Canberra, 24 January: To support and guide the way the library and information science sector (LIS) undertakes activities within a pandemic environment, the ALIA Board has developed the following position statement. This statement is underpinned by the following two Objects of the Association:
Our sector has a responsibility to protect and support LIS workers and the community by aiding in the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 whilst continuing to provide information and resources to all users, including the most vulnerable in society.
This means our sector:
We can do this by:
Libraries provide essential services to many in our communities, and with that in mind we encourage library leaders and staff:
ALIA will continue to collate and share information about the status of state and territory requirements and how libraries around the country are working through re-openings and creating innovative new approaches to physical and online services.