Uniting a profession by Jean P Whyte and David J Jones Launched on 27 September, this new publications from the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) traces the quite sensational history of the formation of the Australian national library association. Celebrating it’s 70th anniversary in 2007, ALIA was first truly nationally established at the Australian Institute of Librarians.
Jean Whyte, 1923-2003, was one of Australia’s most outstanding library educators and leaders. For many years she worked on a history of the association – collecting papers and writing many preliminary chapters. Dr Jones, her co-author, has contributed significantly in taking over such a major project and adding his analysis.
It is a riveting read. Anyone who thought librarians meek and mild will be amazed at the stories of robust debate, sectoral and state based competition and personal rivalries. It seems little short of a major dramatic event which reveals the characters and commitment of many true library leaders, such as John Metcalf.
The insights of both authors are remarkable – and both have also contributed to the debates in the association for many years.
The book covers the period 1937-1949, to the formation of the Library Association of Australia. It contains marvellous appendices including short biographies of the major characters (over 120), information about office bearers and statistics.
The passion, the disagreements and the sense of commitment from those involved leaps off the pages. A “Bodice ripper” indeed. I encourage everyone to read this volume, whether you are a library professional or not. And ALIA encourages anyone with an interest in preparing the next volume in this history to contact the Executive Director.
To order see http://www.alia.org.au
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Australian Law Librarians Association conference: The ALLA conference (http://www.alla.asn.au/conference/2007/program.htm) was held in Sydney this year and I was fortunate to attend and speak on the first day. Justice Ruth McColl opened the conference commenting on the complex issues in the move to the digital environment and outlining the history of publication of cases and the law. Baden Powell gave a very interesting presentation on technical architecture and new service delivery models. Glenda Browne’s presentation focused on the differences between legal and other indexing, which provided an opportunity to suggest improvements to legal indexes (such as filing St as "St" rather than "Saint"). Carmel O'Sullivan reported on the information literacy training she and colleagues had developed at Blakes. Her lessons learnt were – develop a lesson plan, less is best, action learning is important but not essential for all courses, reflective practice needs to be included and training should, on occasion break with convention. I reported on our client survey and the information life of our clients. All in all a very stimulating experience for the approximately 140 attendees.
Australian Law Librarian of the Year: At the conference the 2007 Australian Law Librarian of the year was announced. Congratulations to Karyn Gladwish, Director Library Services, Australian Attorney-General's Department on receiving the award – very well deserved!
"The Librarians" to be on ABC TV: Tune your sets to the ABC on 31 October at 9.30 pm for the new series "The Librarians". Keep your sense of humour while watching.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
News from IFLA and the Parliamentary libraries pre-conference meeting
It was very interesting and exciting to be at the IFLA Parliamentary Librarians pre-conference and hear of developments around the world. We all have so much in common—primarily a desire to ensure that all of our clients receive top quality services, that we use new technologies to achieve this and a commitment to efficient and effective research programs.
Mr S. L. Tsenoli, on day one of the conference, noted that the three most important issues for a parliamentary library were: to have a clear understanding of the needs of their clients, a flexible approach to service delivery and a determination to provide a first class service. These were reaffirming words for us in APH as the research that we have done into our clients needs really has provided the basis for our strategic planning to work towards flexible services, based on using new technology as well as existing technology and the right staffing mix.
Ian Watt from the EU reported on their major change program which, like ours, has been complex and led to considerable debate about service levels and staffing levels and skills. The concept of a skilled researcher requiring high level information skills is topical, as is breaking down boundaries between library and research staff and indeed breaking some of the boundaries between libraries and their clients.
Cape Town is cold and wet (average dam levels for the last year have been over 100%—we can but dream of this sort of environment). The South African Parliamentary Library has a terrific choir, cricket team and rugby team—all as a part of their wellness program—more food for thought!
Durban was been sunny and warm and the IFLA conference provided good food for the mind.
Australia was very visible at IFLA. Alex Byrne is the current President of IFLA and contributed to many sessions.
