Australian Library and Information Association

28/05/2026

📚⚽🦘 Thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime!

From libraries and schools to early learning centres, bookshops and homes, it was wonderful to see communities across Australia come together to share Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller.

You can now watch the official NSS recording on SBS On Demand or on the ALIA youtube channel.

SBS 📺 https://buff.ly/ezK6K0V
ALIA 💻 https://buff.ly/ViSflQb

🎨 Don’t forget to enter the Luna Roo jersey design competition! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gEAzkppV

🏅 Participation certificates have now been sent to registrants and are also available to download from the NSS webpage 👉 https://buff.ly/mqRV617

Thank you for helping make NSS 2026 another incredible celebration of stories, reading and connection. 💛

27/05/2026

📚⚽🦘 Today’s the day!

National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 is finally here.

At 12:00pm AEST, millions of children, families, schools, libraries and early learning communities across Australia will come together to share this year’s story, Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd and illustrated by Jake Minton.

Thank you to everyone taking part in this incredible shared reading moment. Whether you’re joining from a classroom, library, lounge room or community space — we can’t wait to celebrate with you.

Don’t forget: the official NSS recording link, PDF and resources have been sent to all registered participants. Please check your inbox (and junk folder just in case!) before the event begins.

24/05/2026

📚⚽🦘 Just 2 days to go until National Simultaneous Storytime 2026!

This Wednesday at 12:00pm AEST, millions of children, families, libraries, schools and early learning centres across Australia will come together to read Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller by Adam
Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, illustrated by Jake Minton and published by Little Book Press

This year’s NSS is shaping up to be one of the biggest yet (over 2 million readers and counting!) with exclusive Story Box Library content, resources from Twinkl Australia , Copyright Agency's Reading Australia, Vision Australia, CleverPatch, Little Book Press, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, AssistiveWare and Key Word Sign.

Plus for the first time ever, the official NSS recording - featuring a reading from the Luna Roo authors, drawing demonstration by Jake Minton and hosted by one of Australia’s leading voices in football broadcasting Niav Owens - will be heading to SBS On Demand following the event.

📩 Registered participants will receive:

✔️ The official NSS event link
✔️ A PDF copy of the book to read on the day
✔️ Links to the resources

Haven’t registered yet? There’s still time to join Australia’s biggest shared reading experience.

Register today 👉 https://buff.ly/czOuZ2b

19/05/2026

📚 Just 24 hours left to register! ⏰

Looking to sharpen your readers’ advisory skills and build confidence recommending the right book for the right reader?

The June 2026 Readers’ Advisory course is your chance to deepen your knowledge of RA interviews, discover new tools and resources, and explore ways to better connect readers with stories they’ll love.

Perfect for public and school library staff — or anyone wanting to strengthen their readers’ advisory practice.

Over three flexible online weeks, you’ll explore:
📖 Reading tastes, levels and formats
💬 RA interview techniques and strategies
🔎 Tools and resources for recommendations
📚 Ways to organise and promote collections

✔ Self-paced online learning
✔ Approx. 5 hours per week
✔ Certificate of Participation on completion

Don’t miss out — registrations close tomorrow!

Register 👉https://buff.ly/Pz3oNXC

18/05/2026

📚⚽ 10 days to go until National Simultaneous Storytime 2026! ⚽📚

Australia’s biggest shared reading event is almost here — and excitement is building for this year’s official story, Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller! 🦘✨

To celebrate the countdown, there’s even more to explore from Story Box Library including the full recording of Elise Kellond-Knight reading Luna Roo, the read along and AUSLAN versions, and a Q&A with Elise reflecting on courage, confidence, resilience and life beyond the pitch.

Explore - https://storyboxhub.com/nss

It’s the perfect companion to Luna Roo’s message of bravery, teamwork and believing in yourself — especially with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ just around the corner. ⚽🌏

📅 Don’t forget: you must be registered for National Simultaneous Storytime to receive:

• the exclusive official NSS event link
• the PDF of Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller
• activity sheets and learning resources
• accessibility resources and more

Join millions of readers across Australia on Wednesday 27 May at 12pm AEST as we share one story, together.

Register for NSS - https://buff.ly/czOuZ2b

Join us for National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 (NSS) as we come together to read Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, illustrated by Jake Minton and published by Little Book Press. Cheer for Luna Roo as she finds her inner strength on the field in this energetic underdog....

