Nominees seeking election as General Director
Emilia Bell
Emilia is a candidate for General Director.
What would you like to accomplish as a board member?
I am committed to a profession that is relational and responsive to its value and values. With experience in school and university libraries, I am driven to ask reflective questions, contribute to and action strategic planning, and foster LIS professional development, education, and research across different sectors. I look forward to working with the Board to continue developing collaborative partnerships and effective advocacy that not only strengthen library services and the profession but represent and advance members' needs. This includes critically engaging with diverse representation and inclusivity in libraries and in future leadership and governance.
Qualifications
- Currently studying PhD, Curtin
- Graduate Certificate in Arts and Social Science Research, CSU, 2021
- Master of Information and Library Studies, CSU, 2020
- Bachelor of Arts, UQ, 2017
- AALIA (CP)
Current Position
Coordinator (Evidence Based Practice), Library Services, University of Southern Queensland
Previous Positions
Library Assistant, All Hallows' School (2019-2021)
Intern, Parliamentary Library, Collections and Databases Branch (2020)
Professional Activities
- ALIA: New Generation Advisory Committee member; Library Applied Research Kollektive committee member
- CAUL: Analytics Portfolio Review Working Group
- Speaker at: ALIA LARK, ALA IRRT, CAUL OER PD Program; IFLA ENSULIB; Office Hours (OEN & Rebus)
- Publications in: JALIA; IFLA Journal; EBLIP; Journal of Documentation
Social Media Connections
Twitter | LinkedIn | ORCID | Mastodon
Additional Candidate Information
Heather Davis
Heather is a candidate for General Director.
What would you like to accomplish as a board member?
I have three priorities relating to Library and Information Services (LIS) and ALIA:
- Building the position of ALIA on the issues that matter most to our stakeholders
- Strengthening the sector through responsive professional development outcomes
- Supporting active participation in the sector through strong professional networks
Libraries support the evolution of thought and perspective, strengthening our understanding and connection to the world and our future. These priorities respond to known opportunities and challenges, to secure our sustainability.
We must position our profession for the future by advocating and demonstrating our professional values, being intentional in our development and by working together.
Qualifications
- 2018 Master of Local Government, University of Technology Sydney
- 2008 Master of Arts Information and Knowledge Management, University of Technology Sydney
- 2006 Bachelor of Arts, University of Newcastle
Current Position
Manager Libraries and Learning, City of Sydney
Previous Positions
Manager Libraries Network, City of Sydney (2016-2018)
Project Manager Transition Project Unit, Waverley Council (2016)
Manager Library and Learning Futures, Waverley Council (2014-2015)
Other Library Leadership roles, Waverley Council (2011-2014)
Support Services Librarian, Gosford Library (now Central Coast Council) (2008-2010)
Knowledge Centre Intern, Institute of Chartered Accountants (2007-2008)
Professional Activities
- Zone Secretary South Sydney, NSW Public Libraries Association (2021-present)
- NLS7 2015 Organising Committee Member, ALIA (2014-15)
- Stream Coordinator, ALIA Sydney Committee (2012-15)
- Volunteer Book Distribution Assistant, Footpath Library (2015-2018)
- Member of International Network of Emerging Library Innovators (Oceania) (since 2014)
- Kath Knowles Young Leader, Project on Homelessness and Libraries (2012)
Social Media Connections
LinkedIn
Additional Candidate Information
Alan Flores
Alan is a candidate for General Director.
What would you like to accomplish as a board member?
Encourage a creative way to solve problems using my background as a library manager; provide guidance in financial matters and ensure the association remains fiscally healthy; make suggestions as to how the association can raise awareness of libraries in the community through creative public relations.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Librarianship, University of Canberra
- Graduate Diploma in Communication, University of Western Sydney
- Master of Librarianship, University of NSW
Current Position
Retired
Previous Positions
Institute Librarian, Hunter TAFE
Library Manager, Gosford City
Library Manager, NSW Department of Housing
Library Manager, Baulkham Hills
Chief Librarian, NSW Department of Health
City Librarian, Penrith
Professional Activities
- MPLA Board Member
- CPLA Member
- Two study tours of Europe and America
- President, Public Libraries, ALIA
- Board Member of Health Librarians, ALIA
- Coordinated CPLA conference
- Organised and participated in "Biblio Turismo": a 14 year public relations exercise for public libraries using motorcycle librarians
- Researching and presenting programs for U3A
Social Media Connections
LinkedIn
Additional Candidate Information
Nicole Johnston
Nicole is a candidate for General Director.
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
Additional Candidate Information
Alissa Sputore
Alissa is a candidate for General Director.
What would you like to accomplish as a board member?
As an ALIA Director (2021-2023) I have identified opportunities where ALIA is well positioned to lead as Australia's peak body for libraries, including advocacy on strategic policy and sector research. If elected to a second term, I would like to see ALIA engage a high profile Patron to support our advocacy efforts, establish a First Nations Board position, and reinvigorate professional collaboration and development.
A sustainable and impactful future for ALIA will retain current sector strengths through highly qualified professionals and accredited courses, whilst fostering diversity for an inclusive sector culture and enhanced outcomes for library users and funders.
