Go South, North and East young man!
Like Jan I too have been busy representing the ALIA Board over the past couple of weeks.I was fortunate enough to attended the last two days (17-18 September) of the very successful National Library and Information Technicians Conference in Adelaide. The conference certainly had a buzz about it, and that buzz even prevailed on the closing day, after the every energetic conference dinner. I’d have to say, and I think many agreed that band, “The Smarty Boys” were fantastic. The lead singer actually works in the University of South Australia Library, which just goes to show what a versatile bunch we library workers are.
On a more serious note, the conference demonstrated the versatility and depth of talent we have in the Library Technician ranks. Congratulations to the award winners, and in particular to the organizers who hosted an engaging and stimulating conference. The next National Library and Information Technicians conference will be held in Perth in 2011.
While Jan was in Perth attending ASLA, I was up in Darwin attending the Top End Symposium. The symposium is an annual event that provides an opportunity to showcase initiatives and achievements by Top End library staff. The symposium theme was Exploring Library Spaces for Learning and Elearning. Topics explored include new libraries and technology, online tutorials, creating new spaces in aged buildings, the use of libraries by disaffected indigenous youth, and setting up an elearning environment within the NT health system.
The symposium attracted approximately 80 delegates, most of whom attended the final session on Saturday (yes Saturday) morning. Once again congratulations to the organizers for putting together the symposium at such short notice, and my thanks for the hospitality offered to me while I was there.
I can recommend Darwin as a place to visit, it has its own tropical style (and climate), the people are friendly, the sunsets are beautiful, and its a good place to buy wedding anniversary presents. I don’t recommend the red-eye flights in and out of Darwin though.
While I was in Darwin, and just before I left Rockhampton to attend the ‘Tech’s conference in Adelaide, I hosted NACs. The first one was for rural and remote members, and the Darwin one was obviously for NT members. Some of the key points to come out of the meetings were:
- the need to focus on special and other libraries, in addition to public libraries,
- for ALIA to make submissions to government bodies on matters of importance to members,
- to somehow bridge the proliferation of library and related information bodies, and
- the importance of providing independent industrial relations advice.
Next week I’m in New Zealand representing the Association at LIANZA and attending CONZUL, while Jan is in Townsville attending the Public Libraries Australia/Queensland Public Libraries Association conference. I think the weather will be somewhat warmer in Townsville than Christchurch.
Till next time,
Graham
Graham Black
Vice President