Poster session
Presentation Title:
Strategic Library Partnerships for Progress: Advancing Teaching and Learning through Collaborative Engagement
Presenter:
Nada Stanojlovic, Belinda Sua, Andrea Zarate
Date:
Thursday 14 May 2026 | 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Presentation Description:
What does genuine user engagement look like in practice, and how can it shape outcomes for our communities? This presentation explores how libraries can shift from being service providers to strategic partners, showcasing a model of engagement that embeds UNSW Library staff within the strategies, day-to-day conversations and decision-making processes that shape the wider UNSW community. Drawing on examples from an academic context relevant for all libraries, this presentation demonstrates how we communicate core library principles of ethical information use, smart searching, and promoting equitable access to reinforce the Library’s role as educators and advocates for responsible information use.
As information creation and access are reshaped by AI, new forms of content ownership models and evolving copyright applications, libraries are uniquely positioned to make fair and ethical use of information approachable and relevant for communities. UNSW Library’s course resources project illustrates how ethical use can be applied to the accessibility of core resources. Designed to balance community needs with sustainable resource provision and copyright compliance, course resources initiatives ensure equity of access by prioritising resources with unlimited online access models. UNSW Library’s Academic Engagement team focuses on promoting those barrier-free resources by helping stakeholders articulate their needs and using library expertise to effectively align those needs with the most relevant and current library resources.
We will share insights on our developed framework to enhance digital literacy skills and communicate library value, as well as the methodology for collaborating with external stakeholders. This methodology allows librarians to understand their users’ unique needs and challenges, including how to sustain engagement through targeted one-on-one discussions. We will discuss strategies to maintain a consistent presence at key meetings, communicate updates on new resources and library services, and partner directly with users to co-create initiatives that are grounded in meaningful and impactful. By embedding library staff in communities of practice, committees and planning meetings, we strengthen the connection between library services and broader institutional goals, ensuring that libraries remain indispensable to organisational success.
Nada Stanojlovic
Associate Director, Academic Engagement (STEM) at UNSW Library
Presenter Bio
In the Information Services portfolio at UNSW Library, Nada manages outreach business partnering for STEM disciplines. Her role involves supporting academic and research success, promoting library services, and integrating them into the curriculum. Nada’s team works closely with faculty, researchers, and students to tailor library resources and develop and deliver workshops and training sessions to enhance information literacy and research skills. Nada brings a wealth of management experience to her Library role at UNSW, where she has worked for almost three years. She has experience in delivering presentations at major international and national library conferences including IFLA, VALA, ALIA National, ALIA NLS, LIANZA, ALA and SWITCH. Her extensive professional career includes senior positions in Library Supply and Publishing serving the territories of Australia, NZ, UK, and the US. Nada is deeply passionate about Library Services and the unique expertise that librarians offer. With an MBA from MGSM, Nada is committed to identifying organisational opportunities and empowering individuals and enjoys forging new connections and continuing her personal and professional growth.
Belinda Sua
Associate Director, Academic Engagement (HCASS) at UNSW Library
Presenter Bio
Within the Information Services portfolio at UNSW Library, Belinda provides strategic leadership to the Academic Engagement teams supporting the HCASS disciplines, Business, Law, and Arts, Design & Architecture. Her work centres on strengthening faculty partnerships, integrating library expertise into curriculum design, advancing digital and information literacy, and enhancing outreach to enrich teaching and student success. With more than 20 years of leadership and client service experience across higher education and professional sectors, Belinda brings a collaborative and forward-thinking approach to driving innovation and fostering high-performing teams. She has presented at major national and international conferences, including the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the Professional Development and Interest Group (PDIG). A passionate advocate for mentorship and staff empowerment, Belinda champions the transformative role of libraries as strategic partners in advancing teaching excellence, student achievement and institutional success.
Andrea Zarate
Team Leader, Academic Engagement (Science & Engineering) at UNSW Library
Presenter Bio
In the Information Services portfolio at UNSW Library, Andrea leads a team of subject-specialist librarians who deliver reference services, instructional workshops, and outreach business partnering across UNSW’s Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering. Her team partners closely with teaching staff and faculty to enhance curriculum design, integrate key Library resources into classes, and strengthen the Library’s contribution to teaching, learning and research outcomes through tailored self-directed resources and workshops for digital literacy. With a PhD in English Literature and experience in delivering papers at international and national academic conferences, Andrea brings a unique blend of academic and operational insight into her library management practice. She is passionate about communicating the value of libraries in ways that resonate with difference audiences, translating library expertise, strategy and impact into language and evidence that connect with institutional priorities. Her current work focuses on positioning UNSW Library as a future-focused partner in teaching, including strengthening the Library’s visibility in the AI space and developing innovative approaches to learning engagement and curriculum collaboration.