Qualifications
- 1998 BAppSci (Information Studies)(with Distinction), Curtin University
- 2004 Grad Cert (Law), Murdoch University
- 2021 Associate Fellow, Higher Education Academy
- AALIA (CP), ALIA Silver Pin
- 2020 AltMBA Leadership Training
- Mental Heath First Aid Accredited
Current Position
Development Manager, Department of Communities, Western Australia
Previous Positions
2017-2021 Manager, Library Experience, University of Western Australia
2007-2008, 2012-2016 Several appointments at UWA, including several years as Assistant Library Manager, Research & Learning Support
2009-2012 Law Research Service Manager, Law School, University of Melbourne
2005-2007 Manager, Perth Knowledge Team, Ashurst.
Professional Activities
-
2021-2023, Director, Board of Directors, ALIA
-
2016-2020 ALIA Academic & Research Libraries (WA Division) Committee
-
2016 IATUL International Study Programme Candidate, visiting Technische Universität München, Germany
-
2006-2021 A range of mentoring, paper review and conference committee roles for ALIA, IATUL, ALIAWest and VALA
-
2002-2011 Australian Law Librarians Association (WA and Victorian Divisions)
-
2004 Chair of ALLA WA Division and a member of the ALLA National Executive Committee
Social Media Connections
Twitter | LinkedIn
Additional Candidate Information
Rob Thomson
Rob is a candidate for General Director.
What would you like to accomplish as a board member?
I believe that all libraries change lives and act as beacons of light to the communities they serve. As an ALIA Board member, I hope to continue to promote the philosophy of libraries creating communities; to continue to promote diversity across the library sector: to represent and promote the work of Library Technicans and the roles they play in libraries across the sector; to promote opportunities for professional development and the opportunities Professional Pathways presents for all library sector professionals; and to build on my time as ALIA NSW State Manager, and to promote networking across the GLAM sector.
Qualifications
- 2019, TAELLN411 Address Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Skills
- 2010, TAE40110 Certificate IV Training and Assessment
- 1997, Associate Diploma in Arts (Library Practice)
Current Position
ALIA NSW State Manager
Previous Positions
Teacher, Library and Information Services, Cert III & Diploma, TAFE NSW, Western Sydney, Mt Druitt Campus (1 day a week, First Semester, 2019)
Teacher, Library and Information Services, Cert III & Diploma, TAFE NSW, Sydney, Ultimo Campus (2 days a week, First Semester, 2019)
Teacher-in-Charge, Diploma Library and Information Services, TAFE NSW, Illawarra, Wollongong Campus 2010-2018
Library Technician, Knowledge Research Centre, BlueScope Steel, Steel Research Laboratories, Port Kembla 1992-2009
Professional Activities
- Organised and ran GLAMawarra at Shellharbour City Library, 2022;
- Attended AGaMA National Conference, Perth 2022 (remotely via Zoom);
- Attended ALIA National Conference, Canberra, 2022;
- Organised and ran Online Zoom Friday night chat sessions during COVID lockdowns 2020-2021;
- Presented papers at ALIA LT Conference Perth 2011; ALIA LT Symposium Canberra 2013; ALIA LT Symposium North Sydney 2017, and at APLIC, Gold Coast, 2018
- Organised and ran 11 Unconferences on behalf of ALIA NSW Library Technicians
- ALIA Sydney and ALIA New Graduates NSW 2009-2018
- Organising Committee member NLS7, Sydney, 2015
- ALIA National Library and Information Technicians Conference, Sydney, 2005
- Committee member ALIA NSW Library Technicians Group 2003-2018
- Committee member ALIA South Coast Group
Social Media Connections
Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram
Additional Candidate Information
Amy Walduck
Amy is a candidate for General Director.
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
Liz Walkley Hall
Liz is a candidate for General Director.
What would you like to accomplish as a board member?
As people make our libraries, so too do members make ALIA. As a long-standing member I will work to have a positive impact on decision-making, to future proof our professional association and support ongoing and new strategic initiatives. With a background in practitioner research, I will utilise an evidence-based approach to decision making.
I will bring my personal strengths of integrity, determination, and collaboration to the Board. I am passionate about creating value for the communities that libraries serve, and as an ALIA Board member will be passionate about creating value for the members the Association serves.
Qualifications
- Graduate Diploma, Library & Information Management, University of South Australia
- Bachelor of Arts, Flinders University
- AALIA
Current Position
Associate Director, Engagement & Scholarly Communications, Flinders University
Previous Positions
Associate Librarian, Collections, College & Research Services
Manager, [email protected]
Open Scholarship & Data Management Librarian
Liaison Librarian, Humanities, Education
Professional Activities
- 2016 - current, ALIA Research Advisory Committee
- 2022, Mentor, ALIA Mentoring program
- 2022, ALIA Course Reaccreditation Committee
- 2022, CAUL (Council of Australian University Librarians) Conference Committee
- 2022, CAUL Conference coordinator (Adelaide in person event)
- 2017, Keynote Speaker, Research Applications in Information and Library Science (RAILS)
- 2016, Program Committee Member, ALIA National Conference
- Peer reviewer, JALIA, Information Research, ALIA National 2016, THETA 2017, 2019, 2023, RAILS Conference 2017, 2019.
Social Media Connections
Twitter | LinkedIn
Additional Candidate Information