The Northern Territory Library won the prestigious annual Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award. The US$1 million award recognises the library’s work to provide free computer and Internet access and training to Indigenous communities and for its unique ‘Our Story’ database. The Northern Territory Library program is contributing to improvements in the lives of Indigenous Territorians living in remote communities. It assists people to retain 60,000 years of oral tradition, and plays a part in helping our Indigenous communities to survive and prosper through improved literacy skills and access to information.
IFLA Draft Guidelines for Libraries of Government Departments—the Government Libraries section have released the proposed guideline in draft form on their web site at http://www.ifla.org/VII/s4/index.htm#Publications. It is intended to both provide guidance for new libraries when they are established and to be a tool for established libraries. The Parliamentary Library section is providing significant input and has suggested that is should be more of a framework with examples and best practice in appendices. If you have suggestions please make them directly to the section chair at nancybolt@earthlink.net
The Parliamentary Library Section presentations at the conference can be found at http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/Programme2007.htm:
SOLEDAD FERREIRO and JOSÉ MIGUEL MUGA (Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional, Valparaiso, Chile)
Understanding Cybersocial Network trends, for innovation in Libraries
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/102-Ferreiro_Muga-en.pdf
INNOCENT RUGAMBWA (Parliament of Uganda, Kampala, Uganda)
Effective partnerships in parliamentary libraries and research services: a strategic intervention for survival in the 21st century
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/102-Rugambwa-en.pdf
HUGH FINSTEN and WILLIAM R. YOUNG (Canadian Library of Parliament, Ottawa, Canada)
Partnering at the Canadian Library of Parliament
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/102-Finsten_Young-en.pdf
All provide some very interesting examples of library developments.
Many Australians gave presentations (and ex-Australians) including:
Rapid and easy access: finding and getting resources in Australian libraries and cultural institutionsPAM GATENBY (National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/113-Gatenby-en.pdf
The Reflective Online Searching Skills (ROSS) Environment: embedding information literacy into student learning through an online environment.
HELEN PARTRIDGE (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia)
Paper not available online
Public Libraries and their Communities: South Australia readsTERESA BROOK (Public Library Services, The State Library of South Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/128-Brook-en.pdf
Reaching new audiences: the People Australia and Picture Australia projects at the National Library of Australia
PAMELA GATENBY (National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/147-Gatenby-en.pdf
Library 3.0: where art our skills?GRACE SAW and HEATHER TODD (University of Queensland Library, Brisbane, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/151-Saw_Todd-en.pdf
Taxonomy Directed Folksonomy: integrating user tagging and controlled vocabularies for Australian education networksSARAH HAYMAN (education.au, Adelaide, Australia) and NICK LOTHIAN (education.au, Adelaide, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/157-Hayman_Lothian-en.pdf
Special Measures for Special Libraries: Analysing Systems, Needs and WorkflowsSUE HENCZEL
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/152-Henczel-en.pdf
Finally the 2010 IFLA conference will be held in Brisbane. A major undertaking, work is already underway forming a committee and planning events. It should be a great opportunity for many Australian library staff and those in the region to experience international speakers and develop networks that cross the globe.
Regards
Roxanne Missingham
Mr S. L. Tsenoli, on day one of the conference, noted that the three most important issues for a parliamentary library were: to have a clear understanding of the needs of their clients, a flexible approach to service delivery and a determination to provide a first class service. These were reaffirming words for us in APH as the research that we have done into our clients needs really has provided the basis for our strategic planning to work towards flexible services, based on using new technology as well as existing technology and the right staffing mix.
Ian Watt from the EU reported on their major change program which, like ours, has been complex and led to considerable debate about service levels and staffing levels and skills. The concept of a skilled researcher requiring high level information skills is topical, as is breaking down boundaries between library and research staff and indeed breaking some of the boundaries between libraries and their clients.
Cape Town is cold and wet (average dam levels for the last year have been over 100%—we can but dream of this sort of environment). The South African Parliamentary Library has a terrific choir, cricket team and rugby team—all as a part of their wellness program—more food for thought!
Durban was been sunny and warm and the IFLA conference provided good food for the mind.
