(29 Jul 2020) More than 600 academics from 36 Australian universities and members of the academic community have signed an open letter to federal and state education ministers calling for a return to a more democratic, cost-effective and functional structure for Australia’s universities. Australian universities are in crisis. Large-scale redundancies are announced almost daily, with estimates of up to 21,000 […]

(21 Jul 2020) A survey undertaken by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) shows that public libraries across Australia worked hard to meet, and exceed, patron needs during the nation-wide lockdown in April 2020. While public library buildings were physically closed, library workers continued to provide services including virtual storytimes, click and collect services and […]

(6 Jul 2020) Nominations are now open for the Australian Library Design Awards 2021. The awards, run by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), celebrate library design excellence. Libraries which had work completed between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2020 are eligible for entry under one of four award categories: School libraries, Academic libraries, […]

(27 Jun 2020) From the Canberran Times:  Canberrans will now have access to a new and improved treasure trove of information as the National Library launched its new program on Friday. More than 3000 Australians contributed to a new and improved Trove system, which was unveiled after four years of work. The federal government announced a […]

(17 Jun 2020) Public Libraries Victoria (PLV) is the peak body and collaborative service provider for public libraries in Victoria, with representation through institutional membership from every public library in the state. We are looking for an energetic and enthusiastic values driven leader, who is willing to help our sector go to the next level. To be […]

(28 May 2020)  From the executive summary of the report: This report, commissioned by the Council of Australian University Librarians, for delivery to the DVCsR Committee, provides an analysis of the challenges and opportunities arising from Plan S for Australian researchers and universities, including high-level recommendations on how Australian universities should proceed in order to […]

(27 May 2020)  The current crisis in relations with China has exposed the extreme delicacy and importance of Australia’s relationship with its Asian neighbours. One lesson of this crisis, highlighted by commentators across the political spectrum, is that Australia must prevent over-dependence on China by fostering closer relations with other regional neighbours, including Japan, South […]

(20 Apr 2020)  Australia will force Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google to share advertising revenue with local media firms, the country’s treasurer said on Monday, becoming one of the first countries to require digital platforms to pay for content they use. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the move comes after talks with Facebook and Alphabet failed […]

(31 Mar 2020) If this was normal life in Australia every week parents and grandparents would be walking their young children and pushing their baby strollers to Library Story Time and Rhyme time sessions. Unfortunately because of Coronavirus, Libraries are shut to the general public and only open to staff so there won’t be any Library […]

(9 Feb 2020) A new A$225 million (S$209 million) school in Sydney has caused a stir after it opened with state-of-the-art facilities – but no library. Instead, the Arthur Phillip High School in the Sydney district of Parramatta will have “iHubs”, which will have digital resources and some hard copy books. Other books will be available […]

(13 Jan 2020) Bushfires across Australia have completely destroyed the lives and habitats of wildlife in recent weeks, with some estimates putting the loss of animal life at one billion. A campaign launched this week by Selwyn Libraries in Canterbury is supplying materials, patterns and sewing machines to library users to manufacture pouches, wraps and nests desperately needed […]

(27 Dec 2019) Foster, about 170 kilometres south-east of Melbourne in Victoria’s Gippsland region, has a population of fewer than 1,200 people. The town’s library, a gathering point for the community, sits almost exactly in the middle of Main Street. About a month ago, 24/7 access was introduced to members — the first public library in Victoria […]

(10 Dec 2019) The State Library of Queensland is trialling a program in Brisbane where you can check out a “human book”. Once a month, library visitors will be able to borrow a real person with a unique story to share. Key points: ‘Human books’ originated in Denmark to counter stereotypes and discrimination The State Library is […]

(9 Dec 2019) With the rise of digital information early this century, the death of the library was predicted. Yet far from causing the demise of libraries, the digital revolution has led to libraries being reinvented and reinvigorated. Library staff are experts in knowledge systems and adept at seizing the possibilities presented by these changes. This ability […]

(27 Nov 2019)  From Australia: The National Library is embarking on a major staff restructure, with the Asian Collections Reading Room set to close and overseas collecting reduced. There will be no reduction in jobs under the restructure, but Director-General of the library Marie-Louise Ayres didn’t say how many existing roles would be changed and […]