# VALA

VALA – Libraries, Technology and the Future Inc. (VALA) is an Australian not-for-profit professional organisation that promotes the use and understanding of information and communication technologies across the galleries, libraries, archives and museum sectors.

## History

VALA was established as the Victorian Association for Library Automation in 1978 in response to the emergence of automated library catalogues and other technologies that were revolutionising the industry at the time. In 2006 VALA's name was changed to VALA – Libraries, Technology and the Future. This was in recognition of dramatic changes in the information landscape which include the rise of ebooks and ejournals, the social web, cloud computing and mobile devices. In recent years VALA has signed separate memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the New Zealand Library Association LIANZA to foster cooperation and to better coordinate the respective organisation's activities.

## Governance and membership

VALA is governed by a Committee elected annually from the VALA membership. Membership is open to anyone interested in the professional aims of the organisation.

## Conferences

The VALA biennial conference is one of the largest conferences of its type in the region. Commencing in 1981, VALA conferences have provided one of the major points of contact for Australian librarians with their overseas counterparts.
Since 2010 VALA conferences have been held in the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
| Date | Conference | Theme |
| 14-16 June 2022 | 21st VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition | Bring IT On! Onsite and Online |
| 11–13 February 2020 | 20th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition | Focus on the Future |
| 13–15 February 2018 | 19th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition | Libraries, Technology and the Future |
| 8–11 February 2016 | 18th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition | Libraries, Technology and the Future |
| 3–6 February 2014 | 17th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition | Streaming with possibilities |
| 6–9 February 2012 | 16th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition | eM-Powering eFutures |
| 8–11 February 2010 | 15th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition | Connections, Content, Conversations |
| 5–11 February 2008 | 14th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition | Libraries/Changing Spaces, Virtual Places |
| 8–10 February 2006 | 13th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition | Connecting with Users |
| 3–5 February 2004 | 12th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition | Breaking Boundaries: Integration & Interoperability |
| 6–8 February 2002 | 11th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition | e-volving information futures |
| 6–18 February 2000 | 10th VALA Biennial Conference and Exhibition | Books and bytes : technologies for the hybrid library |

## Professional development events

VALA holds a series of face-to-face and online professional development events throughout the year. The topics of the meetings support and promote an understanding of technology within the libraries and broader information sector. Where possible, free podcasts of these meetings are available on the VALA web site.

## Awards

VALA aims to further support research in and around the library information science sector through the provision of a series of awards
VALA grants the following awards:
* The Robert D. Williamson Award – Awarded biennially to an individual or organisation who, in the opinion of the judging panel, is currently making an outstanding contribution to the development of information technology usage in Australian libraries and is positively and significantly influencing development in information technology usage within libraries.
* The VALA Award – made biennially, is presented to the Australian library or information centre judged to have made the most innovative use of information technology during the previous two years.
* The VALA Travel Scholarship – every two years VALA offers up to two Travel Scholarships to enable suitable persons to travel overseas to examine aspects of library automation. Recipients receive up to A$13,000 towards travel, accommodation and living expenses. Successful candidates must complete their study in time to present their findings at the following VALA Biennial Conference.
* The VALA Student Award - Each year, the VALA Student Award is presented to one student from RMIT University and one from Monash University, in recognition of outstanding achievement in postgraduate library and information management courses.
| Year | VALA Award Winners |
| 2022 | State Library of Queensland |
| 2020 | State Library of New South Wales and State Library of Queensland |
| 2018 | State Library of Queensland |
| 2016 | National Library of Australia and University of Melbourne |
| 2014 | Curtin University Library |
| 2012 | Griffith University Research Hub |
| 2010 | Willoughby City Library, New South Wales |
| 2008 | Informit TVNews |
| 2006 | State Library of Queensland |