Foundation Knowledge, Skills and Attributes for Information Professionals

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), Australian Society of Archivists (ASA), and Records and Information Management Practitioners Alliance Global (RIMPA Global) have collaborated to substantially strengthen and update the joint statement Foundation Knowledge, Skills and Attributes for Information Professionals working in Archives, Libraries and Records Management document.

This joint document is a statement that outlines the Foundation Knowledge, Skills and Attributes for Information Professionals working in Archives, Libraries and Records Management.

Its primary purpose is to ensure that graduate information professionals have the requisite skills, knowledge, professionalism and ethics to effectively navigate the rapid changes in our libraries, archives and records management workplaces. The joint statement is the core document that is used by universities to develop and deliver their library and information, archives and records management courses. Likewise, it provides the core criteria by which the university programs and courses are assessed and accredited by the three professional associations. In the workplace, this document is also a useful resource for developing job criteria and identifying areas for professional development.

The updating process has involved a comprehensive mapping of the previous version to recent research and developments across the information professional landscape. Areas that have been strengthened include respect and recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, cultures and Country, artificial intelligence (AI), generative artificial intelligence (GenAI/GAI) and machine learning, and highlighting the shared ethics and principles of our three associations.

As an overview, section A of the document covers three core areas that underpin the foundation knowledge, skills and ethics.

Section B centres on three major areas of professional knowledge and skills.

Section C focuses on active professionalism that connects all areas through a professional mindset and behavioural skills.

The updated joint statement can be found on the websites of all three professional associations.

READ THE JOINT STATEMENT