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ALIA Weekly Volume 8 Issue 46–18 November 2020
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 IN THIS ISSUE
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 JOIN NOW
Connect with the best, advance your career, and make a difference by getting involved. Become an ALIA Member today.
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 HEADLINES
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Representatives from ALIA, National and State Libraries Australia, and the National Archives of Australia all spoke before the Senate inquiry into Nationhood, national identity and democracy. These organisations argued for a national policy strategy for media literacy, and their presentations were featured in a recent Canberra Times article. ALIA will continue to advocate as part of the Australian Media Literacy Alliance for a national policy.
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ALIA | 29 January 2021
Nominations are open for the ALIA Board Election 2021. We are seeking nominations for the following positions: President, and two general Board members. All personal financial Members of the Association are eligible to nominate for the Board. The deadline for nominations is 29 January 2021.
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The Productivity Commission's report into mental health has been released and Volume II of the extensive findings mentions public libraries and ALIA's submission to the inquiry, across pages 387, 389 and 340. Additionally, six of the report's recommendations overlap with the work that both ALIA and libraries undertake.
- 5: Focus on children’s wellbeing across the education and health systems
- 6: Support the mental health of tertiary students
- 7: Equip workplaces to be mentally healthy
- 8: Support the social inclusion of people living with mental illness
- 15: Link consumers with the services they need
- 22: Best practice governance to guide a whole-of-Government approach
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ALIA | 30 November 2020
The deadline for the ALIA-run Australian Library Design Awards has been extended until 30 November 2020, recognising the difficulties would-be entrants are experiencing through COVID-19. Recently built, renovated, or refurbished libraries (between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2020) are eligible for entry. The awards are presented in partnership with Architecture AU, the State Library of Queensland, and Raeco.
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ALIA | 31 March 2021
The timeframe for the Digital Health Literacy online free training has been extended until 31 March 2021. This nationwide initiative provides training to library staff on how users can navigate and understand the new Federal Government digital health initiatives, such as My Health Record and assists libraries to better support their communities, and engage with other likeminded organisations. Register your interest to undertake this free training by emailing nicole.barnes@alia.org.au.
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ALIA groups and committees seek new members
Several ALIA special interest groups and/or committees are seeking new members including: the ALIA Community on Resource Description (ACORD); the ALIA New Generation Advisory Committee; and the ALIA Students and New Graduates Group.
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University and academic news
Earlier this year the Council of Australian University Librarians surveyed its members to understand how COVID-19 has affected them. The survey report can now be read online. Read the latest reports from Frontiers; and JISC on how academia has weathered COVID-19, and the future of higher education. You can also read the report, Education in remote and complex environments.
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School library and children's literacy news
The preliminary findings of the annual Softlink survey of school libraries across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific have been released. Read the participant summaries by location. Another father has learned the joy of reading with his son, read The Guardian opinion article on the experience.
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Public library news
In NSW, Grenfell Public Library is preparing for the holiday season; Marrickville Library was praised at the recent National Trust Heritage Awards; Parkes Library has reopened after its $3.4 million dollar extension was completed; and on 2 December Port Macquarie-Hastings Library is hosting a discussion on voluntary assisted dying. In Queensland, Caloundra is seeking feedback to create new public spaces for the city (which could include libraries). Across Western Australia public libraries have connected with kids via the video game Minecraft. Lastly, Children's Laureate Ursula Dubosarsky encourages children to visit their local public library in a recent video.
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National and State Library news
The State Library Victoria is partially reopening from 19 November 2020, the planned reopening was featured in these The Age and TimeOut articles. The National Library of Australia's user survey closes today 18 November; you can read the library's first Reconciliation Action Plan; and Trove's blog post Completing our wartime history. The State Library of QLD continues to run its free curator tours of its exhibition, Big Voices: children's art matters.
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Technology and online safety news
The eSmart Alannah and Madeline Foundation is running a series of workshops on media literacy topics. The importance of clear science communication has become critical in 2020, and The Conversation has raised three lessons on the topic. On the same issue, the News and Research Centre at the University of Canberra has released the report: Australian perspectives on misinformation.
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Arts and media news
A recent article published in The Conversation by author Gail Jones argues that Australian literature is severely underfunded; and the first Australian First Nations and People of Colour (FNPOC) in Publishing Network has been launched. Adelaide's second Aboriginal cultural institute will be fully operational by 2025; and 'endangered' Indigenous languages are being recorded by First Languages Australia. In other news, the Australian Museums and Galleries Association is seeking responses from GLAMR institutions about the impacts of COVID-19. In book awards news, the shortlists for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards 2020; the Dymocks Book of the Year 2020; the Walkley Book Award 2020; the winners of the Nib Literary Award; the Goldsmiths Prize; the Historical Novel Prize; the 2020 Ampersand Award; and the Giller Prize were all announced. In related news, Hachette Australia has launched a new online hub to help booksellers and librarians. Interested parties can now access publicity magazines, downloadable pre-sized marketing materials, and submit their requests for author events and signings. Last but not least, publisher Pan Macmillan is in the process of finalising its contractual relationship with celebrity chef Pete Evans following inappropriate social media posts.
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 INTERNATIONAL
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IFLA news
The latest 10-Minute International Librarian has been released, this one is on identifying and resolving issues. IFLA has also published its six-part discussion on Wikicite, each video focuses on a different aspect of the platform.
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International news
In New Zealand, Upper Hutt Libraries has introduced a zero fines initiative. In the UK, there are calls for bookshops to be classified as essential; there are concerns that academic ebooks are excessively expensive; and the question has been raised, should British museums sell to stay afloat? In the US, Chicago Public Library recently scrapped library fines and has seen positive benefits; COVID-19 has changed reference services for public and academic libraries; and libraries across the nation have needed to adapt. In The Netherlands, some public libraries are removing books which feature the controversial character Zwarte Piet after ongoing protests that the character is racist. Several rare stolen books, including works by Isaac Newton and Galileo Galilei, have been returned to their owners following a police investigation. Here are seven international libraries you can explore from your living room.
