Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA SA)
The SAcommunity team has been inspired to look at some of the business and professional groups, associations and trade unions that operate across South Australia.
Joining these groups can provide opportunities to expand your networks and undertake professional development, they also can provide support for your career and the industry.
As librarians working on a community information directory, naturally we would look at the peak professional body in the library and information management field. This led us to ALIA, the Australian Library and Information Association and local ALIA SA State Manager Emily Wilson, to tell us more about joining the association.
Why join ALIA and become an ALIA member?
ALIA membership has the immediate benefit of discounts to ALIA conferences and events as well as access to ALIA’s INCITE magazine. ALIA is also keen to support members undertaking and tracking their ongoing professional development and they have developed software to assist in this regard.
How does my membership help the library industry?
Being a member means you are making a useful ongoing commitment to the profession. This is that your membership contributes to the library and information industry having a strong national professional association that can effectively work on your behalf. ALIA is the peak body for libraries, therefore given some of the assaults we are seeing on public institutions such as libraries, having such an advocacy organisation working effectively at the national level is more important than ever.
What has the association achieved to further the library industry?
With ALIA as the auspice body, and in partnership with National and State Libraries Australasia, we have been able to develop and build on National Standards, Guidelines and Outcome Measures for Australian Public Libraries. ALIA launched the latest version of this essential document at Parliament House in Canberra, in November last year, with the Shadow Attorney General and the Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science as guest speakers.
ALIA has provided strong advocacy for libraries at the federal level, aligning our services with government priorities in the Arts, Education, Industry and Innovation. The ‘Smart Cities’ booklet is an example of its work. Advocacy campaigns through ALIA’s FAIR platform include copyright law reform, cybersafety, funding for libraries and investment in library services, such as Trove.
The Association was behind the National Year of Reading 2012 and the National Early Literacy Summit in 2016. It has worked to bring together an alliance of early literacy partners, including Early Childhood Australia, to position public libraries as important players in the literacy landscape.
How has the industry supported library careers?
ALIA as our professional body, undertakes accreditation of library and information science courses in universities and TAFEs and ensures ongoing learning through the ALIA PD Scheme.
While this is a powerful list of achievements on our behalf, perhaps the best reason for joining is that together we are stronger.
For further information, visit ALIA SA to find out more about groups and events in SA or for membership, visit parent body www.alia.org.au or contact the ALIA Membership Team at membership@alia.org.au or 1800 020 071.
