ANZTLA Conference

18/10/2026

🥇 GOLD SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: OCLC

When we talk about moving from Scrolls to Screens, few global library organisations embody that journey like OCLC.

From creating WorldCat, the world’s largest, most comprehensive database of library collections. To pioneering modern Webscale management platforms, OCLC connects libraries across Australia, New Zealand, and the globe to share data, streamline workflows, and make knowledge universally discoverable.

How OCLC supports theological and specialist libraries:
🌐 WorldShare Management Services (WMS): A cloud-based platform that unifies cataloging, circulation, license management, and discovery into a single seamless workflow.
🔎 WorldCat Discovery & Connexion: Putting your unique collections—including rare theological texts—on the global map while simplifying metadata management.
🤝 Resource Sharing & Interlibrary Loan: Connecting researchers to materials across institutions worldwide with unparalleled speed.
🔒 EZproxy: Ensuring safe, effortless remote access to electronic resources for students and faculty wherever they are.

A massive thank you to OCLC for being a Gold Sponsor of the ANZTLA Conference and for their steadfast commitment to advancing library collaboration!

Say hello at the conference:
Stop by the OCLC stand during the expo to chat with their team about WMS, metadata, or how to maximise your library’s presence on WorldCat! 💬

16/10/2026

As we explore our Scrolls to Screens conference theme, Brand’s classic line reminds us of the core mission of theological libraries: breaking down barriers to knowledge.

Moving from physical scrolls to digital screens has dramatically lowered the friction of sharing research, historical texts, and rare materials with global scholars. Yet, information professionals know that the ecosystem behind "free" information requires continuous investment in digital infrastructure, copyright management, and preservation.

A question for the ANZTLA community:

What is one open-access project or repository (in theological or religious studies) that your library relies on or recommends most to researchers?

Let’s build a list in the comments! 💬

15/10/2026

As information professionals, we all love a good library tour, but the Friday site visit to the State Library of New South Wales at this year’s ANZTLA conference is going to be a real highlight.As Australia's oldest library, the State Library holds some of the country's most significant research collections. Stepping into the historic Mitchell Library Reading Room -surrounded by grand architecture, miles of heritage shelving, and centuries of Australian and Pacific history is always a great reminder of why we do what we do.

For our group, it’s a brilliant opportunity to look closely at how a major cultural institution handles large-scale preservation, collection management, and access to special research collections. Plus, we’ll also be stopping by the Edmund and Joanna Capon Research Library at the Art Gallery of NSW while we’re out.

If you’re joining the conference remotely, you’ll get all the great papers—but walking through these heritage stacks and chatting with colleagues in person is something you can only do on site.

If you haven't finalized your registration yet, make sure to secure an in-person ticket so you can join us at the conference!

Register here: https://www.anztla.org/

13/10/2026

🌊 SPECIAL CONFERENCE SCREENING: The Pool

Beyond paper scrolls and digital screens lies another vital medium for stories: cinema.

We are thrilled to announce a special conference screening of The Pool, Ian Darling’s cinematic documentary capturing a year in the life of Sydney’s iconic Bondi Icebergs pool.

On the surface, it’s a stunning visual study of one of the world's most recognizable ocean pools. Beneath the waves, it’s a story about community, belonging, shared memory, and how human connection anchors us in a changing world. As Ian Darling reminds us through the film, "At Bondi Icebergs, no matter your background, everyone is equal in their swimsuits."

For Librarians dedicated to preserving culture and fostering community spaces, it’s a beautiful reminder of why gathering together matters. Join us after the screening for a discussion with ANZTLA President Cindy Derrenbacker.

Join us for the screening:
Grab your popcorn, take a breath away from the presentation slides, and enjoy a meditative look at Sydney’s coastal heart with your ANZTLA colleagues.

What’s your favorite iconic Sydney spot you’re hoping to visit while in town for the conference? Let us know below! 👇

12/10/2026

💎 PLATINUM SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: SirsiDynix & CloudSource

As we explore our conference theme, Scrolls to Screens, providing seamless, barrier-free access to scholarship is top of mind for every theological and research library.That’s why we are beyond thrilled to showcase our Platinum Sponsor, SirsiDynix, and their game-changing platform, CloudSource!