Australia was very visible at IFLA. Alex Byrne is the current President of IFLA and contributed to many sessions.
The Northern Territory Library won the prestigious annual Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award. The US$1 million award recognises the library’s work to provide free computer and Internet access and training to Indigenous communities and for its unique ‘Our Story’ database. The Northern Territory Library program is contributing to improvements in the lives of Indigenous Territorians living in remote communities. It assists people to retain 60,000 years of oral tradition, and plays a part in helping our Indigenous communities to survive and prosper through improved literacy skills and access to information.
IFLA Draft Guidelines for Libraries of Government Departments—the Government Libraries section have released the proposed guideline in draft form on their web site at http://www.ifla.org/VII/s4/index.htm#Publications. It is intended to both provide guidance for new libraries when they are established and to be a tool for established libraries. The Parliamentary Library section is providing significant input and has suggested that is should be more of a framework with examples and best practice in appendices. If you have suggestions please make them directly to the section chair at nancybolt@earthlink.net
The Parliamentary Library Section presentations at the conference can be found at http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/Programme2007.htm:
SOLEDAD FERREIRO and JOSÉ MIGUEL MUGA (Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional, Valparaiso, Chile)
Understanding Cybersocial Network trends, for innovation in Libraries
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/102-Ferreiro_Muga-en.pdf
INNOCENT RUGAMBWA (Parliament of Uganda, Kampala, Uganda)
Effective partnerships in parliamentary libraries and research services: a strategic intervention for survival in the 21st century
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/102-Rugambwa-en.pdf
HUGH FINSTEN and WILLIAM R. YOUNG (Canadian Library of Parliament, Ottawa, Canada)
Partnering at the Canadian Library of Parliament
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/102-Finsten_Young-en.pdf
All provide some very interesting examples of library developments.
Many Australians gave presentations (and ex-Australians) including:
Rapid and easy access: finding and getting resources in Australian libraries and cultural institutionsPAM GATENBY (National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/113-Gatenby-en.pdf
The Reflective Online Searching Skills (ROSS) Environment: embedding information literacy into student learning through an online environment.
HELEN PARTRIDGE (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia)
Paper not available online
Public Libraries and their Communities: South Australia readsTERESA BROOK (Public Library Services, The State Library of South Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/128-Brook-en.pdf
Reaching new audiences: the People Australia and Picture Australia projects at the National Library of Australia
PAMELA GATENBY (National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/147-Gatenby-en.pdf
Library 3.0: where art our skills?GRACE SAW and HEATHER TODD (University of Queensland Library, Brisbane, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/151-Saw_Todd-en.pdf
Taxonomy Directed Folksonomy: integrating user tagging and controlled vocabularies for Australian education networksSARAH HAYMAN (education.au, Adelaide, Australia) and NICK LOTHIAN (education.au, Adelaide, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/157-Hayman_Lothian-en.pdf
Special Measures for Special Libraries: Analysing Systems, Needs and WorkflowsSUE HENCZEL
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/152-Henczel-en.pdf
Finally the 2010 IFLA conference will be held in Brisbane. A major undertaking, work is already underway forming a committee and planning events. It should be a great opportunity for many Australian library staff and those in the region to experience international speakers and develop networks that cross the globe.
Regards
Roxanne Missingham
News from IFLA and the Parliamentary libraries pre-conference meeting
It was very interesting and exciting to be at the IFLA Parliamentary Librarians pre-conference and hear of developments around the world. We all have so much in common—primarily a desire to ensure that all of our clients receive top quality services, that we use new technologies to achieve this and a commitment to efficient and effective research programs.
Mr S. L. Tsenoli, on day one of the conference, noted that the three most important issues for a parliamentary library were: to have a clear understanding of the needs of their clients, a flexible approach to service delivery and a determination to provide a first class service. These were reaffirming words for us in APH as the research that we have done into our clients needs really has provided the basis for our strategic planning to work towards flexible services, based on using new technology as well as existing technology and the right staffing mix.
