ALIA SA Group

Canberra, 26 August 2026: The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and our school library sector committee, the Australian Coalition for School Libraries (ACSL), along with Australia Reads have this week released the ALIA ACSL & Australia Reads Statement on School Libraries and Reading for Pleasure. This timely new statement provides much needed guidance for schools on the development of effective policy and practice in relation to school libraries supporting reading for pleasure in Australian school communities.

https://www.alia.org.au/Web/News/Articles/2026/Reading_for_pleasure.aspx

Is the library still part of your life? 📚📖

📚 A little library with a big imagination! A brand-new space for young readers is opening at the State Library of South Australia this August.

Little Library has been designed especially for children aged 0 to 11, giving families a place to read, play, sing, explore and discover new stories together. ✨

Families can explore the new space during the opening weekend on 22 and 23 August, with books, activities and plenty of opportunities for little readers to get curious.

📍 State Library of South Australia, North Terrace

Find out more: https://www.localcouncils.sa.gov.au/news/little-library-opens-at-the-state-library

City of Adelaide

🎲 Ready for a fun night out?

Join ALIA SA for a relaxed social evening of board games, great conversations, and good company at The Lost Dice Cafe on King William Street on Friday, 11 September 2026.

Whether you're a library professional, student, or simply looking to connect with others in the industry, everyone is welcome. Come along for an enjoyable evening of games and networking in a friendly, informal setting.

Click the link below to register and find more information about the event:

https://www.alia.org.au/EventDetail?EventKey=SA0926

ALIA SA Southern Library Bus Tour, took place on Saturday 1st August, during Library & Information Week.

It incorporated three library tours into one, this bus day trip was a wonderful opportunity to visit Yankalilla Library, Aldinga Library, and the newly refurbished Marion Cultural Centre Library, while also exploring the beautiful southern region of Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula.

August 10 is the Feast Day of St Lawrence, the patron saint of archivists and librarians.

St Lawrence was a church librarian and archivist, and one of seven deacons captured and martyred by Emperor Valerian in 258AD.

Given three days to hand over the Church’s wealth and records, Lawrence instead distributed its assets to the poor. When the time came, he presented the poor and sick as the Church’s true treasures. His refusal to reveal confidential information led to his martyrdom.

Today, State Records takes it responsibility for keeping historical government records safe incredibly seriously, so they can be accessed in the future.

Pictured from State Records are Collection Officers and Archivists Grace, Bec, Rhys and Nick.

Attention, grown-ups –

Bookmark 22–23 August and join us at the for the grand opening of the .

Be among the first to explore our brand-new space for children, meet the Little Library folk, and enjoy a weekend full of stories, play, creativity and hands-on activities designed especially for little ones aged 0 to 11 years.

The celebration is FREE, just RSVP to let us know you're coming.

Book your visit > slsa.sa.gov.au/little-library

Libraries SA City of Adelaide Libraries

STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!
Did you know that the 2026 Census will be the very first time Teacher Librarians across Australia will be recognised and counted as a specific occupation?

It is also the first time that the role of Library Services Manager is included.

This is a landmark opportunity to gather more precise evidence-based data for the national library and information services profession. Evidence is one of the key pieces of the puzzle needed to strengthen advocacy for better library resourcing and more school libraries nationwide.

Library staff– please take this opportunity to identify and record your specific occupation in the 2026 Census. The different occupational roles are listed below:
251931 Teacher Librarian
149132 Library Services Manager
232131 Librarian
391132 Library Technician
599132 Library Assistant

For further information on occupation definitions, see the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia(OSCA)
https://buff.ly/3ige67d