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Government library and information professionals connect politicians and government employees to the essential information they need to make decisions based on facts, not fiction. The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) calls for all state, territory and federal government departments to have equal access to quality information and resources, managed by qualified library and information professionals.

Since 2015, ALIA has been the lead association for discussions with the Australian Government and other stakeholders about the role that libraries play in contributing to the delivery of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). We have been working to assist Australian library and information professionals and their organisations to be part of this international drive for greater social equality, improved economic prosperity and a more sustainable environmental approach. Our initiatives are based on three roles for libraries: (1) Supporting freedom of access to information outcomes; (2) Providing examples of success, which can be used as part of Australia’s reporting; and (3) Helping to communicate the 2030 Agenda to the general population.

ALIA could list projects and achievements for all 17 goals, but instead have chosen the 10 goals which best relate to the Australian experience and where we have the strongest examples of library contributions nationally and in each of our states and territories. Goal 1 No poverty -- Goal 3 Good health and well-being -- Goal 4 Quality education -- Goal 5 Gender equality -- Goal 8 Decent work and economic growth -- Goal 9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure -- Goal 10 Reduced inequalities -- Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities -- Goal 16 Peace and justice strong institutions -- Goal 17 Partnerships for the goals

Library Lovers' Day 2018: love letters to libraries [card]

14 February is Library Lovers’ Day – a chance for Australia’s 8 million library users to show their appreciation of these much loved institutions. And this year, we’ll be publishing love letters to libraries from some of our top authors. Would you like to add a quote to our collection?

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

This conference paper discusses the marketing and promotion of digital collections through social media.

Digital cultural collections sites represent a large investment for cultural institutions but often marketing and promotion of these collections take a significant amount of time. While many institutions excel at marketing and promotion at face-to-face events, they may find it difficult to maintain the time and energy to keep promoting resources on social media. Social media is vital for cultural institutions that use web statistics to justify the expense of digital cultural collections. In this paper, the authors will discuss time-saving, practical social media approaches for promoting digital cultural collections sites, such as the Living Histories @ UON site, using a targeted approach which goes beyond traditional social media engagement. The authors will discuss their practical experiences raising awareness of the Living Histories site and enhancing community engagement by designing and executing a multi-pronged social media ‘campaign’.

The correlation between posting on social media and page hits will be demonstrated using quantitative analysis of statistical web data. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest will be some social media tools used. Some strategies utilized include: a Twitter bot, targeting content to specific user groups (i.e. a Facebook group), automated social media posting, participating in global social media events (i.e. Explore Your Archive week), blogging and asking affiliated users and groups to post content on their accounts.  The authors will report on which strategy and which social media platform was most successful in drawing users to the Living Histories site. Strategies that failed at engagement will also be discussed.

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

This conference paper [peer reviewed] presents an innovative case study of a curriculum integration research project which began in late 2011 with the integration of academic and information literacy (AIL) skills into the undergraduate programme of Pacific Studies at university.

Challenging the traditional ways of raising, embedding and sustaining student outcomes and success in tertiary institutions for diverse minority learners and equity groups is essential. Crucial to the success of the project is the application and implementation of indigenous Pacific pedagogies and approaches in student engagement, teaching and learning, the active support of the Head of Department and a collective partnership approach between academics, Libraries and Learning Services, and other teams.

The project included curriculum mapping to the University Graduate Profile, a three year research survey exploring the AIL skills of 1st year and 3rd year Pacific students, ongoing student feedback, evaluations, and project enhancements. The authors examine the implications and outcomes of Pacific AIL (PAIL) integration which include: assignment questions and assessments; essay guides; First Year Experience (FYE) Targeted Learning sessions; the development of marking rubrics and their implementation in Stage 1 courses and beyond; and the inclusion of skill based workshops into the existing Pacific Studies academic enhancement programme, Vaka Moana. Future developments and sustainability of the ‘cross team’ approach in curriculum integration for student success outcomes are discussed.

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

This conference paper discusses networking and its importance to the continuing health and development of libraries.

While library professionals are creating a welcoming and vibrant local library environment, I want to argue that networking is vital to the vibrancy of the profession, to professional development of the library professional and the richness of the lived library life. I will be using network theory to suggest that networking can add an incredible depth of richness to the local library experience. I will be touching on “small world theory” – who are the connectors in your community? Who are the people who have the time to connect to other people in your community? Small world theory arises out of the 6 degrees of separation phenomena; that through just 5 steps or 6 degrees of separation we can connect to almost anyone on the planet. How can we use this in libraries to connect ideas and learnings?

I will also talk about “lifecycles of emergence”, which is an idea that networks change the world, or, in our case, libraries, through a fourfold process – name, connect, nourish, illuminate. The world doesn't change one person at a time.  It changes as networks of relationships form among people who discover they share a common cause and vision of what is possible. I will then talk about ‘thick networks’. As George Monbiot has written “creating what practitioners call “thick networks”: projects that proliferate, spawning further ventures and ideas that weren’t envisaged when they started. They then begin to develop a dense, participatory culture that becomes attractive and relevant to everyone…” How can libraries and library professionals become the creators of these “thick networks” and how will that change how we do things?

