Libraries are trusted institutions of memory, knowledge and discovery that empower every person to full participation in a democratic society.
NSLA is an alliance of the national, state and territory libraries of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Together, we harness our collective expertise and scale to empower future-focused, responsive libraries that advance knowledge, inspire curiosity and underpin the values of inclusive, democratic societies.
DISCOVER OUR WORK
Beginning as the State Librarians' Council in 1973, NSLA's members now include the state libraries of Australia together with the territory records office, library and archives NT and national libraries of Australia and New Zealand. Our work over the current period focuses on delivering outcomes across three shared horizons:
> Our vision:
National and state libraries are vital and resilient memory institutions and the pillars of cohesive democracies. Our economic and social contribution, and our role in building reading cultures, empowers informed participation in society and ensures equitable access to knowledge.
> How we will get there:
- Activate library collections as civic infrastructure to spark curiosity, foster critical thinking, and encourage informed and respectful dialogue and discourse
- Synthesise strategies and align efforts and resources across our alliance and with key partners to enhance the visibility and benefits of reading, amplifying the role and reach of all libraries
Projects and initiatives
Empowering Project Number One, 2025-26
Reading Culture Partnership Program, 2026-27
Civic Collections Dialogue Series, 2026-28
> Our vision:
We lead in innovation and user experience by actively exploring and experimenting to ensure that libraries and trusted knowledge remain central to intellectual inquiry amid an increasingly complex information ecosystem.
> How we will get there:
- Test, learn and experiment with AI and other technologies to unlock new value from our memory collections for current and new library users
- Mature our approach to rights management, balancing new opportunities for access, innovation and knowledge creation and upholding the rights of creators
Projects and initiatives
Discovery Project Number One, 2025-26
AI Discovery Labs Pilot, 2026-27
Rights & Access Modernisation Sprint, 2026-28
> Our vision:
Our collective expertise, influence, and scale drives equitable outcomes for our members and their communities. We will champion our libraries' unique value, advocate on behalf of our sector, and foster a new generation of diverse, confident leaders who reflect the communities we serve.
> How we will get there:
- Improve our collection of data, research, statistics and impact case studies
- Utilise our collective influence, research and data for advocacy
- Continued exploration of opportunities for shared resources, tenancy, storage, and other vendor agreements
- Build relationships with partners and stakeholders aligned with a strong knowledge ecosystem
- Grow capability, recognise contribution and develop leaders across our sector
Projects and initiatives
Alliance Project Number One, 2025-26
Shared Evidence & Impact Hub, 2026-27
Sector Leadership Pipeline Program, 2027-29
Our constitutional purpose is to bring together the knowledge and expertise of the national, state and territory libraries of Australia and New Zealand in order to build, manage and provide access to library collections and services that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
> Our decision-making is guided by our shared commitment to:
- Rights and responsibilities — We are active champions of the rights and responsibilities that underpin an open and democratic society.
- Momentum — We are future-focused and willing to experiment, test and learn, sharing risk and reward.
- Collaboration — We promote equity of participation, contribution and opportunity.
- Inclusivity — We embrace the diversity of our institutions, our people, and the communities we serve as the defining strength of our alliance.
- Technology for good — We use technology thoughtfully, ethically and as an enabler of positive impact.
Our Member Libraries
Beginning as the State Librarians' Council in 1973, NSLA's members now include the state libraries of Australia together with the territory records office, library and archives NT and national libraries of Australia and New Zealand.
