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ALIA Multicultural e-News
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The ALIA Multicultural e-News is a platform to share news with a Multicultural focus relevant to the Library Information Sector (LIS). It is open to people across LIS to contribute information of relevance. If you have some news to distribute broadly you can contact us via email. If you are interested in contributing a blogpost to our website you can also reach out via email to discuss ideas.
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And the theme for this eNewsletter is...
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The theme for this edition is on emerging fields of research in the library sector.
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Evidence-Based Library and Information Practice (EBLIP) is an approach to professional practice that is grounded in quality research, and uses the evidence found in the research to inform the many decisions and problems that a library addresses to improve the delivery of its services [1]. This systematic approach achieves this often by combining evidence from sources including academic studies, user feedback, library usage statistics, and professional expertise [2], and can be a great tool in responding to the evolving needs of diverse patron and professional communities. When done right,
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evidence-based strategies in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have been shown to positively impact workplace culture and performance [3].
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Diversity in librarianship
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One emerging area of research particularly relevant to ALIA Multicultural, is fostering a more culturally inclusive profession for LIS students and professionals from CALD backgrounds, particularly in a sector that historically skews towards older, white women [4]. According to an IFLA survey on Global Trends in LIS Education, one of the five key topics currently most relevant to new and emerging library and information professionals is on improving equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in LIS education [5]. Using EBLIP, LIS institutions can approach various methods to increase outcomes of DEI within their educational and professional spaces.
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One method could be adopting well-designed mentoring and sponsorship programs, which has been shown to be particularly effective in fostering inclusive environments and improving outcomes for underrepresented groups [6]. If you are a leader within the LIS profession in any sense of the word, volunteering to be a mentor is a great way to further uplift mentees from historically underrepresented backgrounds, promote collegiality within the profession, and stimulate strong personal growth both within yourself and the mentee [7].
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By making informed decisions founded on research evidence and applied appropriately to individual library contexts, libraries can create a more supportive and equitable profession for its CALD students and staff, ultimately leading to a better service delivery and higher professional satisfaction.
ALIA Multicultural is always looking for diverse experiences, thoughts and opinions to share in our eNewsletter and blogpost submissions regardless of your role, experience or location. You can contribute any time through this link or with the 'Connect with us' section at the end of each eNewsletter.
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ALIA Principles for Multicultural Collections and Services
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We are excited to announce that ALIA officially adopted its first comprehensive ALIA Principles for Multicultural Collections and Services (the Principles).
Led by the ALIA Multicultural, this significant piece of work is the culmination of over three years of dedicated collaboration. The Principles reflect ALIA's commitment to supporting the library and information sector work for multicultural communities and affirm that multicultural services should have formal policy recognition within the Australian library and information sector.
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In the past, ALIA had a Statement on libraries and multiculturalism, first adopted in 1984 but withdrawn in 2002. This two decade long gap prompted ALIA Multicultural to action, and a dedicated working group was formed comprising experts from across the sector, including:
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Alice Chik from Macquarie University
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Kath York from Latrobe City Council
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Laney Robinson from Logan Council
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Helen Kwaka from Public Library Services South Australia
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Barbara Parnaby from the State Library of Western Australia
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My Van Dang from Greater Dandenong Libraries
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Rita Hardy from Merri-bek City Council
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Lucia Johns from the Association for Brazilian Bilingual Children’s Development
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Angela Kolar from Campion College
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Ellie Sayyad Abdi from Curtin University
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Bhuva Narayan from the University of Technology Sydney
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Mare Maticevski from RMIT University
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The Principles are a call to action for all library and information services. ALIA strongly recommends that people working in the sector read them carefully and consider how their programs, collections and services align with the principles.
Looking forward, the Principles have set the structure in place for the next major project - the development of ALIA Guidelines for Multicultural Collections and Services. This is work which ALIA Multicultural will lead over the coming period, with the Guidelines providing greater details and practical advice to library and information services.
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You can read the Principles and more of the amazing background efforts involved putting together this significant piece of work on the ALIA website here.
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A big thank you to everyone involved in this project!
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Trove list project
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You can find the lists of Translated Australian Literature on ALIA Multicultural website, which includes fiction (22 languages), non-fiction (2 languages), and children's picture books (15 languages).
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We are looking for additional volunteers to join this project, especially Vietnamese and Indonesian users. You can start volunteering on this great project or reach out with questions at any time here.
Thank you to Joey and Alice for continually driving this great initiative!
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You can also find out more about the project can be found on the ALIA Multicultural blog post here.
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National NAIDOC Week 6-13 July
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Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants – now open!
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Refugee Week in Australia 2025 was held from Sunday 15 June to Saturday 21 June.
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Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to promote greater awareness of refugees, the issues they face and the contributions refugees are making to the Australian community.
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Public libraries can offer great ways to connect with Refugee Week and refugee experiences in and outside the official week.
