Australasian Libraries in the Emergency Sector (ALIES) is a cooperative information network supporting the information requirements of the emergency sector by sharing knowledge and resources to increase the information capacity of emergency management agencies. The ALIES network was formed in 1991 with a handful of libraries, and in 2008 now includes over 40 member organisations from Australia and New Zealand. In addition to growth of the network, ALIES has developed a number of tools to facilitate the sharing of resources across the network, and affordable access to electronic resources. ALIES members have played an important role in contributing to national projects in the emergency sector.

So what is it that makes this partnership work so well? ALIES works as a community of practice, providing an opportunity to exchange ideas, knowledge, experience, skills and resources, as well as a mechanism for contributing to wider policy issues affecting emergency management practices. This paper will examine the value of partnerships and relationship management from the individual, organisational, national and international perspectives. This includes the commitment from individuals and organisations, the support and expectations of the sector, and the strength of a collaborative approach. It will also identify how ALIES has improved the information capacity of the Australasian emergency sector, the achievements of the network so far, and the planning that is taking place to move ALIES and its member libraries forward in the emergency sector information environment. And importantly, how lessons learned by ALIES can benefit the library and information sector more broadly.