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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.

As of 1 May, governments have started planning to ease restrictions on services, with the Northern Territory announcing the reopening of public library services from 15 May. We anticipate greater clarity in the coming weeks about when libraries may be able to ease restrictions on services and reopen fully. While government can make broad statements about libraries reopening, the details will need to be carefully planned by library managers to mitigate any remaining risks for staff and library users.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), with input from the ALIA Australian Public Library Alliance, has been monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on Australian public libraries since early March. This report summarises the feedback from 225 of the 400 library services (in total covering 1500 locations) nationally, including several joint use school community libraries.

This interim report has three purposes:

INCITE: The magazine for library and information professionals - May/June 2020 Volume 41 Issue 5/6

Contents: About ALIA -- President's report -- Chief Executive Officer's report -- Director Corporate Services' report -- Director of Learning's report -- Director of Conferences and Events' report -- How we performed against the ALIA Board's strategic plan -- Our membership -- Advocacy campaigns -- Government and stakeholder relations -- Special projects -- Conferences and events -- ALIA in the regions -- Education, professional development and training -- Awards -- Communications -- Financial statements.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) submission in response to the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC) National Health Information Strategy online consultation.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is supportive of the proposed implementation plan’s structure, vision, foundations and focus areas. In summary:

Australian libraries – especially public, State and Territory Libraries – have found the Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) to be an invaluable source of data about the levels of digital inclusion nationally, regionally and locally. The information gained from the ADII reports has enabled libraries to advocate successfully for investment in technology, programs and services to meet the needs of their communities and users. It has identified specific target groups requiring greater assistance, and it has helped guide program and service development.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and our library members welcome the opportunity, through the review of Australian classification regulation, to address a problem which has been an issue for libraries for a number of years, and which has now reached a critical point.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Australian Government’s Online Safety Legislative Reform Discussion Paper and applauds the move to bring together existing measures in a single framework and supports the expansion of the role of the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. However, there are specific areas of concern regarding the legislation in relation to library accountability, digital content, reporting requirements, and the relationship with other legislative reform.