Board Elections 2023
Voting has closed for the 2023 ALIA Board Election.
Thank you to all who voted. Your input helps shape the direction of ALIA and the sector and guides us when making decisions on behalf of our Membership.
The successful candidates will take office following our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 30 May 2023 and serve on the Board for three years.
They will be part of a seven-member Board comprising the President, Institutional Director and five general Directors. The Board will appoint one of their members to serve as the Vice President.
President
Jane Cowell
What would you like to accomplish as a board member?
As President, I will be a vocal advocate for libraries, build confidence for library professionals in the work they do, be an advocate for themselves in their career, and to ensure every ALIA member has the confidence to invest in themselves and their own selfcare. As President I also see a very important role for ALIA to build greater Thought Leadership in library practice and to ensure leading practice is shared nationally moving to a real Test, Try and Learn approach in the industry with best practice from aligned sectors to support future relevant libraries and resilient library professionals.
Qualifications
- Curtin University of Technology Bachelor of Applied Science, Information Management
Current Position
CEO, Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service
Previous Positions
Executive Director Engagement and Partnerships State Library of Queensland
Director Regional Access and Public Library Services State Library of Queensland
Manager Community Research & Strategy Division, AECgroup Brisbane
Manager Library Services Caboolture Shire Council
Hinterland Services Librarian Caloundra City Council
Professional Activities
2019-2023 Public Libraries Standing Committee (Elected) International Federation of Library Associations
2021-2023 Libraries for Health and WellBeing Working Party (State Library of Victoria & Public Libraries Victoria
2016–2017 New Media Consortium (NMC) Horizon Report: Libraries
2016–2018 Director ALIA Board (Elected)
2015–2016 National State Libraries Australasia (NSLA) (SLQ representative)
2012–2013 ALIA Information Online Conference Committee (Chair)
2011–2014 NSLA Literacy and Learning Committee
2010–2012 National Year of Reading 2012, Founding Partners
2010 ALIA Early Literacy Statement development committee
I have presented at numerous Library Conferences nationally and internationally on Public Libraries, community inclusion, future challenges for libraries. I write accessible articles for library professionals ensuring the sharing of ideas and thoughts aimed at library professionals. I am also a current mentor for the ALIA mentoring program.
Social Media Connections
Twitter | LinkedIn | Blog
General Director
Nicole Johnston
What would you like to accomplish as a board member?
I would like to use my combined expertise and experience as a LIS researcher, educator and practitioner to support ALIA and our profession deliver the professional pathways project.
I’m also passionate about building capacity and opportunities for practitioners to engage in research that improves our practice and allows our profession to meaningfully showcase our value and impact to our institutions and communities.
My recent research, focussed on mis/disinformation, has shown the important and distinct role libraries play in teaching information and media literacy skills and I would like to further highlight our role in combating mis/disinformation on a national stage.
Qualifications
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Masters of Applied Science (Library & Information Management)
Grad Dip (Library and Information Studies)
BA
Current Position
Associate University Librarian - Digital Literacy and Library Experience, Edith Cowan University
Previous Positions
Lecturer and Course Coordinator, Library and Information Services, (2016-2018) Edith Cowan University
Lecturer, Library and Information Studies, (2013-2016) University College London, Qatar
Faculty Librarian/Faculty, (2009-2013) Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE
Liaison Librarian (2007-2009), James Cook University
Professional Activities
Member of ALIA Research Advisory Committee
Previous member of ALIA West Committee
CAUL conference 2022 project lead
ALIA research grant recipient, 2018, 2021
Ray Choate ALIA Scholarship, 2007
ALIA mentor, 2021-2023
Previous chair/member Information Literacy Network Gulf Professional Development committee
Reviewer: European Council of Information literacy conference, Journal of Information Literacy, JALIA, EBLIP journal, Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, JELIS
Social Media Connections
Twitter | LinkedIn | ORCID
General Director
Amy Walduck
What would you like to accomplish as a board member?
I have a passion for libraries and information, and a strong desire to give back to the ALIA community who have been welcoming, open and supportive of my career from the beginning. As I an ALIA Board member, I will continue to build on the Professional Pathways Initiative to unite the library and information sector, build our skills as professionals, and develop capable leaders who embrace diversity, cultural safety, and inclusivity. I will ensure that advocacy is a priority across all sectors and ALIA has a voice that is heard in national debates.
Qualifications
- Graduate Diploma in Information Studies, CSU Graduate Diploma in Education, QUT
- Masters of Music Studies, GU
- Bachelor of Music, GU
Current Position
Lead, Projects, Office of the State Librarian, State Library of Queensland
Previous Positions
2018 - 2022, Lead, Digital Library Initiatives; Senior Project Officer; Research Librarian, State Library of Queensland
2017 - 2018, Outreach Librarian, Gold Coast City Council
2016 - 2018, 2022 - Sessional/Guest lecturer, QUT / CSU
2016 - 2017, Queensland State Manager, ALIA
2014 - 2017, Research Librarian, State Library of Queensland
2012 - 2013, Social Media Officer; Digital Hub Coordinator, Brisbane City Council
Professional Activities
- 2022 - 2023, Mentor, ALIA Mentoring Scheme
- 2017 - 2019, Co-host I Turbitt & Duck: The Library Podcast
- 2017, Co-Convenor I ALIA New Librarians' Symposium
- 2016, Co-Convenor, IAML National Conference
- 2015 - 2022 Conference speaker: ALIA QLD, ALIA NLS, ALIA Online, APLIC, LIANZA, IGeLU, VALA, eResearch Australasia, RezBaz QLD, Search Solutions
Social Media Connections
Twitter | LinkedIn
Additional Candidate Information