Professional development

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) believes that employers are critical partners whose active involvement contributes positively at both the initial education stage and to the continuing professional development of library and information professionals.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) recognises that the dynamic and changing library and information environment demands that library and information professionals continue to develop and broaden their knowledge and skills so that they can anticipate and respond to the needs of clients, organisations and society.

ALIA supports library and information professionals to engage in formal and informal learning experiences through the ALIA PD Scheme, ALIA Mentoring Scheme, ALIA conferences, symposia, events, forums and training.

Viv Barton, ALIA Vice President (President-elect) has chosen education as the theme for her Presidential year, from May 2020 – May 2021. It is a topic which goes to the very heart of ALIA, as the professional body for the library and information sector.

The Competency Mapping work has produced a list of approximately 110 health-related courses, events and programs offered in 2019 that are relevant to health librarians and technicians in Australia. The courses are also mapped to HLA's eight competency areas.

The Competency Mapping work has produced a list of health-related courses, events and programs offered in 2018 that are relevant to health librarians and technicians in Australia. The courses are also mapped to HLA's eight competency areas.

This document identifies and describes the ALIA Health Libraries Australia (ALIA HLA) eight competency areas. Health librarians, from novice to expert, need a basic understanding of each competency area:

1. The health environment
2. Reference and research services
3. Resources
4. Leadership and management
5. Digital, ehealth and technology
6. Health literacy and teaching
7. Health research
8. Professionalism

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

This conference poster presentation looks at the concept of Digital Thinking application in libraries, with a human-centered focus on how the digital future may impact the ways information and library professionals work.

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

This conference paper shares the experience of ongoing job redesign efforts by the Public Libraries of the National Library Board Singapore (NLB).

The impetus for job redesign arises from the need to build a responsive future ready workforce, competent in both functional and professional skills to deliver the Smart Libraries of the Future. NLB’s aim is to develop a future ready work force through:

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

This conference poster presentation accompanied the talk on keeping up to date with digital technologies in the every changing digital environment.

At Bond Library, the Emerging Technologies Group designed an engaging yet challenging six-week program for all library staff to become more knowledgeable and importantly confident of digital technologies within their working day. Touching on ‘things’ such as diversity, digital footprint and digital citizenship.

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

This conference poster presentation accompanied the talk "You're going to hear me roar! How the ALIA PD scheme helped me develop my leadership skills and travel the world". Participating in the ALIA PD Scheme creates new opportunities for mid-career professionals, including the chance to develop library leadership skills and skills in strategic thinking.