Library and Information Week aims to raise the profile of libraries and information service professionals in Australia.

In May every year, libraries and information services throughout Australia showcase their many and varied resources and services through different programs and events targeted to a cross-section of the community. The week provides the opportunity to introduce new services and professional skills to the community, and to publicly canvas issues of importance to the provision of library and information services in Australia.

Library and Information Week provides the Australian community with:

• a chance to find out about the wide range of services which local public and school libraries offer;
• an opportunity to recognise the vital role which libraries and information agencies play for research and education;
• an opportunity to recognise the contribution of specialist libraries for the work outcomes in corporations, government departments, hospitals and other institutions;
• a chance to debate our information future and government approaches to it and to associated issues, such as equity of access to information;
• a chance to emphasise the significance of libraries in the maintenance of our history and culture at community and national levels;
• a chance to recognise the importance of library and information services as providers of services for people who due to personal disadvantages have no other alternatives for accessing and using information;
• an opportunity to think about the role which libraries play in our local community, work and personal life.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOOK

20-26 MAY 2012

Library and Information Week will be held from 20 - 26 May 2012. We are delighted to announce that the 2012 Library and Information Week theme is Think Outside the Book. This year's theme was a clear favourite chosen by ALIA members via a website poll.

Libraries across Australia can use this week as a focus to promote and showcase their varied resources, facilities, events, contacts and services through different programs and events to the community. The week provides you the opportunity to introduce new services or publicly canvas issues of importance regarding library and information services in Australia.

HOW CAN MY LIBRARY GET INVOLVED IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION WEEK?

You can get in involved by organising your own event or by leveraging off one of the existing Library and Information Week events:

ALIA will also be providing a range of merchandise for locations to purchase and display in their library to promote their Library and Information Week 2012 events. This will be available for order from March 2012.

Do you have a great idea? Share it! events@alia.org.au

LIBRARIES! THIS IS YOUR WEEK TO SHOW HOW YOU 'THINK OUTSIDE THE BOOK'!

This theme lends itself for you to personalise! Tell your clients and users what you do that is 'outside the book'. Tell them about all the things you do that are about more than just books.

• Genealogy
• Music, DVD's and toys.
• Research
• IT support
• Education and training
• Preservation
• The list is long...
• This year's theme highlights that libraries are far more than just the books they contain and opens the door to give the community a chance to discover all the things you can offer.

AUSTRALIAN LIBRARY WEEK

Australian Library Week was first celebrated in 1968 under the auspices of the Australian Library Promotion Council. The Council folded in the late 1980s. After an intermission of some years, the Australian Library and Information Association assumed responsibility for Australian Library Week and activities and promotion of the event have steadily gained momentum.

In 2000, the name of the week was changed to Library and Information Week to reflect the broader coverage of the sector represented by the Library and Information Association. Library and Information Week will promote all types of library and information services, the expertise and skills of the profession, and the key issues that need to be addressed to secure access to information.

Previous Library and Information Week themes have included:

• 2011 - Libraries: We Find Stuff!
• 2010 - Access All Areas
• 2009 - Libraries your passport to discovery!
• 2008 - Libraries are for Everyone
• 2007 - Linking People with Ideas
• 2006 - Linking People with Ideas @your library
• 2005 - Posters themes: 'feeding hungry young minds' 'most user friendly search engine'
• what's on your librarians mind?'
• 2004 - Down and Loaded
• 2003 - Power your Mind
• 2002 - Libraries Change Lives
• 2001 - Libraries Information Matters and Libraries Knowledge Outlook
• 2000 - Here for the Long Run
• 1999 - Libraries: Explore and Discover
• 1998 - Pathways to Knowledge
• 1997 - Libraries: a Web of Information

For more information about Library and Information Week contact ALIA's Events team on (02) 6215 8222 or email events@alia.org.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address).