Special libraries

In 2010 the ALIA Special Library Advisory Committee (SLAC) determined to undertake a statistical study of special libraries in Australia. The purpose of the study was to enable ALIA, special libraries members and employers (management) to gain a better understanding of the current state of specialist information services in Australia.

This document provides a brief profile of Australian special librarian survey respondents.

In 2010 the ALIA Special Library Advisory Committee (SLAC) determined to undertake a statistical study of special libraries in Australia. The purpose of the study was to enable ALIA, special libraries members and employers (management) to gain a better understanding of the current state of specialist information services in Australia.

This document provides an overview of the ALIA special libraries survey report findings.

ALIA Information Online 2017 Conference, 13-17 February 2017 Sydney: Data Information Knowledge

[Peer reviewed] This conference paper discusses the development of a case law database for Queensland police prosecutors.

ALIA’s Special Libraries Working Group has put together this directory of special libraries to support collaboration. This directory is an update of the edition published earlier this year, and is not a comprehensive listing, but it does identify like-minded individuals working in similar situations. The aim is to enable people to share non-competitive information, insight, expertise, ideas and resources; to improve the sense of connectedness in a sector with many one-person libraries, and to strengthen special libraries’ advocacy network.

In recent times, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) has relied on the NSW Crown Employees Award as the starting point for our salary scales, but we were concerned that these pay levels may not be reflective of the reality of the workplace. To test this, we embarked on a survey of people working in the sector. As a result, we have been able to produce the "ALIA LIS pay and employment snapshot 2020", which provides an understanding of real world pay and terms of employment across Australia at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020.

ALIA’s Special Libraries Working Group has put together this directory of special libraries to support collaboration. This directory is an update of the 2019 edition, and is not a comprehensive listing, but it does identify like-minded individuals working in similar situations. The aim is to enable people to share non-competitive information, insight, expertise, ideas and resources; to improve the sense of connectedness in a sector with many one-person libraries, and to strengthen special libraries’ advocacy network.

Asia-Pacific Library and Information Conference 2018, 30 July - 2 August 2018 Gold Coast: Roar Leap Dare

This conference paper discusses special libraries and the difficulties faced in pising methods, vehicles and activities to market and promote their services and collections.

ALIA’s Special Libraries Working Group has put together this directory of special libraries to support collaboration. The directory is not a comprehensive listing, but it does identify like-minded individuals working in similar situations. The aim is to enable people to share non-competitive information, insight, expertise, ideas and resources; to improve the sense of connectedness in a sector with many one-person libraries, and to strengthen special libraries’ advocacy network.

National 2016 Conference, 29 August-2 September 2016 Adelaide: Engage Create Lead

This conference poster paper illustrates the steps involved in launching a repository of digitised special collecton items.

Australian special libraries serve clients in government, health, law, business, banking, consulting, research, science and technology, the arts, media and other industries by providing facts not fiction, decision-ready information, usable big data, tailored resources, 24/7 electronic delivery of information, a world view of cutting edge information theory and practice, access to the latest news, staff professional development, information and technology expertise, and preservation services.