Ian Watt from the EU reported on their major change program which, like ours, has been complex and led to considerable debate about service levels and staffing levels and skills. The concept of a skilled researcher requiring high level information skills is topical, as is breaking down boundaries between library and research staff and indeed breaking some of the boundaries between libraries and their clients.
Cape Town is cold and wet (average dam levels for the last year have been over 100%—we can but dream of this sort of environment). The South African Parliamentary Library has a terrific choir, cricket team and rugby team—all as a part of their wellness program—more food for thought!
Durban was been sunny and warm and the IFLA conference provided good food for the mind.
Australia was very visible at IFLA. Alex Byrne is the current President of IFLA and contributed to many sessions.
The Northern Territory Library won the prestigious annual Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award. The US$1 million award recognises the library’s work to provide free computer and Internet access and training to Indigenous communities and for its unique ‘Our Story’ database. The Northern Territory Library program is contributing to improvements in the lives of Indigenous Territorians living in remote communities. It assists people to retain 60,000 years of oral tradition, and plays a part in helping our Indigenous communities to survive and prosper through improved literacy skills and access to information.
IFLA Draft Guidelines for Libraries of Government Departments—the Government Libraries section have released the proposed guideline in draft form on their web site at http://www.ifla.org/VII/s4/index.htm#Publications. It is intended to both provide guidance for new libraries when they are established and to be a tool for established libraries. The Parliamentary Library section is providing significant input and has suggested that is should be more of a framework with examples and best practice in appendices. If you have suggestions please make them directly to the section chair at nancybolt@earthlink.net
The Parliamentary Library Section presentations at the conference can be found at http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/Programme2007.htm:
SOLEDAD FERREIRO and JOSÉ MIGUEL MUGA (Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional, Valparaiso, Chile)
Understanding Cybersocial Network trends, for innovation in Libraries
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/102-Ferreiro_Muga-en.pdf
INNOCENT RUGAMBWA (Parliament of Uganda, Kampala, Uganda)
Effective partnerships in parliamentary libraries and research services: a strategic intervention for survival in the 21st century
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/102-Rugambwa-en.pdf
HUGH FINSTEN and WILLIAM R. YOUNG (Canadian Library of Parliament, Ottawa, Canada)
Partnering at the Canadian Library of Parliament
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/102-Finsten_Young-en.pdf
All provide some very interesting examples of library developments.
Many Australians gave presentations (and ex-Australians) including:
Rapid and easy access: finding and getting resources in Australian libraries and cultural institutionsPAM GATENBY (National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/113-Gatenby-en.pdf
The Reflective Online Searching Skills (ROSS) Environment: embedding information literacy into student learning through an online environment.
HELEN PARTRIDGE (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia)
Paper not available online
Public Libraries and their Communities: South Australia readsTERESA BROOK (Public Library Services, The State Library of South Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/128-Brook-en.pdf
Reaching new audiences: the People Australia and Picture Australia projects at the National Library of Australia
PAMELA GATENBY (National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/147-Gatenby-en.pdf
Library 3.0: where art our skills?GRACE SAW and HEATHER TODD (University of Queensland Library, Brisbane, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/151-Saw_Todd-en.pdf
Taxonomy Directed Folksonomy: integrating user tagging and controlled vocabularies for Australian education networksSARAH HAYMAN (education.au, Adelaide, Australia) and NICK LOTHIAN (education.au, Adelaide, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/157-Hayman_Lothian-en.pdf
Special Measures for Special Libraries: Analysing Systems, Needs and WorkflowsSUE HENCZEL
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/152-Henczel-en.pdf
Finally the 2010 IFLA conference will be held in Brisbane. A major undertaking, work is already underway forming a committee and planning events. It should be a great opportunity for many Australian library staff and those in the region to experience international speakers and develop networks that cross the globe.
Regards
Roxanne Missingham
Mr S. L. Tsenoli, on day one of the conference, noted that the three most important issues for a parliamentary library were: to have a clear understanding of the needs of their clients, a flexible approach to service delivery and a determination to provide a first class service. These were reaffirming words for us in APH as the research that we have done into our clients needs really has provided the basis for our strategic planning to work towards flexible services, based on using new technology as well as existing technology and the right staffing mix.
