Update on advocacy
It’s been a busy few weeks on the ALIA advocacy front ….
ALIA continues to work with the Safer Internet Group to lobby for a more effective and efficient suite of methods to provide Australian children with a safer experience online - rather than spending tax-payer dollars on mandatory ISP filtering of URL’s. There has been a variety of media again in the last few days [ selection here : Google vs Australia : new net censorship battle & Google and Yahoo criticise ‘heavy handed’ internet plans ] of our partners telling their stories to the world.
The Inquiry into School Libraries and Teacher Librarians was called and submissions are due in a very quick timeframe - ALIA will need to finalise it’s submission by Thursday 15th April. You can send your comments relating to the Terms of Reference to advocacy@alia.org.au . This is an incredibly significant opportunity for all within the Australian library sector - Why? some of you may ask (especially if you don’t work in a school library). Here are just a few reasons (from my perspective) :
1. This is the first library-focussed House of Representatives Inquiry in a very long time 2. School libraries are often the most memorable experiences that many young Australians have of libraries - we all remember our school librarian - and this is our opportunity to suggest how the school library experience can be improved 3. Qualified Teacher Librarians are becoming scarcer these days - we need more of them 4. Teacher Librarians contribute to the literacy levels of young Australians and assist with teaching information literacy and digital literacy skills which are going to be so important in our future digital economy 5. The Australian Government has spent millions on building new libraries as part of the B.E.R - but we know that a room full of books and chairs does not facilitate what a library really is, and should be 6. Those in public libraries work with school children for their educational and recreational reading and information needs and while many public libraries work closely with their local school library staff - collections and services could be better co-ordinated and utilised 7. Those working in TAFE and University Libraries see the next phase of the learner life-cycle (and the influences that teacher librarians during school have on students) 8. Those working in special libraries see the results of teacher librarians doing a great job by teaching young people how to use libraries effectively and become information literate workers
So, school libraries and teacher librarians have a great influence on our profession. It’s time to make your comments, contribute and get involved (that’s what advocating is about). ALIA and ASLA (the Australian School Library Association) are working together but on separate submissions. I am also pleased to hear that a number of the State Public Library Associations will be putting in submissions. Individuals and other organisations connected with school libraries are also planning to meet the 16th April deadline to submit their thoughts, suggestions and ideas. Following the submissions we will be preparing (in quick time again) for public hearings in each state and the presentation to the committee by the Library Associations in Canberra in May. More information will be posted to this page over the coming months - http://www.alia.org.au/schoollibraries
There has also been lots of news around the budget cuts to Western Australian library funding : Big Cuts put Local Libraries at risk - 29 March 2010 & Reverse Library budget cuts - Opposition - 30 March 2010 and ABC WA Blog - and links . This issue does not end with a few media reports last week - we will be posting further suggestions on advocating for improved funding to this page shortly - http://www.alia.org.au/publiclibraries .
Remember - every member can be an advocate - and we thank you for your support and your input to these important national issues.
Sue Hutley, ALIA Executive Director