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 WHAT'S ON
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What's On lists ALIA events, ALIA group events and free library and information sector activities for the benefit of ALIA Members.
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ALIA | 3 December 2020
ALIA’s Special Libraries Working Group and AGLIN (the Australian Government Library Information Network) are keen to focus on turning what special libraries have learned from COVID-19 to their advantage and leveraging those learnings to advocate for libraries. Special library guest speakers David Church and Rolf Schafer will share their lessons and learnings from COVID-19, then participate in a lively Q&A session hosted by ALIA CEO Sue McKerracher. Register by 3 December for this free virtual discussion.
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 The Equality Project | 13-19 November 2020
This week, 13-19 November 2020, is Transgender Awareness Week. The week is about bringing attention to issues of prejudice, discrimination and violence that affect trans and gender diverse people. The week culminates with Trans Day of Remembrance on 20 November.
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ALIA QLD | 18 November 2020
Registrations are open for webinar 4 Panel Discussion, in the ALIA QLD Webinar Series: Survivor 2020. The webinar will take place on 18 November 2020.
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City of South Perth Libraries | 18 November 2020
Join City of South Perth Libraries on 18 November for the latest in its online series, Words with Wine. Author Claire Coleman will be logging on to chat about her novel The Old Lie and how her work relates to the 2020 NAIDOC theme 'Always was, always will be'.
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State Library of Queensland | 19 November 2020
The State Library of Queensland is hosting a free online discussion on the impact of photography. The talk takes place on 19 November 2020.
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State Library of NSW | 20 November 2020
The State Library of NSW is hosting a free online talk where curator Maria Savvidis looks at unique examples of artists’ books from the library’s special collections. The talk starts at 1:00pm AEDT on 20 November 2020.
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State Library Victoria | Various dates
The State Library Victoria is hosting a series of free online lectures discussing the future of different topics. The next lecture on 26 November is on The Future of Futures
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Library and Information Science Research Australia | 26 November 2020
The Research Assistance & Development for Australian Researchers Grant was run by Library and Information Science Research Australia aimed at fostering research activities in library and information science academics, and practitioners, to explore a research problem. You can attend the free online webinar at 1:00pm AEDT on 26 November.
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Digital Health Institute Summit | Various dates
The Digital Health Institute Summit is running both virtually and as in person events and features a range of interesting speakers. For more information see the website.
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ALIAWest | 5 December 2020
ALIAWest is hosting its in-person Great Library Scavenger Hunt on 5 December 2020. Stay tuned for more information.
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Society of Australian Genealogists | 12 December
The Society of Australian Genealogists is offering courses for those interested in learning how to track their family lineage. These courses are appropriate for ALIA Members.
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eSafety Commissioner | 9 February 2021
Next year's Safer Internet Day will be celebrated on 9 February. Libraries can register their interest to celebrate the day. This day is run by the Office of the eSafety Commissioner.
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 ALIA TRAINING
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ALIA and Speech Pathology Australia | 20 November 2020
In partnership with ALIA, Speech Pathology Australia has developed a professional development program free for ALIA Members. Developed by speech pathologists Dr Michelle Brown and Yvette Dempsey, you will be empowered with effective strategies for promoting children’s language and literacy development while reading books. Titled Language and Literacy: The power of reading, the program, part of Speech Pathology Australia’s Book of the Year Speechie Library Talks campaign, is a self-paced video-based program culminating with a Q&A session facilitated by Dr Michelle Brown. Registrations close 20 November at 12:00pm AEDT. This course is for ALIA Members only (please ensure you’re logged in to access course details and to register).
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ALIA | 13 January 2021
The need to address the challenges of the digital world and metadata users has resulted in the development of the new cataloguing record standard, RDA: Resource Description and Access, to replace AACR2. Registrations close 13 January 2021. For more information see the website.
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ALIA | 2 February 2021
The great challenge of this digital age we find ourselves is to ensure that what we do - the collection, preservation and management of information is done in a consistent manner which ensures it is identified and accessible in the future. Cataloguing remains one of the best tools we have to guarantee that information, irrespective of its format or content, can be accessed and understood. Registrations close 2 February 2021. For more information see the website.
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 FEATURED JOBS
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Employer: Tablelands Regional Council
Location: QLD
Closing date: 27 November 2020
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Employer: Bibliotheca
Location: WA and SA
Closing date: 30 November
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To advertise your job in ALIA Weekly contact employment@alia.org.au.
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 FREE PD
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Librarians are experts at the early literacy and performance skills that make storytime magical and virtual storytimes can be magical, too - even if they come with a few challenges.
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ALIA | Ongoing - register and commence at any time
This tutorial explores the need to capture, evaluate and communicate GLAM impact in new and different ways, given the impact of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. This tutorial is available to ALIA Members only, who must be logged in to register. For more information see the website.
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ALIA | Ongoing - register and commence at any time
ALIA Members can access ALIA's free tutorial on Working with software vendors which will help you get the most out of your working relationship with vendors in the library and information sector, including how to perform basic software testing, and write useful issue reports. ALIA Members can register and commence at any time. For more information see the website.
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ALIA Members can access more free PD in PD Postings, which comes out on the first Thursday of each month and provides quick access to selected, free learning activities. PD Postings features information specific to each PD specialisation. For more information contact pd@alia.org.au.
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Text is Creative Commons
Photos are copyright protected.
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The Australian Library and Information Association acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters, cultures and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
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