ALIA Library Technician Advisory Committee

The ALIA Library Technician Advisory Committee was established in 2009 to advise the Board of Directors on development of a strategic action program for Library Technicians. The primary task of the Advisory Committee is to develop proposals for a number of strategic activities that will deliver services of particular interest and benefit to Library Technicians and increase the awareness and participation by Library Technicians in ALIA services and activities.

Report of Activity December 2009 - June 2011

Purpose
The ALIA Library Technician Advisory Committee was established in 2009 to advise the Board of Directors on development of a strategic action program for Library Technicians. The primary task of the Advisory Committee is to develop proposals for a number of strategic activities that will deliver services of particular interest and benefit to Library Technicians and increase the awareness and participation by Library Technicians in ALIA services and activities.

The objectives of the committee:

• To determine the statistics of qualified library technicians in Australia
• To develop initiatives of particular interest and benefit to LT members of ALIA
• To raise matters of concern to student LT members and members employed as library technicians or those with interest in library technician education. Such matters may be referred to or from the ALIA Board of Directors
• To strengthen the membership and participation in the Association of LTs or members with interests in LT education; and
• Other matters as determined by the ALIA Board of Directors.

Deliverables
The ALIA Library & Information Technicians Advisory Committee will aim to:

• Undertake a statistical study of library technicians in Australia
• Identify a range of strategic initiatives that will meet the established outcome; and
• Provide advice to the ALIA Board on strategic, advocacy and policy issues for the LT fraternity.

Issues to be considered by the ALIA Library & Information Technicians Advisory Committee include but are not limited to:

• Promotion and advocacy for LTs
• Staffing, training and professional development issues for LTs, including those in rural and geographically remote areas
• Involvement and engagement of LT members
• Representation on and liaison with ALIA and other relevant peak bodies

Full details of the Terms of Reference can be found at http://www.alia.org.au/governance/committees/library.technician/terms.of.reference.html

The committee's deliverables, with the assistance of the ALIA National Office, are to:

• Contribute to discussion papers and submissions to IBSA regarding the review and updating of the Museums and Libraries Training Package
• Provide advice to the Board on strategic and policy issues for the library technician sector
• Encourage members' engagement in local activities and the broader work of the association and advocate to key stakeholders
• Develop a communication strategy designed to keep stakeholders informed about the committee's activities.

Membership
Current members of the ALIA LTAC are:

• (VIC) Gail Schmidt - Chair
• (SA) Terri Pamment
• (TAS) Leonie Atkins
• (SA Robyn Nagel
• (VIC) Bradley O'Brien
• (NSW) Janette Telford
• (NT) Pat Whalan
• (QLD) Rowena Brannigan

Since the ALIA Board of Directors appointed the committee following the Board meeting in late November 2009, two members have resigned their positions; Suzanne Ballantyne and Patricia D'Arcy.

Meetings
The committee has communicated via email, participated in quarterly teleconferences and intends to meet at a face-to-face meeting in Perth, in September, to coincide with Back to Basics, the ALIA National Information and Library Technicians Conference 2011.