🌟Why CloudSource is a game-changer for our community:

1️⃣ Putting Open Access First: CloudSource flips traditional discovery on its head by bringing over 80 million vetted Open Access (OA) articles, eBooks, and Open Educational Resources directly to the forefront.
2️⃣ One-Click Access: Say goodbye to complex authentication chains and dead ends—CloudSource provides frictionless, instant access to full text for researchers and students.
3️⃣ Maximizing Library Budgets: By surfacing high-quality, open-access research, CloudSource helps libraries rethink costly subscription packages without compromising on academic depth. In a world transitioning from physical collections to digital screens, SirsiDynix is helping libraries lead the way with smarter, more accessible research ecosystems.

A massive thank you to SirsiDynix for their generous support in making this year’s ANZTLA conference possible.

Connect with the team:Be sure to drop by their exhibit table during the sponsor expo or chat with their representatives to see how CloudSource can transform discovery at your institution! 💬

11/10/2026

Join us at ANZTLA for an interactive session with Dr Louise Gosbell, New Testament scholar and leading disability advocate, as she unpacks Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

As our libraries move increasingly to digital environments, creating genuinely accessible learning spaces, resources, and discovery tools is more crucial than ever. In this hands-on session, Dr Gosbell will share practical strategies to help us design flexible, inclusive learning experiences that cater to the diverse needs of all our patrons.

Quick question for our community:

What is one small tweak your library has made recently to make your digital or physical resources more accessible?

Drop your thoughts below, and get ready to bring your practical questions to Dr Gosbell’s session! 👇

09/10/2026

How many times have you set up a new library system, digitized a rare collection, or used AI search tools and thought: How does this actually work under the hood?

Arthur C. Clarke famously wrote, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."

When we think about our conference theme, Scrolls to Screens, it’s easy to see how magical our current tools would look to the scribes who crafted the original scrolls in our collections. But as librarians, archivists, and information professionals, our job isn't just to admire the "magic" it's to master it, contextualise it, and make it accessible to our communities.

We’d love to hear from you: What is one piece of library tech you use today that still feels a little bit like magic to you?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 👇

09/10/2026

One of the highlights of attending the ANZTLA conference in person is always the chance to get out and look at how other institutions manage their spaces and collections.

This year in Sydney, Friday's site visits are going to be particularly good. Alongside a visit to the State Library of NSW, we're heading over to the Edmund and Joanna Capon Research Library at the Art Gallery of NSW.

If you haven't spent time in the Capon Library, it’s an incredible collectionover 100,000 volumes, rare art publications, personal archives, and Australia’s first dedicated children’s art library. For anyone interested in collection care, specialised research tools, or visual arts resources, there is so much to take in.

Online attendance is fantastic for the paper sessions, but these site tours and the chance to walk through these collections with colleagues are strictly in-person perks.

If you haven't finalized your registration yet, make sure to grab an in-person ticket so you don't miss Friday's itinerary!

Register here: https://www.anztla.org/

01/10/2026

Do you remember meeting Joan of Archives during ANZTLA’s visit to the State Library of Queensland last year?

Libraries are turning to social media to connect with their communities – with brilliant, often hilarious results. On the way, they’ve launched some unlikely stars.

👉 Read the full story: https://theconversation.com/here-are-five-of-australias-top-library-influencers-one-is-a-72-year-old-rare-books-librarian-291875

💬 Comment "newsletter" and we'll send you the link to sign up for our free wrap of the latest insight and analysis.

01/10/2026

We're delighted to welcome Softlink as a Gold Sponsor of the 40th ANZTLA Conference.

Their support plays an important role in bringing together library professionals and strengthening connections across our community.

Thank you, Softlink, for your support of ANZTLA 2026.

Liberty Library Management System is a library management software solution for academic, corporate, special, medical and public libraries.