(12 October 2016, Canberra) Australia, New Zealand and Singapore library associations have agreed to work together to promote the library and information sector (LIS) across the three countries and will produce a joint conference in 2018 to be held at the Gold Coast.
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), the Library Association of Singapore (LAS) and the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote an innovation agenda by making information in all its forms accessible to some 20 million library users.
The organisations have agreed to:
- hold the library and information sector conference on the Gold Coast in 2018, which will provide the opportunity for more than 1,000 professionals from our three nations to share their knowledge and expertise with colleagues from across our library networks
- Represent the region’s library and Information sector at an international level through the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
- Collaborate and strengthen cultural responsiveness and accountability in libraries
- Promote digital access to collections across the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) sector.
Sue McKerracher, Chief Executive Officer of ALIA, said: ‘We are looking forward to working together to create opportunities with a truly international flavour, as well as building cultural links with some of our nearest neighbours.’
‘There’ll be opportunities to deepen links between countries, enhance cross-cultural understanding, and enable further access for the citizens of the three nations to share information about each other through increased digital access.’
Joanna Matthew, Executive Director of LIANZA, notes that: ‘LIANZA is thrilled to be working with ALIA and LAS to provide what is sure to be a thought-provoking and invigorating conference. We look forward to some great outcomes for librarians of all three countries through fostering these closer relationships.’
Judy Ng, President, Library Association of Singapore notes that: ‘LAS is looking forward to collaborate with ALIA and LIANZA on having an exciting conference in 2018. We look forward to deepening our relationships and greater sharing for the benefit of both the library profession and citizens of the three nations.’
The announcement in full is here.
