Australian Library and Information Association

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), formerly the Australian Institute of Librarians and Library Association of Australia, is the peak professional organisation for the Australian library and information services sector. Founded in 1937, its headquarters are in Canberra.

ALIA publishes a quarterly scholarly journal, Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, and a bimonthly news magazine for members, INCITE. The Association hosts a number of conferences which take place in different places around Australia.

On 20 August 1937, a meeting of 55 librarians at the Albert Hall in Canberra formed the Australian Institute of Librarians in response to the Munn-Pitt survey. The foundation president was William Herbert Ifould, the Principal Librarian at the Public Library of New South Wales. John Metcalfe, Deputy Principal Librarian at the Public Library of New South Wales was the first honorary general secretary and drafted much of the original constitution.

In 1949, the institute changed its name to the Library Association of Australia, and was renamed again 1989 to its current name of the Australian Library and Information Association and a permanent office was established in Canberra.

The Archives section, which had existed between 1951 and 1973, became the Australian Society of Archivists in 1975.

The Association is governed by a constitution and a board of directors who are voted on by members for two year terms.

ALIA National Office staff are based in ALIA House in Australia's capital, Canberra.

General memberships are open to anyone interested in the Australian library sector, while professional memberships are only available to those working in the sector or with an ALIA-accredited degree in library science or library technician degree.