Lena’s Placement at ALIA House

by Elena Smirnova | Mar 6, 2025 | Professional Development

I am studying online for a Masters in Information Studies at Charles Sturt University and a NEW actor in Library and Information Services (LIS). As an old school person, I was seeking a face-to-face placement experience and was lucky to have the amazing opportunity to join the ALIA House Team in ACT for two weeks, from 13 to 24 January 2025. At the entrance, I was impressed by a great building with the ‘ALIA House’ sign on the top outside, and when I stepped through the foyer I felt like Cinderella at the ball.

The ALIA House Team is a brilliant, highly educated small society with multiple LIS qualifications and great experience. They gave me a lot of information and advice. The working culture is highly professional, dynamic, and intensive at times with lots of multi-tasking. However it is also very supportive, friendly, helpful, and warmly welcoming to new people, ‘former’ people, ALL people. The team made me feel right at home.

It was a bit challenging to be involved in the staff and project meetings, nevertheless it was a privilege for me. The ALIA House Team is divided into a few small departments such as the Engagement & Membership Team, Training & Events Team, Programs & Education Team, and Communication & Publications Team to engage and contribute to LIS across the Country . This dynamic and multi-tasking sphere brings many challenges and opportunities with lots of fieldwork occurring at the same time. Even so, all teams are on the same page because they have built strong internal communications and relationships with each other. These dynamics really enhanced my placement experience.

Working with the librarians to maintain the online repository was a fantastic experience, and using a system that was new to me extended my professional skills and knowledge. I enjoyed discussing my ideas with the Engagement and Events Teams, especially when I was asked for my opinion and insights, which were supposed to be considered in their work. I am really proud of how I have become more confident with asking questions in such an open and comfortable working environment. It was funny and helpful for gaining a deeper understanding of the organisation, work, processes, events, etc. I definitely felt I was a part of the team.

I am extremely grateful to all the staff who took time out of their days to show me their roles, projects, events, duties, and talk to me about their work. It was a fabulous experience to develop a network in my industry. Beyond my scheduled tasks, I was
able to spend time learning deeply about the many wonderful goings on at ALIA. During the two weeks, I was able to join a couple of library tours as well. All in all, I had a fantastic time and I am very grateful to everyone at ALIA House for the opportunity, and for being so welcoming and friendly.

I highly recommend a face-to-face placement. What could be better?!! To be under the umbrella of Australian LIS organisations and institutions is very informative and productive. There are many experts in the office at the same time representing different sectors: Academic, School, Public, Special, National & States Libraries and institutions. Excellent networking is a part of their corporate culture, and something you would miss with an online placement.

Completing my placement tasks and achieving all my placement professional goals has increased my confidence and experience within ALIA. However, the whole experience was so much more than I had expected. I discussed and carried out my own project and visited three libraries in Canberra. I was able to spend time exploring and studying in an amazing part of the country. This two-week placement at ALIA House has been the highlight of my study experience so far, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone! Here my ‘Library Cinderella’ ball is finished!