ALIA Board Blog

This weekend, Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services announced    ” An additional $1 million will be provided for digital playback devices and improved access to digital content in public libraries around the country to increase the accessibility of print material, such as books and newspapers, for people with vision and physical impairments and learning disabilities that have difficulty reading traditional printed materials. ”

While ALIA welcomes this funding announcement, this is only minimal additional funding for this type of resourcing.  ALIA National Office undertook significant proposal work during 2010 to advise FACHSIA of options for support for disability services in Australian public libraries. We will work with the Government following the election to implement this program efficiently.  We await the Liberal Party indication of continuing support for this and other library-related funding if they are successful in winning the election.

  Public Libraries already provide a range of services and support for Australians with print disabilities.  Vision Australia also provides services and resources http://visionaustralia.org/ (and see also their Election 2010 alternative format materials) as do many other types of libraries.  It is important that all Australians learn to Love to Read - http://www.love2read.org.au and have equal access to information in a range of ways.

ALIA and it’s members will use our voice (and our votes) to demonstrate why libraries are important.   We call on all political parties to announce their funding support for libraries and to give recognition of the role that libraries play in ensuring a strong future for our economy, society and democracy.

Our election materials are available at http://www.alia.org.au/election2010  and key questions on library election topics and funding have been sent to each political party for responses.

Libraries are at the heart and centre of so many Australian communities, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, businesses, government and other workplaces -
href=”http://www.alia.org.au/australianlibraries”
>http://www.alia.org.au/australianlibraries

Sue Hutley, ALIA Executive Director

During 2008 we started planning for online voting for Board elections  - and in 2009 we have arranged it all for ALIA members.

As at today - 2nd April -  only  461   members have voted online.   All votes are due 5pm on Thursday 9th April 2009.

Around 1000 of our members completed the 2008 Member survey and 83% indicated that they would vote if online voting was available.   Well, it’s available, and it’s  SO easy.

Take a look at the Candidates  http://www.alia.org.au/governance/elections/2009/

 and also the Frequently Asked Questions on how to vote

 http://membership.alia.org.au/lib/pdf/governance/election/internet.voting.FAQ.ALIA.pdf

All enquiries can be directed to the Australian Election Company by phoning the AEC Helpdesk telephone number 1800 224 420