Excited to be at the #VALA2026 library technology conference today in Melbourne. Kicking off with a keynote from Roxanne Missingham from State Library of Victoria. “Library impact through embracing technology”

After lunch a session from Elizabeth Hounslow from Flinders University #Library. “Journey into the Heart of knowledge: Embedding Cultural Safety and Inclusion at Flinders University Library”. #VALA2026

Recurring theme over his career a conversation between #OpenSource, open standards and communities as a means to create better #Library technology. Led to FOLIO, ReShare, CrossLink, CYCLOPS #VALA2026

#VALA2026 Morning keynote from Sebastian Hammer. Retaining Independence. How open standards, open source and interoperability can give #Libraries greater freedom and control. How technology choices made today will shape the future of libraries and their communities.

Historically a real desire in Australia for the connection of informed decision making to libraries, communities and the media. #Libraries as an agent of democracy #VALA2026

/1 At vala2026 watching Session by Deakin University on how they evaluate AI search tools. What i found fascinating was the answers by the audience when shown a Consensus search and asked what they would check first before passing the report to a user

deakin.libguides.com/AI-Evaluatio...

Things to think about when engaging with indigenous art to improve inclusivity in #Libraries - Is it decoration? Who judges success? What outlasts the plan? Where the evidence is not clear, say so and keep listening. #VALA2026

#Libraries as pillars of democracy. What does that actually mean? Libraries as democracy’s drag anchors. A means to slow the slide into autocracy. Libraries aren’t going to fix the issues but slow them down. Bridge differences in privileged access. Remove barriers to personal growth. #VALA2026

Libraries are not neutral places. What is the Flinders University Library communicating to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders? Reconciliation requires us what we have been saying and what we need to fix.
“Too much white” - Uncle Lewis, Elder on campus #VALA2026

For the library - Ngutungka "place of knowledge". Kaurna wording gifted to the library by community. #Library commissioned artwork from first nations artists in a codesign process with students and staff. Used operational funding to licence copyright of the image for wider use at library. #VALA2026

We need to reflect on the impact of our roles in #Libraries, tell those stories to our funders and collect the data to inform it. #VALA2026

Moving from a network of libraries across Australia to a national treasure in TROVE. From internal use to real world impact for users who can access from home. #VALA2026.

In this changing world how do we collect, preserve and provide access to content for future generations? How do we engage around this invisible work with communities? #VALA2026

Role of #libraries in providing the willingness and imagination to explore and provide services to people that they need. Learning new tech skills, applying technologies and building infrastructure for the future #VALA2026

Aim to give the users of software a seat at the table. #UX first approach with #Libraries to avoid rebuilding what already exists. Always thinking about how to realise a vision of community ownership. Relationship of ReShare with ISO18626 standard #VALA2026