05/05/2026

📣 New report: Ready to act - Media literacy and the role of Australia's public libraries

ALIA and PressReader have today released Ready to Act, a new report exploring how Australian public libraries are supporting media literacy—and where more support is needed.

Drawing on insights from 340 library professionals across metropolitan and regional Australia, the findings highlight both commitment and challenge:

• 99% of librarians see media literacy as essential
• 73% feel somewhat equipped to support it
• Just 10% feel very well equipped

At a time of rising misinformation, scams and AI-generated content, libraries remain one of the most trusted community spaces to build critical thinking and informed engagement. But the report makes clear: the need is growing faster than current capacity.

The report also includes practical strategies libraries can implement now, alongside insights into the barriers they face and the role of access to quality journalism.

Find out more and access the report 👉 https://buff.ly/ydxPNL1

28/04/2026

📚⏱️ One month to go until National Simultaneous Storytime 2026!

On 27 May at 12pm, libraries, schools, early learning centres and families across Australia will come together to share one story—Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, illustrated by Jake A. Minton and published by Little Book Press

And to help you bring your storytime to life, we’re delighted to share that our partners at Twinkl Australia have released their incredible official NSS 2026 resource collection 🎉

From activity packs and crafts to literacy, numeracy and STEM-aligned resources, there’s something for every setting—designed to make it easy to engage children with the story’s themes of courage, teamwork and backing yourself.

Whether you’re planning a full program or a simple shared reading moment, these ready-to-use resources will help you create an experience that’s meaningful, creative, memorable—and a lot of fun.

⚽ Explore the resources 👉 https://www.twinkl.com.au/l/afg6l
🦘 Register for NSS 2026 👉https://buff.ly/r7x5bSs

Let’s make this the biggest National Simultaneous Storytime yet!

2026 - Luna Roo, the Kangaroo Baller , Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), , Partnerships Australia, We're passionate about working closely with organisations who reflect our commitment to helping children learn. Would like to explore how to partner with us?

07/04/2026

Registrations close tomorrow ⏰

Have you heard about seed libraries and been curious about how one could be incorporated into your workplace? Keen to learn more about seed libraries and the role they play in a good world?

Join us for 'Seed libraries: getting started', a webinar exploring how libraries can support sustainability, community connection and citizen science.

You’ll explore:

🌱 Why start a seed library
🪴 What’s involved in setting one up
🌵 Examples from existing initiatives
🌳 How to embed seed libraries into programs
🧑‍🔬 Connections with citizen science

You will also hear from an expert panel including Rebecca Newburn (founder of the Seed Library Network), Bridie Schultz (teachSTEM) and ALIA Green’s Lauren Markwell, alongside Jacqui Lucas AALIA (DCP) from ALIA.

There will also be time for Q&A—bring your questions or send them in advance.

📅 TOMORROW - 9 April | ⏰ 12–1pm AEST | 💻 Online

Register 👉 https://buff.ly/imSj01y

Have you heard about seed libraries and been curious about how one could be incorporated into your workplace?  Keen to learn more about seed libraries and the role they play in a good world? 

02/04/2026

We’re excited to launch INCITE Online—a new, open-access digital hub for the Australian library and information sector 🎉

Moving beyond the digital quarterly magazine format, INCITE is now a year-round digital hub—bringing together timely stories, research, and perspectives from across the profession, all in one place.

With new content added year-round, INCITE Online offers more opportunities to share your voice. New features include:

💬 Comment function for all articles (available to ALIA Members only - all comments are moderated)

✉️ Social media sharing: share your favourite articles and stories on LinkedIn, Facebook or via email.

✅ More content, more often: new content will be added on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

🛒 New advertising opportunities for industry partners including advertorial options: promote your organisation, product or brand via an INCITE Online homepage banner or craft your very own advertorial.

So dive in, explore the site, and consider contributing your own story.

🔗 https://buff.ly/PWnXDWl

23/03/2026

We’re delighted to partner with Twinkl Australia once again for National Simultaneous Storytime 2026, with an exciting suite of educational resources for Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller on the way!

From literacy and numeracy to STEM and social-emotional learning, these resources are designed to support every classroom and library setting.

More details and downloads are coming soon— so be sure bookmark the Luna Roo Hub and watch this space 👀

Luna Roo hub 👉 https://www.twinkl.com.au/l/gm8mx

In the meantime, enjoy this special message from Luna Roo authors Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd👇