Ian Watt from the EU reported on their major change program which, like ours, has been complex and led to considerable debate about service levels and staffing levels and skills. The concept of a skilled researcher requiring high level information skills is topical, as is breaking down boundaries between library and research staff and indeed breaking some of the boundaries between libraries and their clients.
Cape Town is cold and wet (average dam levels for the last year have been over 100%—we can but dream of this sort of environment). The South African Parliamentary Library has a terrific choir, cricket team and rugby team—all as a part of their wellness program—more food for thought!
Durban was been sunny and warm and the IFLA conference provided good food for the mind.
Australia was very visible at IFLA. Alex Byrne is the current President of IFLA and contributed to many sessions.
The Northern Territory Library won the prestigious annual Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award. The US$1 million award recognises the library’s work to provide free computer and Internet access and training to Indigenous communities and for its unique ‘Our Story’ database. The Northern Territory Library program is contributing to improvements in the lives of Indigenous Territorians living in remote communities. It assists people to retain 60,000 years of oral tradition, and plays a part in helping our Indigenous communities to survive and prosper through improved literacy skills and access to information.
IFLA Draft Guidelines for Libraries of Government Departments—the Government Libraries section have released the proposed guideline in draft form on their web site at http://www.ifla.org/VII/s4/index.htm#Publications. It is intended to both provide guidance for new libraries when they are established and to be a tool for established libraries. The Parliamentary Library section is providing significant input and has suggested that is should be more of a framework with examples and best practice in appendices. If you have suggestions please make them directly to the section chair at nancybolt@earthlink.net
The Parliamentary Library Section presentations at the conference can be found at http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/Programme2007.htm:
SOLEDAD FERREIRO and JOSÉ MIGUEL MUGA (Biblioteca del Congreso Nacional, Valparaiso, Chile)
Understanding Cybersocial Network trends, for innovation in Libraries
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/102-Ferreiro_Muga-en.pdf
INNOCENT RUGAMBWA (Parliament of Uganda, Kampala, Uganda)
Effective partnerships in parliamentary libraries and research services: a strategic intervention for survival in the 21st century
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/102-Rugambwa-en.pdf
HUGH FINSTEN and WILLIAM R. YOUNG (Canadian Library of Parliament, Ottawa, Canada)
Partnering at the Canadian Library of Parliament
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/102-Finsten_Young-en.pdf
All provide some very interesting examples of library developments.
Many Australians gave presentations (and ex-Australians) including:
Rapid and easy access: finding and getting resources in Australian libraries and cultural institutionsPAM GATENBY (National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/113-Gatenby-en.pdf
The Reflective Online Searching Skills (ROSS) Environment: embedding information literacy into student learning through an online environment.
HELEN PARTRIDGE (Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia)
Paper not available online
Public Libraries and their Communities: South Australia readsTERESA BROOK (Public Library Services, The State Library of South Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/128-Brook-en.pdf
Reaching new audiences: the People Australia and Picture Australia projects at the National Library of Australia
PAMELA GATENBY (National Library of Australia, Canberra, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/147-Gatenby-en.pdf
Library 3.0: where art our skills?GRACE SAW and HEATHER TODD (University of Queensland Library, Brisbane, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/151-Saw_Todd-en.pdf
Taxonomy Directed Folksonomy: integrating user tagging and controlled vocabularies for Australian education networksSARAH HAYMAN (education.au, Adelaide, Australia) and NICK LOTHIAN (education.au, Adelaide, Australia)
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/157-Hayman_Lothian-en.pdf
Special Measures for Special Libraries: Analysing Systems, Needs and WorkflowsSUE HENCZEL
http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla73/papers/152-Henczel-en.pdf
Finally the 2010 IFLA conference will be held in Brisbane. A major undertaking, work is already underway forming a committee and planning events. It should be a great opportunity for many Australian library staff and those in the region to experience international speakers and develop networks that cross the globe.
