We are excited to share our new webpages showcasing the current and past research projects and initiatives that ALIA is involved in. Take a look here!
Each individual research project now has its very own page with room for much more information, links, research updates, videos, and research findings.
Evidence-based practice and research are pivotally important to the library and information sector; members of the workforce make decisions about services, programs and delivery based on evidence and an empirical basis. Giving research greater webspace reflects the importance of research to the peak body and the sector.
Current research highlights
There are a number of projects underway at the moment, including an ARC Linkage project looking into ways of enhancing media literacy to address misinformation through cultural institutions. ALIA is one of the partner organisations, alongside ABC Education, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Film and Sound Archive.
What with the hype around AI, ALIA teamed up with researchers at UTS on the AI in the Library: Misbehaving Machines project. This is a super playful and interactive project that looks at all the ways AI doesn’t always do what we expect, with public exhibitions in UTS Library, TAFE NSW Library, City of Parramatta PHive and City of Sydney Darling Square public libraries.
ALIA is also part of the reference group of two ARC funded Discovery Projects, one led by Charles Sturt University researchers, looking into the role of public library services in rural Australia, and the other investigating the fascinating world of audiobooks and digital book culture at the ANU.
A number of research proposals and applications are in the works behind the scenes, and we will be sure to create pages for them if and when funding and approvals are in place.
Research archive
We have also created dedicated pages for completed research projects, because these are still relevant to the sector! Their pages have links to final research reports and findings, as well as contact details of the project leads so anyone can reach out.
You will find projects on topics ranging from library architectural design, sustainability, invisible disability, to literary heritage revival and First Nations collection description.
ALIA engages with the broader research landscape through its scholarly journal JALIA, research translation platforms, funding opportunities, the Research Advisory Committee, the special interest group Library Applied Research Kollective, and of course the ALIA National Conference and ALIA Online, which are hosted on alternate years.
We hope you enjoy the new look for the ALIA research pages, and do get in touch if you have any comments or queries: [email protected]