Reading Library Journals on a tight budget

Reading the literature is a common way of keeping up-to-date with news within the Library and Information field. Subscribing to all the journals you would like to read is expensive and impractical. Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) journals range from $120 for the Australian Library Journal (ALJ) for 4 issues per year and $160 for INCITE for 11 issues per year. ALIA members are entitled to a discount and can also access some previous issues of library journals and e-books electronically through the ALIA website.

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ALIA subscription rates

If you want to become a member of ALIA, which entitles you to a range of benefits, it will cost you $310 a year unless you're entitled to a discounted rate. Fee rates.

A better alternative

So what's the solution? Libraries, of course! University libraries such as the University of Sydney and the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), and State Libraries such as the State Library of N.S.W. stock these types of journals. A search of their library catalogues will tell you whether they stock them in print or electronically. Students at university and members of the State Library of N.S.W. can view these journals electronically as well as in print form. If you're not a member of these institutions you can still visit the library in question and read or photocopy relevant articles. For electronic versions each article will be a separate document. Be aware that UTS has turnstiles and members of the public will need a visitor pass.

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The Journals

1. The Australian Library Journal (ALJ)

According to ALIA, ''The Australian Library Journal is an internationally recognised journal that showcases the best of Australian library and information research and practice. It has been reaching discerning and influential Australian libraries since 1951. Published quarterly, it contains a wide coverage of Australian library issues ranging from ongoing research to day-to-day articles from practitioners in the workplace.''

2. INCITE

A news magazine about ALIA news and activities. It also includes feature articles about current library issues.

3. Australian Academic & Research Libraries

ALIA says, ''Australian Academic & Research Libraries is a quarterly journal devoted to all aspects of librarianship in university and college libraries, including the Technical and Further Education sector, and in research libraries of all types. It publishes original, refereed contributions on all aspects of librarianship past and present, pure and applied bibliography, publishing, information science and related subjects. AARL also reviews publications in these areas.''