Regards
Roxanne Missingham
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Public Libraries Australia 2007 conference
Public libraries are tremendously important in Australia - they are the heart of many communities supporting literacy, education, community development, business and culture. The Public Libraries Australia 2007 conference provided a great opportunity to share information, build stronger networks and be inspired.
Rivkah Sass - Director, Omaha Public Library, USA, inspired us to always think of the customer and work at changing our priorities to match theirs. She talked about building partnerships with community organisations, understanding our communities and their diversity and changing our processes and services.
Workforce planning to ensure that we are able to recruit to fill future positions was addresses by a number of presentations. The Intergenerational report, released by the Australian Treasury on 2 April (http://www.treasury.gov.au/igr/IGR2007.asp) identifies a reducing workforce with an aging population, falling fertility rates and rising life expectancy. Presentations by Julie Sloan, Director, Julie Sloan Management Pty Ltd, Moira Deslandes, CEO, Volunteering SA and Robert Knight related to this issue.
Shane Cathcart was inspiring with his description of West Torrens Hilton Library’s move from Siege to Sojourn. The development of a new youth strategy at the West Torrens Library Service from 2004 – 2006 focused on understanding their community, developing a basis for discussion of issues with them (including a code of conduct), new ways of engagement and a community support now built on understanding and partnerships.
Christine Mackenzie, CEO, Yarra Plenty Library, also gave an outstanding presentation on Yarra Plenty’s rebirth in the digital age, bringing staff forward with new flexible approaches, building flexibility, using new technologies to enable staff to deliver value added services and using new mechanisms to increase knowledge (such as the unconference).
Papers should be on the web site soon at http://www.pla.org.au/Conf2007/Conf07.htm
Well done Bernie, Geoff, Bill, Janice and Robert.
Regards
Roxanne Missingham
Rivkah Sass - Director, Omaha Public Library, USA, inspired us to always think of the customer and work at changing our priorities to match theirs. She talked about building partnerships with community organisations, understanding our communities and their diversity and changing our processes and services.
Workforce planning to ensure that we are able to recruit to fill future positions was addresses by a number of presentations. The Intergenerational report, released by the Australian Treasury on 2 April (http://www.treasury.gov.au/igr/IGR2007.asp) identifies a reducing workforce with an aging population, falling fertility rates and rising life expectancy. Presentations by Julie Sloan, Director, Julie Sloan Management Pty Ltd, Moira Deslandes, CEO, Volunteering SA and Robert Knight related to this issue.
Shane Cathcart was inspiring with his description of West Torrens Hilton Library’s move from Siege to Sojourn. The development of a new youth strategy at the West Torrens Library Service from 2004 – 2006 focused on understanding their community, developing a basis for discussion of issues with them (including a code of conduct), new ways of engagement and a community support now built on understanding and partnerships.
Christine Mackenzie, CEO, Yarra Plenty Library, also gave an outstanding presentation on Yarra Plenty’s rebirth in the digital age, bringing staff forward with new flexible approaches, building flexibility, using new technologies to enable staff to deliver value added services and using new mechanisms to increase knowledge (such as the unconference).
Papers should be on the web site soon at http://www.pla.org.au/Conf2007/Conf07.htm
Well done Bernie, Geoff, Bill, Janice and Robert.
Regards
Roxanne Missingham
August 2007 ALIA Board meeting in Adelaide
Adelaide is a beautiful city. The Board members of the Australian Library and Information Association was fortunate to meet on 4 August in such a lovely place. The activities started with a bang with Mary Ellis winning the South Australian Library Achiever of the Year award (for details of the award see http://www.alia.org.au/awards/merit/sa.laoty/).
Mary is an outstanding library and community worker, whose work redeveloping the community information for Onkaparinga, the largest council in South Australia has led to significant improvements for the community (http://www.alia.org.au/awards/merit/sa.laoty/mary.html). Mary, and her colleagues, have used new technology to enable those in the community to access 1300 community information resources, through the database, training across the Library and broader Council staffs and promotion in the community. Congratulations to Mary and her colleagues, all who were nominated, the South Australian ALIA Group for the event and Raeco for their support and sponsorship.
