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ALIA’s National Conference 2026

The ALIA National Conference is the flagship event for the Australian Library and Information Association, bringing together library and information professionals from all sectors and career stages. Held every two years, this conference is a vibrant in-person forum for knowledge-sharing, networking, and professional growth.

In 2026, we’re taking a fresh approach—there will be no single overarching theme for the conference. Instead, we’re keeping the program open to allow for a wider, richer exploration of the issues, ideas, and innovations shaping our profession. The conference will nonetheless spotlight the many ways the library and information sector continues to create positive impact—by connecting communities, supporting lifelong learning, advancing digital inclusion, fostering innovation, and more.

So join us as we come together to share knowledge, celebrate achievements, and shape the future of our field. Expect engaging keynotes, thought-provoking sessions, hands-on workshops, and meaningful conversations that reflect the strength and diversity of our sector.

Day one
Day two
Day three
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7:30am-8:45am
8:00am-8:30am
9:00am-9:30am
9:30am-10:30am
10:30am
11:00am
11:30am
12:00pm
12:30pm-1:30pm
1:30pm
2:00pm
2:30pm
3:00pm
3:30pm
4:00pm-5:00pm
5:00pm
6:30pm-9:00pm” col_column_max_width=”0.5fr” col_icon_type=”!||divi||400″ col_icon_size=”1em” col_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” col_column_max_width_tablet=”0.1fr” col_column_max_width_phone=”0.1fr” col_column_max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” col_tcell_text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” col_tcell_text_text_color=”gcid-bbc9d93a-7593-42d1-894a-ea0ca33f5d41″ col_tcell_text_font_size=”1rem” col_chead_text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” col_chead_text_font_size=”1rem” col_chead_text_letter_spacing=”0px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-bbc9d93a-7593-42d1-894a-ea0ca33f5d41%22:%91%22col_tcell_text_text_color%22%93}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_label=”Main Room 1″ col_content=”Main Room 1
Welcome Breakfast and First Timer’s Exhibition Tour
Wellness Session
Welcome to Country & Conference Opening
Keynote
The State Library of NSW: A living library for now, for the future, for all of us
Caroline Butler-Bowden,
State Librarian of New South Wales
Morning Tea
Panel
Missing from the table: Reclaiming libraries in Australia’s digital inclusion agenda

Understanding workplace violence in the Australian library sector
Lunch

12:30pm – Poster Session 1 – Exhbition Hall
Pedagogy in LIS Degrees
Multicultural collection
Collecting history at the PMI Victorian History Library

1:00pm – Poster Session 2 – Exhibition Hall
Remaining Relevant through Renovations
Fostering a sense of belonging and wellbeing in the library
Optimising Research Metrics Reporting: Reflections from Deakin Library’s Service Review
Community cohesion in libraries

An interview with Beth Wahler and Jane Garner
Afternoon Tea
Media literacy and public libraries report with PressReader and ALIA
Keynote
Defusing and preventing escalation in libraries and beyond: The role of three core human needs
Beth Wahler
Founder and Principal Consultant at Beth Wahler Consulting LLC

Sponsored by Australian Government Office of Social Cohesion

Film screening – The Librarians” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_label=”Room 2″ col_content=”Room 2

Reimagining libraries through social work: A collaborative journey between Salisbury and Adelaide
Lightning Talks

Libraries without walls: Connecting hospital patients to public library resources

A citizen and a scientist: A %22how to%22 on creating a collaborative Citizen Science Corner

Immersive media literacy and intergenerational engagement: Challenges opportunities and possibilities for public libraries
Exhibitor Talk
Communico

Libraries Leading with Purpose: Strategic Thought Leadership for Sustainable Futures
Making space for student wellbeing: Library-led placemaking for student connection and care
Exhibitor Talk
JoVE” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_label=”Room 3″ col_content=”Room 3

Lightning Talks

Launching an Academic Research Podcast: A pathway of Research Communication by Pacific Adventist University Academic Library

Driving Engagement and Impact in Scholarly Publishing with Western Open Books

Building Blocks of Referencing: Using LEGO® and Play-Based Learning to Engage First-Year Students


Public libraries for social connection
Voices of Change: Reimagining Information Literacy at the Intersection of AI and Inclusive Design

It Takes a Village: Empowering Students Through Library Collaboration
Slip into change: School library improvement project
Lightning Talks

Fostering AI Literacy in the High School Library: An implementation strategy

Digital, Media and Information Literacy: Enriching programs by embedding AI

For The Love of Libraries: ALIA Schools podcast

Exhibitor Talk
Bezi” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_label=”Workshop Room” col_content=”Workshop Room

Workshop
Advocating for your school library service

Workshop
The Literary Labyrinth: A Pop-Up Reading Way Retreat” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][/dvmd_table_maker]

"
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8:00am-8:30am
9:00am-9:30am
9:30am-10:30am
10:30am
11:00am
11:30am
12:00pm
12:30pm-1:30pm
1:30pm
2:00pm
2:30pm
3:00pm
3:30pm
4:00pm
4:30pm
5:00pm-7:00pm
7:00pm-9:00pm” col_column_max_width=”0.5fr” col_icon_type=”!||divi||400″ col_icon_size=”1em” col_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” col_column_max_width_tablet=”0.1fr” col_column_max_width_phone=”0.1fr” col_column_max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” col_tcell_text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” col_tcell_text_text_color=”gcid-bbc9d93a-7593-42d1-894a-ea0ca33f5d41″ col_tcell_text_font_size=”1rem” col_chead_text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” col_chead_text_font_size=”1rem” col_chead_text_letter_spacing=”0px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-bbc9d93a-7593-42d1-894a-ea0ca33f5d41%22:%91%22col_tcell_text_text_color%22%93}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_label=”Main Room 1″ col_content=”Main Room 1
Wellness Session
Welcome Day Two
Keynote
Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt AO