Lastly, I will touch on “Modality and Sodality” theory. A modality is an organisational structure that is designed for long-term stability. It establishes routines and typically stays in one place for an extended period. Libraries are an example of a modality. A sodality is a group structure that is designed for mobility and trans-local activity. Their goal is not permanent residency, but seasonal, itinerant residency, that is marked with transition and travel. We, as library professionals, can be seen as a sodality.

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

[Peer reviewed] This conference paper builds on previous research that evaluated the impact of an embedded online academic and information literacy module into the Learning and Management System (LMS) of a first year university business course. The research findings concluded:

“this resource contributed to student success, and that staff and student satisfaction with the resource contributed to increased confidence with student academic skills and information literacy in respect to their assignment task. Assessing the impact of the online resource on student success has helped to demonstrate the value of the library at Griffith University to the wider community” (Rae & Hunn. 2015 p. 1)

Since the original module was created and embedded into the LMS for a single course in 2014, the provision of these inpidual, assessment specific, online modules has expanded into all levels of Business School undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Academic interest has piqued due to the movement into blended learning offerings at Griffith University demanding equitable access to academic and information literacy support.  Data was gathered over the years 2014 to 2017 on unique users and page views of the modules. Usage has leaped from 4,442 page visits by 910 unique users in one course in 2014, to 271,556 page visits by 12,456 unique users in 45 different courses in 2017. 

Whilst the learning analytics of the data gathered continues to indicate positive impact on students and so supports the continued and increased provision of these resources, other issues around sustainability have arisen and need to be addressed. The aim of this paper is to examine how the use of an e-learning maturity model can help  address issues of sustainability  that arise as part of supporting an online approach to academic and information literacy support. 

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.

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

This conference paper discusses the creation of a role dedicated to embedding evidence-based practice into Australian academic libraries. By explicitly positioning evidence-based practice so prominently within USQ Library we are taking a leap forward, using local, professional and research evidence to transform our collections, spaces and services in response to ever-evolving client needs.

Over the past two decades, evidence-based practice and its application to library and information science has been an ongoing topic of discussion among researchers and practitioners. Evidence-based practice refers to a structured process of collecting, interpreting and applying valid and reliable research and evidence to support decision making and continuous service improvement in professional practice. Earlier research focused on how librarians perceive and experience evidence-based practice, and the benefits of doing so.  In 2016, the University of Southern Queensland Library chose to intentionally incorporate evidence-based practice, by creating a role explicitly dedicated to enabling capacity among staff and to develop the library’s evidence base. While other libraries may have a person responsible for analysing data and statistics, the Coordinator, Evidence-based Practice, is charged with a broader mandate – to work with library staff to develop tools, skills and expertise in evidence-based practice. By doing this, we aim to enable the library to demonstrate value to stakeholders, gain a deeper understanding of clients’ needs and experiences, promote robust decision making and improve service delivery.

This paper draws on recent research and the broader, existing understanding of evidence-based library and information practice to describe why this role was created and how the Coordinator, Evidence-based Practice is working to engage with library staff to understand their business and the evidence needed to support business improvement for the Library.  The paper will discuss how we have supported a culture of evidence-based practice and the benefits of having a dedicated role has had on building the capacity of library staff as evidence-based practitioners. USQ Library is still at the beginning of the journey in developing, not only the evidence-based practice function, but also harnessing the potential of the local evidence base to support the university’s strategic goals and objectives. The new role of Coordinator, Evidence-Based Practice, demonstrates evidence-based practice in action.  It represents a clear strategic and intentional commitment by decision makers to make evidence-based practice a visible, embedded and valuable part of professional practice at USQ Library. 

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

This conference paper discusses the opportunities for libraries to create new user experiences through augumented reality (AR) technology.

AR technology embeds virtual information into the real world environment. A collaboration between Kāpiti Coast District Libraries, Wellington City Libraries, and a local tech start-up ScimitAR, led to the development of an AR “ScavengAR Hunt”, launched in both libraries during the October school holidays. Our aims were to:

• provide existing customers with new ways of discovering and interacting with library spaces and collections
• attract new customers to visit our libraries

Thanks to dynamic leaps through the development and test phases, the app went live at the end of week one of the holidays.  We directed customers to use Android devices (BYOD or library-provided) to complete five AR challenges located throughout any of our branch 15 libraries. We wanted to deliver a “whole of community” experience, so ensured the challenges were self-correcting (users could identify the correct answer through a process of elimination) and visual (users did not need to read text to solve each challenge). Once all five challenges were successfully completed, the app directed customers to collect an AR-enabled bookmark that brought a “Mahi the Moa” character to life.

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 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.

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.