At the ALIA Board meeting on the following day we discussed many issues and a full report will appear shortly. In the meantime, I thought it would be useful to highlight three major areas of discussion. Our first major item was the review of ALIA's advisory committees and representatives. ALIA is a strong organisation because of the work done by many individuals through advisory committees and representational roles and these have not been reviewed since the new ALIA structure was put in place in 2000. While many groups are working well addressing issues of important to members, some have completed their activities and wished to cease. The review has resulted in some recommendations for changes to the By-laws, and some areas where it was clear that ALIA has not articulated what is wants and serious consideration of the area s required – particularly in international relations and public libraries. The Board also met with the Public Libraries Australia Board to discuss how the current cooperative relationships should develop.
The Board also discussed the National Advisory Congress for 2007, which will focus on the issues of Education and Workforce planning. Interestingly, these were key topics at the Public Libraries Australia Conference over the following two days. Australia as a whole is facing the prospect or a serious reduction in new entrants to the workforce. Many librarians will be retiring over the next decade and we do not yet have an understanding of the numbers or skills required by the profession (including library technicians) for the next 2, 5 or 10 years. Research is essential to develop this, and then to develop a strategy to ensure there is a pool of appropriately skilled people ready to take up the positions as they fall vacant. For Education a background paper will cover:
Skills and capabilities that are needed by employers;
Scope of the library and information science sector;
Recruitment issues
Qualification issues; and
What role ALIA should play.
It should be a very importance and dynamic series of discussions through the Congress meetings in 2007 and I encourage you to attend – see http://www.alia.org.au/governance/nac/2007/ for further information.
Finally congratulations to Jane Gordon and Trevor Wakely who were appointed to the By-laws Committee.
regards
Roxanne
Mary is an outstanding library and community worker, whose work redeveloping the community information for Onkaparinga, the largest council in South Australia has led to significant improvements for the community (http://www.alia.org.au/awards/merit/sa.laoty/mary.html). Mary, and her colleagues, have used new technology to enable those in the community to access 1300 community information resources, through the database, training across the Library and broader Council staffs and promotion in the community. Congratulations to Mary and her colleagues, all who were nominated, the South Australian ALIA Group for the event and Raeco for their support and sponsorship.
At the ALIA Board meeting on the following day we discussed many issues and a full report will appear shortly. In the meantime, I thought it would be useful to highlight three major areas of discussion. Our first major item was the review of ALIA's advisory committees and representatives. ALIA is a strong organisation because of the work done by many individuals through advisory committees and representational roles and these have not been reviewed since the new ALIA structure was put in place in 2000. While many groups are working well addressing issues of important to members, some have completed their activities and wished to cease. The review has resulted in some recommendations for changes to the By-laws, and some areas where it was clear that ALIA has not articulated what is wants and serious consideration of the area s required – particularly in international relations and public libraries. The Board also met with the Public Libraries Australia Board to discuss how the current cooperative relationships should develop.
The Board also discussed the National Advisory Congress for 2007, which will focus on the issues of Education and Workforce planning. Interestingly, these were key topics at the Public Libraries Australia Conference over the following two days. Australia as a whole is facing the prospect or a serious reduction in new entrants to the workforce. Many librarians will be retiring over the next decade and we do not yet have an understanding of the numbers or skills required by the profession (including library technicians) for the next 2, 5 or 10 years. Research is essential to develop this, and then to develop a strategy to ensure there is a pool of appropriately skilled people ready to take up the positions as they fall vacant. For Education a background paper will cover:
Skills and capabilities that are needed by employers;
Scope of the library and information science sector;
Recruitment issues
Qualification issues; and
What role ALIA should play.
It should be a very importance and dynamic series of discussions through the Congress meetings in 2007 and I encourage you to attend – see http://www.alia.org.au/governance/nac/2007/ for further information.
Finally congratulations to Jane Gordon and Trevor Wakely who were appointed to the By-laws Committee.
regards
Roxanne
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