest Group (ALIA APSIG) was a national group that aimed to lead efforts in identifying new sources of support for the development between information professionals in the region, through two-way co-operation. It also aimed to provide a forum for members to discuss regional professional issues and to communicate these to the appropriate forum; hosts public talks relating to relevant issues; and produce a membership newsletter three times per year.

This submission from the Australian Libraries Copyright Committee (ALCC) to the Copyright Modernisation Review consultation supports the government's goal to modernise Australian copyright law to enable fair use of material by libraries and archives.