Front cover of annual report - title reads 'Commons Annual Report - 2023 - 2024'. There is a cartoon illustration of two people holding up a sign with a heart and a book. Between them is a globe with a face holding up a computer. Across the bottom front is a banner with text 'commonslibrary.org'

Commons Annual Report 2023-2024

Introduction

Find out about recent achievements and future priorities of the Commons Library in our 2023-2024 Annual Report.

Message from the Director

A human-powered library

I recently saw a promotional email for an online resource directory which put a lot of emphasis on being ‘AI powered’. They offered the option of conversing with a chat bot to access the key insights in their resources.

This prompted me to reflect on the Commons as a ‘human powered’ library. Every resource we add to the Commons is the result of a chain of human interactions and decisions. We track needs and trends to determine what to prioritise.

Our own experiences in social change inform us, our communities spark ideas, and we reach out to people with complementary skills to fill gaps.

Of course, we’re not anti-technology! It would be impossible to run an online library without a healthy appreciation for labor saving and user friendly plug-ins and widgets. But as awareness grows of AI’s reliance on burning fossil fuels and stealing intellectual property, I’m more and more pleased that we aren’t relying on it to support social change.

Whenever you visit the Commons Library you’re just a click away from the humans behind the scenes. If you have a question just message us through the contact form and one of your friendly librarians will be in touch. It won’t be as instantaneous as a chat bot, but it will be real.

5 years of making activism smarter and stronger

After earlier iterations we launched the Commons Social Change Library in its current form in April 2019. So in April 2024 we celebrated 5 years!

A lot has changed in the world in those five years and the Commons has grown and adapted alongside people’s movements.

We seem to be finding the balance between providing stable and reliable infrastructure (like the brick and mortar libraries that are a crucial part of so many communities) and quick thinking innovation (like a campaigner shifting tactics against a wealthy and powerful opponent).

It is also clear that what we have built for the benefit of the Australian public is making a difference to people all around the world.

Responding to movement moments

To provide a library that meets the learning needs of people engaged in social change we need to respond to the big shifts going on in the world.

The year 2023/24 saw profound growth in collective action in response to Israel’s genocide of Palestinian people. Other important themes have been First Nations sovereignty, climate justice, promoting democracy and resisting autocracy, and defending the right to protest.

I’m proud we have played our part in supporting people power through learning in these crucial times of change.

screenshot of page from the commons library annual report. Page title reads 'Plans for 2024/25'.  There are 3 columns with title, image and text. 1st column title reads 'Growing the library'. Text reads 'Commons Annual Report - 2023 - 2024'. 2nd column title reads 2. Countering Disinformation'. Text reads 'In this 24 hour social media dominated world ideas and stories spread fast! Right wing forces peddling falsehoods can cause significant harm: targeting communities, hijacking public debate and skewing political processes. It’s crucial that progressives prepare to counter disinformation and misinformation.With support from Humanists Victoria and the LUSH Charity Pot program, the Commons  is developing and curating educational materials for civil society and young people. ' Third column title reads 'Investigating user need's. Text reads 'In 2023/24 the Commons was fortunate to partner with the University of Queensland’s Global Change Scholar Program. A team of PhD students produced A Comparative Analysis of Social Change Resource Hubs which identified the Commons as world leading.In 2024/25 a new team of scholars will research barriers, needs, and preferences of Commons Library users and potential stakeholders. The findings will inform the Commons Library strategic plan.'

Access Annual Report

The Commons Social Change Library Annual Report 2023/24

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