Canberra, 18 December 2019: More than half of library staff in TAFEs (58%) have experienced significant, major or radical change to their roles over the last 12 months, according to the results of an ALIA sector survey.
Changes included an increase in copyright responsibilities (62%), engagement with teaching and learning (%),IT support (97%) and support for new technologies (92%). Additionally, 49% of respondents said that they had experienced a major organisational restructure.
The survey was undertaken by the Australian Library and Information (ALIA) Vocational Education and Training Libraries Advisory Committee to understand how changes in structure and funding have affected TAFE libraries and the library and information professionals who run them.
Committee Chair Brenda Burr said, ‘The survey results show a challenging environment in which TAFE libraries and their staff are doing their best to provide students with necessary services without the investment in people and facilities required to make it sustainable’.
Some of the other key findings from the survey included:
• 31% noted a new library.
• More than half of respondents (52%) reported a decrease in access to professional development.
• 18% experienced the closure of a library.
• 62% of respondents reported a decrease in annual expenditure and the budget for only 5% of libraries had either matched CPI or seen an increase.
About the Australian Library and Information Association
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is the professional organisation for the Australian library and information services sector.
With 5,000 members across Australia, we provide the national voice of the profession in the development, promotion and delivery of quality library and information services, through leadership, advocacy and mutual support. www.alia.org.au