Library cooperation

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.

This directory is an update of the 4th edition published in early 2021.

ALIA Information Online 2015 Conference, 2-5 February 2015, Sydney: at the edge.

Abstract:

Libraries and information services have a fundamental concern in the preservation of information contained in the published and documentary record in order to ensure enduring access. The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is committed to the preservation of the published and documentary record in all formats, and to providing enduring access to information.

ALIA’s Special Libraries Working Group has put together this directory of special libraries to support collaboration. This directory is an update of the 3rd edition published in 2020. It is not a comprehensive listing, but 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 2016, at the ALIA National Conference in Adelaide, we invited 28 leaders from special libraries in government, health, law, research and other fields to come together and discuss the issues affecting the sector, with the aim of developing the basis for a collaborative national action plan.

The ALIA Interlibrary Lending Advisory Committee conducted a survey to gather information on current interlibrary loan and document delivery (ILL/DD) processes and practices in Australia. The aim of the survey was to take a snapshot of the ILL/DD environment in Australia in 2018, with a view to inform future directions.

The TAFE Libraries National Reciprocal Borrowing Scheme is managed by the ALIA VET Libraries Advisory Committee. It allows students and staff of participating TAFE libraries to register and borrow materials in person from any other participating host TAFE library in any other state, in addition to their own library. The scheme is designed to assist students and staff who may be enrolled with or employed by a TAFE institution in one state but who find it more convenient to access TAFE library services in another state.

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.

This submission from the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and Health Libraries Australia (HLA) recommends the development of a system-wide, sustainable, national framework for cross-jurisdictional and cross-sectoral cooperation for health libraries to support the education and training of health professionals.

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

This conference paper discusses the collaboration between libraries and other collecting institutions through the development of shared services and technical infrastructure.