Alex Byrne

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Conferred: 1999

Alex Byrne's career in the library and information profession began in 1979 when he took up a position in the library at James Cook University of North Queensland. In 1984 he was appointed deputy librarian at the Australian Defence Force Academy, a college of the University of New South Wales, in Canberra. Alex moved to the Northern Territory University in 1989 where he held the position of chief librarian until 1996. In 1996 he became director of information services and is now pro-vice chancellor (information services) within the University.

During his career Alex Byrne has made a distinguished contribution to the library and information profession. A champion of the information needs of indigenous people, he served on the Association's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy Steering Committee in 1996 and 1997 and was instrumental in drafting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols for libraries, archives and information services. The protocols are recognised as a model for the statement of guidelines for services to indigenous people.

His interest in developing Indonesian collections and relations with Indonesian libraries, especially in the eastern regions of Indonesia, has been important. Alex was a foundation member of the Northern Territory University's Board of Management of the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies from 1990 to 1997. It was through his initiative that the Intan Mas database which indexes material relating to the region and is available to researchers world-wide was established. Alex's participation in consultancies, including advice on library service to partners in the Northern Territory University's Memorandum of Co-operation and the Academy of Nursing, Kupang, Indonesia has also assisted the development of library services in the region.

As pro vice-chancellor (information services) Alex plays a major role in the wider affairs of the Northern Territory University. He is a member of the Vice-Chancellor's Management Group, the Planning Board, the Academic Board as well as working parties and university internal committees.

He has also made a substantial contribution to other national professional activities including the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee AARNet Board of Management of which he was a member from 1992 to 1995, and the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee on Information Resources. He is originator of and leads the steering committee for the JANUS project which in December 1998 received Commonwealth funding to develop a business model for a collaborative approach to research collections and information and to test a pilot phase of the project.

From 1995 to 1997 Alex served as a member of the Commonwealth Public Lending Right Committee. He was appointed by the then Minister for Communication and the Arts who recognised the need to have a committee member with an education library background. At that time active consideration was being given to introduction of a possible Education Lending Right and Alex provided valuable input to the development of the principles for such a scheme which is as yet to be implemented by government.

An active member of the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL) since 1989, Alex held a position on the CAUL executive from 1990 to 1993, served as deputy president in 1993 and president from 1996 to 1998. Since 1993 he has been co-ordinator of the CAUL Key Performance Indicators Project and from 1994 has been the CAUL nominee to the Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee Improved Information Infrastructure Program.

At a personal level and as a representative of the Northern Territory University, Alex has been active in a range of Northern Territory cultural, government and public activities which have benefited the library and information profession. He was appointed by the Northern Territory Cabinet to the Steering Committee to oversee the project to replace the Northern Territory Library's computer system in 1996 and as a member of the Northern Territory Review Panel for Networking the Nation. As associate editor [1992-1997], and previously as a member of the editorial board [1991-1992], Alex was actively involved in the Northern Territory liberal arts journal, Northern Perspective.

At the international level, Alex has also made an outstanding contribution to the work of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). In 1993 he was elected as a member of the Standing Committee on University and General Research Libraries and its chair for the period 1997-1999. However his most important role has been in the complex and sensitive negotiations leading to the establishment of the committee on Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) at the 1997 IFLA conference. His subsequent appointment to chair of this committee recognises his international reputation.

As a library and information professional, Alex has been active in the Australian Library and Information Association. While at James Cook University Library he was involved in the North Queensland Regional Group of the then Library Association of Australia serving as secretary [1980], president [1981] and newsletter editor [1983-1984]. Later, in Canberra he was a member of ACT Branch Council and was elected to serve as branch president in 1989. Between 1986 and 1990 he served on the Reference and Information Services Section (formerly Reference Librarians Group) Committee and was involved in organising the 1987 and 1989 conferences. Following his move to Darwin he served the Northern Territory Branch as treasurer and vice-president before becoming branch president in 1991. He was also a member of the Branch Committee on Library Training in the Northern Territory during 1991 and 1992. Alex has further demonstrated his commitment to the Association by accepting General Council appointments to various national committees including the International Relations Committee on which he is currently serving.

Throughout his career, Alex has made a significant contribution to the library and information profession. He has demonstrated his commitment to the profession by his willingness to work at the national and international level and this, in turn, has enhanced the reputation of the profession. Alex Byrne is a worthy recipient of the distinction of Fellow of the Australian Library and Information Association.