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Public libraries across Australia provide and facilitate invaluable, community-focused workshops and programs for people with, or at risk of developing, mental ill-health. We provide information, raise awareness and aim to help remove any stigma from mental health issues. Hospital libraries, in addition to providing evidence-based information about mental health, are involved with work-based mental health programs, supporting health professionals for whom it is essential to care first for themselves, before being able to care for others.

The Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) and Australian Libraries Copyright Committee (ALCC) welcome the opportunity to contribute to the discussion of how Australia’s copyright regime can best foster innovation and creative community participation in the digital economy. 

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the Australian Law Librarians’ Association (ALLA) join with the Australian Libraries Copyright Committee (ALCC) and Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) in commending changes to the Copyright Act, which will introduce the concept of fair use and help ‘future-proof’ the law. We also support the Parliamentary Library’s submission advocating for the retention of a specific exception for parliamentary libraries.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the peak representational bodies for the galleries, libraries, archives and museums of Australasia thank the authors for producing this report which provides useful discussion topics and a series of interesting recommendations that merit further investigation. GLAM sector organisations welcome the recommendations relating to cross domain and cross jurisdiction strategies and collaboration.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the Australian Public Library Alliance (APLA) welcome the opportunity to respond to the Australian Government’s Smart Cities Plan, with its three pillars: Smart investment, Smart Policy and Smart Technology.

Public libraries have an important role to play in this vision:

• Libraries as hubs for urban development
• Libraries as technology hotspots
• Libraries supporting business and enterprise
• Libraries providing lifelong learning opportunities

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Australian Government Department of Education and Training Driving Innovation, Fairness and Excellence in Australian Higher Education discussion. In this submission, ALIA makes seven recommendations in the areas of:

• Opportunity and choice
• Postgraduate places to support innovation
• Supporting the regional presence of universities
• Excellence and quality
• An affordable loan scheme

The Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) welcomes changes to the Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Bill. These reforms are essential to foster the development of Australia’s digital economy and ensure all Australians share in its benefits. We welcome and support the Bill’s introduction into Parliament at the earliest opportunity this year.

The Australian Libraries Copyright Committee (ALCC) welcomes current changes to the Bill as an initial step in improving Australia's safe harbour arrangements, but encourage further amendments to ensure that all local online service providers have the same legal certainty. The amendments proposed will provide significant benefits to Australia's library and archive community. They will lower the risk involved in digital engagement projects, and enable our members to more confidently make use of the latest technologies and tools.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the Australian Public Library Alliance (APLA) welcome the opportunity to respond to the Regional Telecommunications Review 2018. ALIA and APLA recommend that consideration be given to a new funding stream to support libraries and enable them to provide digital programs and services, particularly in regional, rural and remote locations. Introducing a sustainable funding model would ensure equity of access to the benefits of new technologies for all Australians and help bridge the widening digital divide.

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the National Arts and Disability Strategy discussion paper on behalf of our Members. It is good to see within the document the acknowledgement of libraries as community infrastructure promoting access to the arts for everyone.