VALA’s 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.

The first VALA conference was held at the University of Melbourne in 1981. From this small beginning the VALA conferences have grown into the largest fully peer-reviewed library technology conference in Australia. Held every two years in Melbourne, the VALA Biennial Conference is now recognised as the premier library and information technology conference within this region, and attracts delegates and exhibitors from across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and beyond.

Honouring its commitment to advancing the profession, VALA conferences include the very popular L-Plate series of lectures. This is a series of introductory sessions focusing on technologies that will be discussed in more detail during the VALA conference, and cater particularly to those new to the industry.

For library tech wizards, VALAtech Boot Camps – also delivered as a core element of conference – are a high end, practical, and technical stream of workshops for library systems staff.

Recognising that VALA’s interests and activities carry across all sorts of technology within the library and broader information sector, the name was changed in 2006 to VALA – Libraries, Technology and the Future. It was at this time VALA introduced its current logo.

In 2008 VALA celebrated its 30th anniversary under the theme of 30 years of looking forward. To celebrate, VALA held a national roadshow in partnership with CAVAL.

In 2010 VALA launched its new web site, powered by the Joomla open source content management platform. This site has undergone a significant rebuild in 2015, giving it a more contemporay look and feel and embracing mobile-responsive technology. The integration of VALA’s Wild Apricot database, also new in 2015, will allow VALA to offer more content, more interaction, and more services to its members, as well as the wider library and information community.

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About VALA

VALA – Libraries, Technology and the Future Inc. is an independent Australian based not-for-profit organisation that actively supports the use and understanding of information technology in libraries and the GLAM sector. In 2018, VALA celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Through its dynamic and professional network of information technology practitioners, VALA offers wide and innovative professional development opportunities, conferences, events, scholarships and awards for its members and friends, most significant of which are:

The peer-reviewed VALA Biennial Conference is widely recognised as the premier library and information technology conference within this region. VALA2020 (Melbourne, February 2020) will be the 20^th Biennial Conference. The treasure trove of papers and presentations from all VALA conferences is a valuable and unique record of the development of library IT, and it is freely available in the Conference section on this web site.
VALA Tech Camp is an intensive, hands-on learning and sharing experience run for and by the tech-savvy people who code, build, teach and maintain technology for libraries and collections. Tech Camp runs in the non-Conference years.
VALA Events run 4-5 times a year to share and discuss the latest in cutting edge information technology trends. Open to all, VALA Events include regular webinars to break down barriers for participation, particularly for those working in regional and remote areas. Anyone working in the information industry is welcome to attend. For more information on future and past VALA events see the Events section on this web site.
VALA funds a number of Diversity Scholarships to address barriers to participation by regional, remote and indigenous members of the library community in both library and technical events. For more information, refer to the Awards section of this web site.
VALA recognises and celebrates excellence within the library and information technology community via the VALA Award, and the prestigious Robert D. Williamson Award. For more information, refer to the Awards section of this web site.

With the support of its members, sponsors and partners, VALA remains fully independent and self-funded. New members are always welcome - see our Membership section for details.

VALA’s Aims

As part of the 40th anniversary program in 2018, VALA reviewed and amended its statement of purpose.

VALA’s purpose is:

To cultivate innovative and sustainable use of technology in the information community by:

Inspiring communities of practice
Facilitating exchange of information and the exploration of new ideas
Recognising and celebrating excellence

VALA Values

We are Inclusive

VALA welcomes everyone who works in, with, and for libraries and other cultural institutions. VALA activities are for, and open to, everyone: regardless of membership status, professional qualification, industry sector, experience, or technical ability.

We are Inquisitive

VALA encourages the curious investigation and discovery of ideas to further understand the complexity of technology and libraries. We provide a space for open discourse and seek to build deeper knowledge to support our communities of practice.

We are Innovative

VALA actively seeks new ways to engage with and deliver services to our network. Through our awards and events programs, we celebrate and elevate those who challenge the status quo and who bring a fresh and creative perspective to our sector.

We are Open

VALA communicates transparently and provides opportunities for all members to be involved in governance and planning. We provide open access to papers, recordings of events, and other information we produce, as part of our service to the LIS community.

We are Responsive

VALA represents the cutting edge of technology and libraries, and responds quickly as the industry’s focus, challenges, opportunities and needs change. We listen to what our community needs, and act accordingly.