I.T. Systems Team and Ross Duncan, Sunshine Coast Libraries

The ALIA Excellence Award recognises excellence in any area, field or aspect of practice in the library and information services sector. The I.T. Systems Team and Ross Duncan, Sunshine Coast Libraries, has been recognised as achieving excellence and is the recipient of the ALIA Excellence Award.

The team oversaw a project which demonstrated a strong commitment to a vision of better integrated services and was delivered through strong team work. The project succeeded in integrating three distinct Library Management Systems, providing associated training, trouble shooting and support during a time of massive organisational change.

The project was planned, resourced and implemented during the period of the amalgamations of three Local Government Authorities, Caloundra, Noosa and Maroochy.

The team demonstrated that their program was aligned strongly to ALIA's objects:

1. To promote the free flow of information and ideas in the interest of all Australians and a thriving culture, economy and democracy; and
2. To promote and improve the services provided by all kinds of library and information agencies.

The successful, timely implementation of a single Library Management System on day one of amalgamation enhanced the profile of libraries within Council and in the community. The benefits of a single LMS include a single card, a single catalogue, better utilisation of our collections by members, improved ease of access through a single web interface, and the ability to progress a huge array of other initiatives, further enhancing the service itself, and also the reputation of the service.

The team worked tirelessly installing systems, migrating data, troubleshooting and training staff to ensure the system was implemented on time.

One of the key benefits of the entire project was the camaraderie that developed between staff across the region, knowing that they were part of a single team and had common goals and challenges.

The unifying effect that this successful project had on all staff assisted in even better delivery of library services to the community in a time of upheaval in the workplace.

The team showed genuine commitment and dedication during this time and the project was delivered ahead of schedule, under budget and in a manner that enabled advances in many other areas of the service. The team demonstrated expertise, resilience and innovation in achieving their goals, as well as a skill set that continues to enable Sunshine Coast Libraries to offer their community excellence in library.

Significant benefits from the project included:

• Improved access to materials in the collection
  From day one, members had seamless access to over 575,000 items from 12 library service points, free of charge. Previously they needed three separate cards, had to browse three separate catalogues, and were required to pay for reservations and for internet usage.
  
  
• Immediate close collaboration of library staff from three former Council areas
  Where many other areas of Council were still not making contact, library staff had the common, unifying goal of a single catalogue and a new card to inspire them. There was also an increased awareness of libraries within Council as professional, capable institutions.

• Library users were provided with enhanced self service, better support through efficiencies gained by the project and consistent service levels
  The project will lead to new developments including a new procurement model and better planning based on statistics gathered from the system.

Ross Duncan's contribution was acclaimed by his colleagues for bringing staff together as a successful team and for producing positive outcomes for both clients and libraries.

Congratulations to the I.T. Systems Team and Ross Duncan, Sunshine Coast Libraries, on being worthy recipients of the ALIA Excellence Award.

Award presented 25 May 2009