New Director-General for the National Library of Australia
Ms Alison Dellit
Minister for the Arts, The Honourable Tony Burke MP, has today announced the appointment of the new Director-General of the National Library of Australia.
Ms Alison Dellit will commence in the role on 9 April 2026, bringing extensive experience and expertise that will further strengthen the Library’s operations and strategic direction.
Since 2017, Ms Dellit has been the Assistant Director-General Collaboration, with responsibility for Trove among other programs. She is highly regarded across the Library sector for her work on collaboration and digital innovation.
The Chair of the National Library of Australia Council, Professor Larissa Behrendt AO, welcomed the five-year appointment.
Alison has led the Collaboration Branch since 2017, is the Library's Reconciliation Champion, and is highly regarded by a wide range of stakeholders, within and beyond the Library industry. She has had several long stints acting as Director-General, and has taken the lead on a number of whole of organisation priorities.
Ms Dellit joined the Library as a graduate in 2006 and played a key role in the early development of Trove as well as the National eDeposit program. She has since held a range of senior leadership positions across digital innovation, collections and national collaboration, helping to position the Library as a leader in these fields.
To be appointed as Director-General of Australia’s National Library is an honour. The NLA has had outstanding prior leadership, and I am excited to be working closely with our Chair, Council and Executive to bring inclusive, exciting and engaging programs to Australians.
Ms Dellit succeeds Dr Marie-Louise Ayres FAHA, who will conclude her tenure as Director-General on 8 April 2026 after nine years in the role. Dr Ayres congratulated Ms Dellit on her appointment.
Alison is known for her collegiality across the cultural sector, and brings a wealth of deep domain knowledge to her new role. The nation’s largest library will be in excellent hands.
The pair will work closely over the coming weeks as the role transition takes place.