Health Libraries Inc (HLi)/Health Libraries Australia (HLA) invites submissions for its upcoming conference exploring the theme:
The fire within: Passion and purpose in health libraries
Health libraries are powered by passion – for evidence, learning, innovation, collaboration and advocacy. In an environment of rapid change and increasing demand, health librarians continue to adapt, lead and demonstrate their value across clinical care, research, education and organisational decision-making.
This conference will showcase how health libraries ignite change, sustain momentum and align purpose with impact. We invite contributions that share practice-based insights, innovations, lesson learned and future-focused ideas that reflect the vital role of health libraries today and into the future.
The program will comprise invited keynotes, 20-minute presentations, 10-minute lightning talks, 1.5-hour workshops and poster presentations, aligned to the sub-themes below.
Sub-themes
Igniting Knowledge & Fuel for Evidence: Evolving health librarian roles
This sub-theme explores how health librarians generate, manage and apply knowledge and evidence to support informed decision making across health organisations. It highlights the evolving roles of librarians as trusted partners in clinical care, research support, education and organisational practice.
Sparks of Innovation & Fanning the Flames: Advocacy and demonstrating value in health libraries
This sub-theme focuses on how health libraries innovate, adopt new technologies and advocate for their value in a rapidly changing information environment. It brings together digital transformation and impact storytelling, emphasising meaningful, ethical and sustainable change.
Community Fire and Lighting the Path: Partnerships, education and health literacy
This sub-theme highlights the relational and collaborative nature of health librarianship. It focuses on partnerships that matter, and on teaching and learning initiatives that build capability, confidence and health information literacy among staff, students, researchers, consumers and communities.
Presentation types
Full presentation: 20- minutes
We invite abstracts of 200-350 words for 20-minute presentations addressing one or more conference sub-themes. Presentations should focus on applied practice, evaluation, service innovation or research relevant to health library and information services.
Lightning Talks: 10-minutes
Lightning talks provide a fast-paced opportunity to share a single idea, initiative or insight. Lightning talks will be 10 minutes in length and may incorporate a small number of slides (5-12 at the most). Abstracts should be 150-200 words and may address one or more of the conference themes.
Call for Workshop proposals
Workshops: 1.5 hour (90 mins)
Workshops should be interactive and skills-focused, providing participants with practical tools, techniques or approaches aligned to the conference sub-themes.
Details of any previous delivery of the workshop (if applicable)
Call for Poster Presentations
Poster presentations provide an opportunity to showcase projects, ideas and work-in-progress in a visual and conversational format. Posters are particularly suited to emerging initiatives, exploratory work and practice-based projects.
We invite poster abstracts aligned with one or more of the conference sub-themes. Poster abstracts should be 150-200 words and may address one or more of the conference themes.
Posters will be displayed throughout the conference, with dedicated viewing times included in the program.
Submission processes and Review
Abstracts and workshop proposals will be peer-reviewed by the conference committee.
Details regarding submission deadlines, notification dates and submission processes will be provided shortly.
Questions or queries – please contact conference organisers on hlinccom@gmail.com
Keynote Speaker
Dr Ranjana Srivastava is an oncologist, Fulbright scholar, and award-winning writer. She is a long-time columnist for The Guardian newspaper where she writes on the intersection of medicine and humanity. Ranjana practices in the Victorian public hospital system and specialises in geriatric oncology, the care of older patients with cancer. She also has a deep interest in the welfare of multicultural and disadvantaged communities.
Ranjana’s two Fulbright awards allowed her to obtain a fellowship in medical ethics at the University of Chicago and a Master in Public Administration at Harvard University.
Among her many awards, Ranjana is the recipient of a Human Rights Literature Prize for her book, Dying for a Chat. She recently won the Kennedy Award for Outstanding Columnist for her writing on compassion in medicine. Her TEDx Talk The Art of Medicine is a thoughtful reflection on the importance of honesty in medicine. Her commitment to ethical medicine saw her receive a Medal of the Order of Australia for her contribution to doctor-patient communication.
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?
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.
Adjacent to Macquarie University Hospital and Macquarie University and Macquarie Shopping Centre with 120 spacious rooms with private kitchenette, free Wi-Fi and restaurant.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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;
Open access publishing
AI technologies
Advocacy and community engagement
Digital transformation
Equity of access
Copyright and intellectual property
Funding and budget constraints
Changing user demands
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.