Sponsored by Copyright Agency
Morning Tea
Panel
Australians’ engagement with reading

Andy Griffiths – Australian Children’s Laureate 2026-27
Lunch

1pm – Author book signings
Exhibition Hall
Children’s Author Panel
1:30-2:10pm

Author Panel
2:20-3:00pm

Afternoon Tea


Conference Dinner & Awards Night

Library Design Awards sponsored by IntraSpace” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_label=”Room 2″ col_content=”Room 2

Exhibitor Talks
Adilam Arcus
150 Years of Dewey: Classification, Colonisation, and the Future of Order in Libraries

Lightning Talks

A Loudening Voice: Indigenous Authors for Teens in North America and Australia

Beyond the Rainbow: A Comparative Look at the Representations of Mainstream and Māori Gender-Diverse Identities in Children’s Picture Books

Rainbow Libraries: Welcoming LGBTIQA+ families into our Public Libraries
Panel

Now and for their futures: Outcomes from a national alliance for libraries and the early years

Creating a reading culture
Panel

Freedom of Information and Freedom of Access to Ideas” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_label=”Room 3″ col_content=”Room 3

Strengthening Connections: Creating and Implementing the Library’s Regional, Rural and Remote Framework at Flinders University
Not Just Shelves: Neurodivergences and (Academic) Libraries

Exhibitor Talk
Clarivate
Lightning Talks

Shhh…or not? Co-designing quiet in a noisy library

Space Revitalisation by Stealth: Lessons from a Furniture Upgrade

Library+ Caloundra: From vision to reality
Exhibiting Knowledge: An Experiential Approach to Research Engagement

Unlocking access: Vision Australia Library for print disability support
Influence or Catalyst? Librarians for Community Reading Culture
Library Magic: Library-based early language and literacy learning programs” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_label=”Workshop Room” col_content=”Workshop Room

Workshop
From visibility to impact: Telling stories through non traditional research outputs (NTROs) and Creative Media

Workshop
Changing the game: Libraries as digital champions for people with intellectual disability

Workshop
Libraries brain building in the early years” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][/dvmd_table_maker]

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8:00am-8:30am
9:00am-9:30am
9:30am-10:30am
10:30am
11:00am
11:30am
12:00pm
12:30pm-1:30pm
1:30pm
2:00pm
2:30pm
3:00pm
3:30pm
4:00pm
4:30pm-5:00pm” col_column_max_width=”0.5fr” col_icon_type=”!||divi||400″ col_icon_size=”1em” col_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” col_column_max_width_tablet=”0.1fr” col_column_max_width_phone=”0.1fr” col_column_max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” col_tcell_text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” col_tcell_text_text_color=”gcid-bbc9d93a-7593-42d1-894a-ea0ca33f5d41″ col_tcell_text_font_size=”1rem” col_chead_text_font=”–et_global_body_font||||||||” col_chead_text_font_size=”1rem” col_chead_text_letter_spacing=”0px” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-bbc9d93a-7593-42d1-894a-ea0ca33f5d41%22:%91%22col_tcell_text_text_color%22%93}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_label=”Main Room 1″ col_content=”Main Room 1
Wellness Session
Welcome Day Three
Keynote
Stan Grant
Award-winning journalist, author, and thought leader
Morning Tea
Panel
Freeing the Orphans: The Work Begins

Transforming Access, Preserving Integrity: case studies in thoughtful AI transcription implementation
Lunch

12:30-1pm
Poster Session 3 – Exhibition Hall
Driving Strategic Decisions: Practical Tools for Emerging Library Leaders
The Generative AI Conversation Hub of the University: Skill-Building for Library Staff
Sustainable Library Certification Program Pilot at City of Moreton Bay Libraries

1pm-1:30pm
Poster Session 4 – Exhibition Hall
Sucess through their eyes: Developing support for impact and equity
Strategic Library Partnerships for Progress: Advancing Teaching and Learning through Collaborative Engagement
Panel
2025-26 Queensland Public Library Leaders

Reimagining Libraries for an Inclusive and Digital Tomorrow
Afternoon Tea
Panel
Curating collections, stories and impact: exhibitions in Australian academic libraries

Conference Closing” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_label=”Room 2″ col_content=”Room 2

Exhibitor Talk
Plumtree
Lightning Talks:

How can Socrates help us understand AI?

Enterprise-Wide AI Enablement

Principles → Practice: Deakin Library’s AI Lab
Upholding Information Equity for Incarcerated Students at Curtin University Library

Indigenous Knowledge Meets Artificial Intelligence: The Role of Libraries in Protecting and Digitising Oral Traditions in Papua New Guinea
Collecting and accessing Australia’s First Nations’ stories
How Library Leaders can Cultivate Environments of Psychological Safety

Making Libraries Autism Friendly: a collaboration between Aspect and Public Libraries Victoria
Trove’s future of collaboration through shared digital infrastructure” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/dvmd_table_maker_item][dvmd_table_maker_item col_label=”Room 3″ col_content=”Room 3

Faster disasters: collaborating to build community resilience
From Silos to Strategy: Elevating Enterprise Information Management

How to co-design a self-employment program for people with intellectual disability in your library
Lightning Talks

Building Autonomy and Professional Identity Through Project Placements

When the Crazy Librarian Meets the Starry-eyed Researcher: The Trove Lists Project

Behind the Scenes of Running an ALIA Group
Open stories, open evidence: Podcasting as a research methodology for OER impact

Targeted outreach: how to use data and strategic partnerships to reach new members
Maribyrnong: The Little Service that could
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First Nations meetup

Workshop
ABii the AI for Good Robot Tutor

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