ALIA Board meeting 17 July 2006

Summary of key issues

The meeting on provided an opportunity to continue our focus on developing an agenda which would improve the governance of ALIA, delivery of services and its financial strength.

ALIA Planning - Groups: The Board discussed the major areas of work for 2006/07 and the Steering Committees. It agreed that the plan should clarify that a major focus was strengthening groups to enable them to provide activities for members.

ALIA Planning - Financial management: The Standing Committee is investigating alternatives to ensure better management of the associations financial resources.

ALIA Governance. The Standing Committee led discussion on constitutional changes which could improve the board, specifically:

1. the President, Vice President and five elected Directors would be elected for two years terms in a single election;
2. the President and Vice President be either elected separately or from an alternative model from within the existing seven elected Directors serving on the Board;
3. the Executive Director become a voting rather than non voting member of the Board;
4. the Board be given the ability to co-opt individuals, who may not be members, to fill an additional two Director positions and thus add additional skills, knowledge and experience from outside the library sector;
5. all Director positions be elected by all members; and
6. transition to the new model be based on either electing a Vice President and 2 Directors for one year for 2007 and then the President, Vice President and five elected Directors be elected in 2008 or the current Board membership be continued in 2007 and the President, Vice President and five elected Directors be elected in 2008

A paper will be prepared for consultation and discussion at regional National Advisory Congress meetings, through e-lists and Incite. Aim for discussion at the NAC in Perth and the sending of a notice of a special meeting to be held in late October/early November.

CASL: Dagmar Schmidmier, President and Sue Hutley, Executive Director, attended the CASL meeting and presented a report on issues including Internet filtering, Public Libraries Australia and Education and employment. The development of relationships with major stakeholders is critical and establishing good relations with CASL was welcomed.

Corporate communications: A presentation was given to the Board on the need for and benefits from developing a communications strategy. Two major issues - communication to members/potential membership to optimise membership of ALIA and the communication of the valuable services provided by libraries were discussed.

Awards: Revised guidelines for Metcalf and Excellence awards approved. Excellence award to the extended to 30 September and will aim to significantly promote the winner nationally. The nomination of Imogen Garner, University Librarian, Curtin University, for a fellowship was approved.

Public Libraries Australia: The Board welcomed the appointment of Niki Kallenberger, funded by both PLA and ALIA to work on public library issues.

Communication strategy: Discussed communication with members including greater visibility with visits to states by Executive Director and President.

ALIA Biennial conference 2006 - CLICK 06: Planning well underway, a significant number of registrations at the early bird rate.

Planning for 2006/7 National Advisory Congress: Content cleared including presentation seeking feedback on key areas identified for action in 2006/07 and report on activities in 2005/06. Proposed governance changes will be a major item. A series of regional and capital city meetings were approved to support consultation for the NAC, which will be held on 19th September in conjunction with the ALIA biennial conference in Perth.

Resume review: The New Generation Policy and Advisory Group have identified a need for a service offering assistance to new librarians writing resumes. They offered such a service to those attending the New Librarians Symposium in 2004 which was a success. The Board agreed that ALIA would investigate a resume service, noting that a range of models were possible.

Publishing: The Board discussed a paper with financial information on ALIA's publications.

Senior appointments: The Board discussed representations from a number of members on the recent appointment to the State Library of New South Wales. It reviewed ALIA's policy on Senior appointments and did not make any amendments to this policy. After considerable discussion points were agreed for a communication on the issue to members through Incite.

Roxanne Missingham
24 July 2006