As a member of IFLA, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) has been an active participant in IFLA’s International Advocacy Programme. ALIA has been working to assist Australian library and information professionals and their organisations to be part of this international drive for greater social equality, improved economic prosperity and a more sustainable environmental approach.

ALIA recommends (1) that the importance of libraries in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) be acknowledged within the committee’s report, opening the way for further partnerships with government, academia and civil society, to progress the 2030 Agenda; (2) Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee to consider and comment on the potential for libraries to be SDG awareness and information hubs, promoting the global goals to people of all ages, in communities across the nation.

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) 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.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) submission in response to the Australian Human Rights Commission Human Rights and Technology Issues Paper highlights the roles libraries play in supporting equitable access to new technologies and in helping people learn the skills they need to benefit from the digital age.

Every special library is likely to experience the review process at some point, often triggered by changes in the parent organisation. It is important to remember that while a review is challenging, it is also an opportunity to reinforce messages about the role and value of the library and information service. The review process can result in the reduction of some library and information services, but others find themselves coming out of the process in an even stronger position. How you and your colleagues approach the review can significantly impact on the outcomes for your library and information service. This guidance, based on the experiences of other libraries, suggests ways to navigate the process.

ACOC 2018 Seminar, 13 August 2018 Canberra: resource description for the 21st century 

The seminar, organised by the Australian Committee on Cataloguing (ACOC), provides an opportunity to learn about the IFLA-LRM and how it will affect you, as well as the future of the RDA standard. It is of interest to all librarians, especially cataloguers, metadata creators and library system administrators. This seminar provides a rare opportunity to hear from the Chair of the RDA Steering Committee (RSC), Gordon Dunsire, who is visiting Australia and New Zealand on his way to IFLA in Malaysia. Gordon, along with Deborah Fritz, the legendary cataloguing trainer and consultant, will introduce the new look RDA and demystify the IFLA-LRM.

The seminar will also include news about the newly formed Oceania RDA Committee (ORDAC), a BIBFRAME update, and a demonstration of the new RDA Toolkit.

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) 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.

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.

ALIA SA report on the closure of special libraries in South Australia.

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.

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

This conference paper discusses the approach by University of Adelaide to improve research outcomes through reducing researcher time spent on administrative tasks; and through more effective storage and exposure of research outputs. The University’s organisational structure did not provide a clear pathway for a co-ordinated, enterprise wide approach; so a new, cross-portfolio researcher engagement process was designed and implemented. This paper will describe the partners and the processes - who is involved, how they work, and our successes and challenges. 

Technology Services and the Library collaboratively staff a three-tiered service model. The engagement is spearheaded by a Change Manager who works with key researchers to identify their pain points and identify an appropriate solution; then lead the implementation and uptake of the products and services to facilitate their work. The Change Manager is supported by the eResearch Project Librarian. This role, funded jointly by the Library and by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), assists in the design of new services, the identification of useful products, and in their implementation. Services include broad-based researcher support and training. Products include ORCiD, Researcher Profiles, figshare data repository for open data, online Data Management Records and Altmetric Explorer. The eResearch Librarian then works to upskill the third tier of research support: the Liaison Librarians.

Once a particular research tool is no longer a ‘project; and becomes part of ‘business as usual’ it becomes the responsibility of the Liaison Librarians. The Liaison Librarians are aligned to a Faculty portfolio to allow them to develop discipline specific skills. For example, the Liaison Librarian responsible for the Faculty of Arts has Digital Humanities expertise, whereas the Liaison Librarian with responsibility for the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences will develop deeper knowledge around de-identifying research data to allow open access. This discipline specific knowledge, in conjunction with relationships with researchers within their Faculties, makes the Liaison Librarians well placed to provide targeted ongoing support.

In 2017 the University rolled out an unprecedented number of research supporting technologies with resounding take-up by the University’s research community. The take-up is a clear measure of success for this approach. The Liaison Librarians learnt new skills and new ways of engaging with researchers. Library staff began to work more deeply and collaboratively with research support staff in Technology Services, Faculties and Schools and the Office of the Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Research), building credibility and prominence across the wider University. This cross-structural approach to research support has been a demonstrably successful model. The combination of resources provided by Technology Services and the Library provided both bandwidth and a diverse skill set which enabled new initiatives that would not have been possible by one business unit alone.

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) recognises that new forms of work have developed in response to the need for increased labour market flexibility. ALIA believes an appropriate, legal and fair employment policy balances the need for flexibility with protection for employees.

ALIA notes the increasing incidence of nonstandard work in Australian library and information services. The Association acknowledges the use of part-time, casual and genuine non-employee work, to the extent that it increases flexibility for both management and employees. However, the Association does not support the increasing casualisation of employment which is evident in some sectors

As the standards body for the library and information profession in Australia, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) establishes the formal qualifications required as a basis for entry to the profession. It is vital therefore that the Association promotes the principle that staff appointed to librarian and library technician positions hold qualifications appropriate to those positions. Where formal librarian or library technician qualifications are required for a particular position, this requirement should be articulated in the job description for the position.

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.