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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), through the Australian Public Library Alliance (APLA), has identified the need for an easy way for library services to identify, collate and report on the activities which contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This template identifies the 10 goals that are most appropriate to Australian libraries and provides ideas for the kinds of content under each goal.

ALIA Schools Professional Development Seminar, 17 March 2018 Glen Iris, Victoria: What does the 21st century school collection look like?

The seminar is for primary and secondary teacher librarians and others who are responsible for school library services. This presentation (PowerPoint slides) accompanies the keynote address which explores the concepts underpinning the creation and development of a modern school library collection.

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. 

Health Libraries Australia (HLA) is the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) national health libraries group. The terms of reference for the HLA Executive define the commitee's:

• responsibilities,
• portfolios,
• membership,
• terms of appointment,
• quorum,
• frequency of meetings; and
• reporting. 

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) believes people engaged in library and information services are members of a profession committed to act with integrity, ethics, trust, expertise and the promotion of public good.

Contents: Membership -- Meetings -- Summary of main activities -- Brief comments about how this work has aligned with the ALIA Strategic Plan -- Forward plans -- Summary of the sector/topic.

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.

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.

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.

Share it: Resource Sharing Futures Conference, 10-11 May 2018 Canberra

In collaboration with ALIA, Libraries Australia held Share it, a two-day resource sharing futures event. The aim of Share it was to discuss the current Australian resource sharing landscape and issues around the complex world of modern resource sharing. A further aim was to determine whether there is still a need for a national resource sharing service and, if so, to develop a resource sharing road map and action plan for Australia.

This document provides a summary of outcomes from the strategic workshop on day 2 of the conference. This invitation only workshop was attended by leaders, thinkers and experts in the Australian resource sharing arena, and provided an opportunity to elevate their thinking around the future of resource sharing.

Exercises for schools.

The 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is being celebrated around the world this year and there will be special events at the National Library of Australia and several State Libraries on 10 December 2018, in partnership with the UN Association of Australia.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights speaks to the values held by library and information professionals, and in May 2017, Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Members voted to include a new Object in our Constitution: "to endorse the principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in response to the many challenges faced by the world today and into the future."

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

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.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) has had requests for more detail on industry placement processes by some educators seeking guidance on best practice principles in industry placements. This document provides best practice guidelines for organising industry placements.

An industry placement provides an opportunity for students undertaking an ALIA accredited course to apply library and information science (LIS) theory and skills in an appropriately supervised practical professional industry environment. Professional experience is an essential requirement for students undertaking an ALIA accredited course at the diploma level. It is an expectation that every student graduating from an ALIA accredited course has completed the minimum industry placement at an appropriate professional level. Industry placement is not an opportunity for a host organisation to acquire free labour but an opportunity for the host to support the next generation of LIS professionals gain valuable professional experience. An industry placement is also different from a student volunteering for an organisation as an industry placement is formally and legally linked to the education provider and is an assessable part of an ALIA accredited course.

This document is superceded by "ALIA Guidelines for Industry Placement: Diploma of Library and Information Services" (2023)

In 2017 the ALIA International Relations Advisory Committee was formed to advise the ALIA Board on issues related to international affairs, advocate on the benefits both for individuals and the Association in international engagement, encourage international collaboration and sharing of ideas and build awareness within the Australian library community of involvement in various international initiatives.

This brief report provides an update of international activities as of January 2018.

Report on the Australian Government's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a universal, global approach to reduce poverty, promote sustainable development and ensure the peace and prosperity of people across the world. The SDGs reflect things that Australians value highly and seek to protect, like a clean and safe environment, access to opportunity and services, human rights, strong and accessible institutions, inclusive economies, diverse and supportive communities and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage. Our support for political, economic, social and religious freedoms is underpinned by our commitment to promote liberal democracy, the rule of law and the rules-based international order.

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.

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 Competency Mapping work has produced a list of health-related courses, events and programs offered in 2018 that are relevant to health librarians and technicians in Australia. The courses are also mapped to HLA's eight competency areas.

This document identifies and describes the ALIA Health Libraries Australia (ALIA HLA) eight competency areas. Health librarians, from novice to expert, need a basic understanding of each competency area:

1. The health environment
2. Reference and research services
3. Resources
4. Leadership and management
5. Digital, ehealth and technology
6. Health literacy and teaching
7. Health research
8. Professionalism

Contents: Membership -- Meetings -- Summary of main activities -- Brief comments about how this work has aligned with the ALIA Strategic Plan -- Forward plans -- Summary of the sector/topic.

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. 

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. 

Contents: Membership -- Meetings -- Summary of main activities -- Brief comments about how this work has aligned with the ALIA Strategic Plan -- Forward plans -- Summary of the sector/topic.

Exercises for conversation classes in public libraries.

The 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is being celebrated around the world this year and there will be special events at the National Library of Australia and several State Libraries on 10 December 2018, in partnership with the UN Association of Australia.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights speaks to the values held by library and information professionals, and in May 2017, Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Members voted to include a new Object in our Constitution: "to endorse the principles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in response to the many challenges faced by the world today and into the future."

The ALIA Interlibrary Lending Advisory Committee conducted a survey to gather information on current interlibrary loan and document delivery (ILL/DD) processes and practices in Australia. The aim of the survey was to take a snapshot of the ILL/DD environment in Australia in 2018, with a view to inform future directions.

This report outlines the findings of the survey, with some analysis and recommendations by the Committee. The information gathered will assist the Advisory Committee, and more broadly the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), in its quest to promote and improve the services provided by all kinds of library and information agencies.

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.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) requires members, both personal and institutional, to adhere to the highest standards of ethical practice and professional competence. All members are bound by the ALIA Constitution to act responsibly and to be accountable for their actions. The ALIA Code of Conduct establishes a common understanding of the responsibilities of members.

This document is superceded by "ALIA member code of conduct statement" (2020).

ALIA HLA professional development day, held 19 July 2018 at Kolling Building auditorium, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney. Featuring presentations:

• Keynote address: To be or not to be … the prospects for an Australasia PMC.
• Development of a new business model to support collaborative digital services - what does this mean for health libraries?
• ShareIt - Future Directions for Collections and Practice in Inter-library loans and Document Delivery.
• Mediated searches save clinicians’ time – the evidence.
• Video presentation - Putting a dollar value on your training and research services.
• The Polyglot Search Translator (PST): Evaluation of a tool for improving searching in systematic reviews: a randomized crossover trial.
• Literature Search Service Level Agreement…where it can take you…
• Information sources in indigenous health.
• Award Presentations.
• Integrated Care Search: Fast and Reliable Access to Integrated Care Research.
• Topic search filters: a systematic scoping review: A report on 2016 Anne Harrison Award project outcomes.
• Changing role of the academic health sciences librarian.
• Not just the usual performance metrics at NSLHD Library Service.
• When less means more: Improving information access through “Medicine Quick Links”.
• #RACSLibrary - Involvement in Social Surgeons Strategies at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
• HLA projects quick reports and Health Librarianship Strategic Directions 2020-25 – facilitated by Gemma Siemensma.