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One example is Moreton Bay Region Libraries offering a publicly available local histories page, which includes oral histories of several refugees who have called the Moreton Bay Region home. You can listen to these amazing stories here.
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National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week is held annually in early July. 2025 marks 50 years of honouring and elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, culture and resilience
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Celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements, honour Truth telling and walk together towards a bright future that is 'empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of community, and the legacy of the ancestors' of the traditional owners of the lands and waters across this land.
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This year’s theme is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’.
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You can find various NAIDOC Week events around the country to share with your networks here.
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The Multicultural NSW Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants Program provides funding for multicultural and multifaith community groups to deliver festivals and events that celebrate and embrace our state’s vibrant cultural diversity.
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Here's what you need to know about Round One of the 2025-2026 Festival and Event Program:
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- grants range from $5,000 to a maximum of $20,000
- grants are for festivals and events held between 1 September 2025 and 31 March 2026.
Grant applications are open until 5pm on Monday 7 July 2025.
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Click here to apply and for more information.
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Image source: Refugee Week
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Image source: National NAIDOC
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Image source: Multicultural NSW
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Upcoming IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC)
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The IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) is the leading international conference focused on delivering on our profession’s commitment to high quality library and information services and access to information.
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This year the 89th WLIC will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan between 18-22 August, the first ever edition of IFLA’s flagship event to be held in Central Asia and reinforces IFLA’s role in developing the international library field.
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“By hosting a successful WLIC, we aim to improve the professional level of local librarians and the way the library profession is seen in society. We want to bring the library and information professional communities in Kazakhstan and Central Asia together and strengthen our participation in the international landscape. And, of course, foreign participants will be able to learn about the fascinating history, cultural traditions and politics of our region. A warm welcome awaits.”
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Gulzhan Irzhanova, President Association of University Libraries of the Republic of Kazakhstan
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To find out more about the Congress, including the offerings of fantastic talks and programs, and to register click here.
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Feel good stories
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Libraries are becoming 'community living rooms' keeping regional Australians connected
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Many readers will have likely come across the concept of 'third places' - places that are not our homes (the first place) or our workplaces (the second place), but somewhere in between where one can mingle with friends, acquaintances or even strangers [1]. These social 'watering holes' such as libraries, churches, pubs and parks are vital for maintaining social connection, health and wellbeing, as well as access to knowledge and ideas across all social demographics [1] [2] [3] [4].
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As those working and/or studying in the field, we're familiar with the many benefits diverse communities gain by having access to their local libraries. This article from the ABC follows the amazing work done by the volunteer-led Julatten Edna Head Library from rural Far North Queensland in creating a safe and welcoming third place for Julatten residents.
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AI Corner
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As AI adoption gains more traction within our libraries, the ALIA Multicultural Committee believes it would be useful for our members and readers to share some of the latest news, opinions, insights or happenings in the AI and library space!
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In this edition of the eNewsletter we have:
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Aaron Tay's Musings about Librarianship
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Aaron Tay is currently the Head of Data Services at Singapore Management University Libraries, and before that was E-services Facilitator, Senior Librarian at the National University of Singapore Libraries.
He started the Musings about Librarianship Blogspot from 2009 and has recently since moved to Substack to continue thought provoking discussions about all things GenAI in the academic library space and much more.
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Below are some posts to get started on how Generative AI is currently being used within academic libraries:
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Join ALIA Multicultural
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Join the committee and actively participate in advocacy and key projects.
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ALIA Multicultural is a group of passionate people committed to working collaboratively on advocacy with a multicultural focus specific to the Library Information Sector in Australia. You can join our committee and be part of a dynamic collaborative group committed to information sharing, Professional Development and special projects. Visit the website to learn more about us and send us a message if you would like to be part of the group.
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If you are interested in being an active member of the ALIA Multicultural Committee send us an email to express interest.
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Connect with us
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Access key multicultural research and resources via the ALIA Multicultural website
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ALIA Multicultural curates key research and community resources with a Multicultural focus for the Library Information Sector.
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This information can be accessed via our Resources tab on the ALIA Multicultural Website.
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Do you have some research or resource to suggest as an addition? You can contact us via email with your suggestions.
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Contribute to the ALIA Multicultural website blog
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Do you have an idea to contribute to the ALIA Multicultural website blog? If you or someone you know would be interested in contributing a post, discussion about research, an opinion piece, celebration of multicultural programs and services with our community send us an email expressing areas of interest or articles. The ALIA Multicultural website is a collaborative initiative and we are seeking your voice.
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ALIA Multicultural committee members share news regularly via a number of platforms including Instagram and Facebook and Linkedin.
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Anyone can subscribe to our website and eNews.
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We welcome ideas for content to our website and news too.
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ALIA Multicultural plans and delivers PD twice a year and you can watch our PD webinars via our YouTube channel.
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