Set aside these dates for the 2026 Health Libraries Conference
This is a joint effort between HLA & HLi, so it will be twice as good
Theme: The Fire Within : Passion and Purpose in Health Libraries
More details to follow …
🦘 Jump to:
Theme | Program | Location | Cost | Registration | Keynotes | Gold Sponsors | Silver Sponsors
✅ Theme:
The 2025 HLA Conference theme is:
Innovation, Transition, & Growth: Thriving in a Shifting Health Ecosystem
Health libraries and librarians are continuously adapting to an evolving landscape of healthcare, technology, and information management. How can we embrace change, drive innovation and support our clients and our own wellbeing?
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📃 Program & Bios:
2025 HLA Conference Two-Day Program
New 2025 HLA Conference Program Booklet (Presentation backgrounds and presenter biographies)
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🌏 Location:
CONFERENCE VENUE
HLA Conference site – Lakeside Hotel & Conference Centre:
Address: 1 Executive Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Phone: +61 2 9850 9300 (24 hour access)
TRANSPORT
https://www.hotel.mgsm.com.au/executive-accommodation/contact-hotel#directions
Includes map and information for travel by car, train, and bus.
ACCOMODATION
Lakeside Hotel and Conference Centre (conference hotel)
The Lakeside Hotel and conference centre is 10 minutes’ walk from Macquarie Centre. Sydney Olympic Park is a 20-minute drive, and Sydney International Airport is a 35-minute drive away. Free on-site parking, free Wi-Fi and restaurant.
Getting to Lakeside Hotel and Conference Centre
Other Hotels Nearby
Mecure Sydney Macquarie Park (distance from conference hotel: 300m)
81 Talavera Road, North Ryde
Adjacent to Macquarie University Hospital and Macquarie University and Macquarie Shopping Centre with 120 spacious rooms with private kitchenette, free Wi-Fi and restaurant.
Meriton Suites North Ryde (distance from conference hotel: 800m)
88 Talavera Road, North Ryde
The modern air-conditioned suites boast a well-equipped kitchenette or kitchen where you can enjoy preparing a fresh home-cooked meal. Each suite has a spacious seating area with a flat-screen TV, internal laundry and free Wi-Fi.
Nightcap at the Ranch Hotel (distance from conference hotel: 1.7 km)
Corner Epping Road and Herring Road, Marsfield, NSW
Nightcap at the Ranch Hotel offers 15 comfortable and affordable 3.5-star guest rooms with free Wi-Fi. Nightcap at the Ranch Hotel features a bistro and two bars.
Holiday Inn Express Sydney Macquarie Park by IHG (distance from conference hotel: 1.5 km)
10 Byfield Street, Macquarie Park, NSW
The location of the hotel makes it ideal for servicing businesses and residents in North Ryde and Macquarie Park with 192 rooms. Free Wi-Fi, Free Express Start™ Breakfast or a Grab & Go option.
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💲 Cost:
Members: $180
Non-Members: $250 (one of 14 reasons to consider HLA Membership)
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📝 Registrations:
📝 Keynote speakers:
Sophie Scott OAM | Adjunct Professor The University of Sydney Sydney School of Public Health | Prevention Research Collaboration Faculty of Medicine and Health Keynote Speaker & Mental Wellbeing & Neuroscience Authority
SOPHIE SCOTT OAM is an international speaker, award-winning broadcast journalist, educator, Associate Professor Author, TedX speaker and was named a TopVoice on LinkedIn. Sophie understands public health and how to communicate it effectively. She has been a leading voice on Australian TV, radio and online in health and science for more than 2 decades. She’s won numerous awards for her ground-breaking health journalism and has a strong reputation for integrity and balance. She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (an award instigated by Queen Elizabeth ll) for services to Australian broadcasting and community health. Her professional expertise is health journalism, patient safety investigations and advocacy for health prevention. She was awarded an Australian Museum Eureka Award for excellence in medical reporting in 2004. She is a skilful communicator, with a strong history as a keynote speaker at leading medical conferences, a TEDx speaker and now presentation coach for health and science experts. Sophie has degrees in history, a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology and has written 3 science-based health books.
