ALIA SA Group

Did you know that Adelaide boasted the first free Children's Library in Australia, and that it was run by a woman? The non-lending library opened on the ground floor of the Institute Building in 1915, with former school teacher Miss Annie Whitham appointed superintendent. Annie was also the first university graduate, male or female, to join the library staff. The library was open on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 2-5, with all 50 seats taken every Sunday. Once a month on Saturday, the place was packed for a special reading hour. An early lecture series for kids, on everything from 'Fishes that make nests' to 'Wanderings in Paris' attracted up to 1000 applications! In 1917, a reporter from The Register noted that the idea had come from America and was being considered by other states. "Reading cultivates reflection," the reporter wisely wrote, "and reflection produces thoughtful men and women." A visitor from NSW was also high on praise: "In the city library I found a lovely little institution called a children's library. This was filled with all the sweet, healthy literature that delights the boy and girl. They had little seats and little tables and a little lady attendant, as proud of her library as if all the children in it were her own."

Annie Whitham, for introducing a generation of South Australian children to reading, we salute you!

And at our gorgeous State Library of South Australia right now, you'll find a new children's exhibition Pull Pop Push - revealing the magic of pop-up books. It's on until late January.

📷Sadly, I can't find a portrait of Miss Whitham, however this might be her below as it’s taken from a 1915 pamphlet on the library.
📒 State Library: https://tinyurl.com/26fpxem4

One of the best kept secrets in parenting? A toy library.

A place where families can borrow toys, discover new play experiences, connect with their community and support children's learning through play.

Simple, practical and full of value for growing families.

Check out one of the 400 toy libraries nationwide.

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🌟 What will you try this July? 🤷‍♂️

Firstival will be back next month!

Discover something inspiring: www.firstival.com.au

Starting out in the library and information sector is exciting — but once you’ve landed that first role, how do you navigate what comes next?

Join the next webinar in the ALIA Students and Early Career Network series, 'Driving your career: you’ve got your first job, what’s next?', as a panel of experienced library professionals share practical advice on building a meaningful and sustainable career in the sector.

📅 10 June 2026
⏰ 1:30pm–2:30pm AEST
💻 Online via Zoom
🎟️ Free for ALIA members

Featuring:

• Sophie Farrar
• Clare Thorpe
• Josie Shaw
• Olivia Chapman

Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about your next move, this session is designed to help you plan your path with confidence.

Register now 👉 https://www.alia.org.au/EventDetail?EventKey=EVENT0626

📚⚽🦘 Thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime!

From libraries and schools to early learning centres, bookshops and homes, it was wonderful to see communities across Australia come together to share Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller.

You can now watch the official NSS recording on SBS On Demand or on the ALIA youtube channel.

SBS 📺 https://buff.ly/ezK6K0V
ALIA 💻 https://buff.ly/ViSflQb

🎨 Don’t forget to enter the Luna Roo jersey design competition! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gEAzkppV

🏅 Participation certificates have now been sent to registrants and are also available to download from the NSS webpage 👉 https://buff.ly/mqRV617

Thank you for helping make NSS 2026 another incredible celebration of stories, reading and connection. 💛

The ALIA Mentoring Scheme is now open. The 12-month program creates structured mentoring partnerships, where the Mentor helps the Mentee develop their own goals and skills through a series of conversations, supported by resources from ALIA.

Check out the Mentoring Scheme webpage if you’re interested in being either a mentee or a mentor, or register for the webinar for potential mentors (June 4th) if you’d like to know more. Any questions about the scheme can be directed to ALIA via [email protected]

📅Save the date

ALIA SA are planning these events for the remainder of the year:

• Saturday 1st Aug – Southern Library Bus Tour, chartered bus departing from Adelaide and visiting Yankalilla, Aldinga, and Marion libraries for three tours in one day

• Friday 11th September – Social Board Games Night, a casual games night at The Lost Dice

• Friday 13th November – End of Year Celebration and Awards Night at the State Library of South Australia

Pop these dates in your diary if you’re interested in coming along! More information and registration details will be forthcoming in ALIA News.

📚⚽🦘 Today’s the day!

National Simultaneous Storytime 2026 is finally here.

At 12:00pm AEST, millions of children, families, schools, libraries and early learning communities across Australia will come together to share this year’s story, Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd and illustrated by Jake Minton.

Thank you to everyone taking part in this incredible shared reading moment. Whether you’re joining from a classroom, library, lounge room or community space — we can’t wait to celebrate with you.

Don’t forget: the official NSS recording link, PDF and resources have been sent to all registered participants. Please check your inbox (and junk folder just in case!) before the event begins.