Dr. Susan McLaine | Creative Director of Bibliotherapy Australia
Dr. Susan McLaine is a leading advocate and practitioner of bibliotherapy, which uses literature and storytelling to promote wellbeing. For nearly 20 years, she has researched, delivered, written, and spoken about bibliotherapy both in Australia and internationally. Dr. McLaine has offered bibliotherapy in a facilitated, self-reflective format for both adults and children through programs at St Vincents Health Australia, the State Library Victoria, BUPA, and Vision Australia. Her innovative podcasts have been described by The Guardian as “the closest thing to a hug.” Additionally, she travels across the country and offers online training for professionals and non-professionals looking to enhance their wellbeing practices.
🥇 Gold Sponsors:
| EBSCO | Elsevier | Wolters Kluwer |
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🥈 Silver Sponsors:
| MIMS | MCGRAW HILL | JR MEDICAL | BMJ Group |
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| SAGE | SCIENCE | TAYLOR & FRANCIS | SPRINGER NATURE |
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| TELSTRA HEALTH | COVIDENCE | AMH | |
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🌍 WHERE & WHEN
Brisbane: Monday June 16, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Bank, Brisbane
Melbourne: Wednesday June 18, The Events Centre, Collins Square, Melbourne CBD
Adelaide: Friday June 20, Adelaide Convention Centre, Adelaide CBD
💰 COST
Free / nothing / zip / gratis / zilch / complimentary
📝 REGISTER
You can find more details and register on the CAUL website https://www.caul.edu.au/events/caul-exhibition-events-2025
👉 Note – registrations close Wed 30 April
📚 INFORMATION
The upcoming CAUL Exhibition Event, is an invaluable opportunity for library staff, particularly those with an interest in acquisitions, collections, and procurement.
Building on the success of previous years, this event offers a fantastic chance to connect with up to 35 key exhibitors, network with fellow library professionals, and stay updated on the latest trends and innovations in the library sector.
The event will be hosted in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide in June this year. Best of all, it’s completely free for library staff from all sectors, not just higher education. We would love to see library staff from public, school, TAFE, special, government, 👉 health, law, and corporate libraries.
I encourage you to register and join us for this exciting and informative event.
📞 CONTACT FOR ANY QUESTIONS
Rani McLennan | Coordinator, Operations & Engagement
Turrbal and Jagera Country | Brisbane, Queensland | AEST / GMT +10
rani.mclennan@caul.edu.au| www.caul.edu.au | Book a meeting with me
Council of Australasian University Librarians
This year the theme is: Wicked Problems Innovative Solutions.
Libraries face a myriad of complex challenges in today’s dynamic information environment. Often described as ‘wicked problems’ due to their multifaceted and interconnected nature, these encompass diverse issues including;
Addressing these wicked problems requires innovative solutions that often go beyond traditional approaches. They require librarians to be innovative, adaptable and collaborative to provide effective solutions.
Join us for an exhilarating exploration of the multifaceted challenges facing our libraries. Don’t miss the opportunity to join the conversation, collaborate with others and emerge equipped with new knowledge and strategies to navigate the wicked problems of today’s health libraries.
Presentations, we invite you to submit abstracts addressing the wicked problems above with your innovative solutions in 150 – 300 words using the following format if possible: background/introduction, objectives, methods, results, conclusions. Presentations will be 20 minutes long incorporating slides or you may wish to use other technologies for your presentation.
Workshops, we invite you to submit proposals for workshops that emphasise and provide hands-on opportunities to develop skills in areas addressing the themes above. Priority will be given to proposals that are creative, topical and offer opportunity for skill development. Workshop proposals must include: title, description of the topic covered, workshop outcomes, brief biography of the facilitator (name, contact details, affiliation), planned format, duration (max 1.5hr) and details of past presentations of the workshop.
Abstracts and workshop proposals should be sent to the HLA Conference Committee at HLA@alia.org.au by 5.00pm (AEST), Monday 29 April 2024. All abstract and workshop proposals will be reviewed by the conference committee.
View the Conference Program, and – because it’s so great – Register for the Conference
This year’s big event is the joint HLA / HLi conference being held in Melbourne in late October.
This is an in-person 👩 event only so it could be a good time to consider setting aside time ⏲, perhaps planning a holiday 🚢 around the event.
As a bonus, it’s in wonderful Melbourne (3rd most livable city in the world, leaving poor old Sydney in its wake …)