New generation policy advisory group report

19 May 2005

Author: Kate Watson (convenor)

Objects met: 3, 5

Members: Kate Watson (convenor), Natalie Blanchard, Tony Wauhope, Kate Sinclair, Fiona Bradley, Andrew Rayner, Adrianne Harris, Tania Barry, Emma Royan-Smith (secretary)

Report

1.0 Report aim

Update on progress of the second term of the new generation policy and advisory group.

2.0 Update on NGPAG meetings and members

Since the last report for Board of Directors, the new generation policy and advisory group have met by teleconference on the following dates:

• 13 April
• 20 April

Future teleconference meetings are planned for:

• 18 May
• 15 June
• 13 July
• 10 August

Members of new generation policy and advisory group have picked up from where the first term members finished.

Group members have read the past NGPAG board papers and discussed closing comments left by previous group members from the first NGPAG term.

Group members have also familiarised themselves with previous NGPAG initiatives including:

• The formation and development of the new graduates group
• NLS 1, NLS 1.5 and NLS 2
• New graduates group webpage on the ALIA website
• ALIA new grad e-list
• New Grad column 'energise >> enthuse >> inspire' in inCite

3.0 NGPAG survey

NGPAG conducted a survey at NLS2 (December 2004) to aid the group in determining priorities for the two year term. The survey asked NLS 2 delegates and NGG members on the e-list what was important to them, what they wanted from ALIA and what they wanted to see NGPAG work on for the next two year term.

To date the group has received 43 responses to the survey.

The group is keeping this survey open and available on the web until June 2005 - when a comprehensive evaluation of the data will be performed and presented to ALIA.

In the mean time the group has performed analysis of the data received to date, and used this information in planning priorities for this term.

4.0 Priorities

In the previous Board of Directors report, NGPAG presented a list of eight priorities they would like to focus on for this two year term. These priorities are drawn from:

• NGPAG members thoughts and understanding of the new generation library industry needs
• Results from the NGPAG survey
• Comments from previous NGPAG members (term 1) on areas that required further attention

This list in priority order is:

• ALIA FAQ - a list of frequently asked questions addressing why new graduates and new librarians should be part of ALIA and part of the industry.
• CPD - something that is important to all librarians but is not necessarily demonstrated as something achievable.
• Scholarships.
• Mentoring.
• Research projects.
• Next step for NGG.
• Library school visits
• Resume review service

NGPAG members will work through each of these priorities to develop a project plan to advise ALIA of related initiatives and issues during the two year term.

4.1 Priority 1 - ALIA FAQ

NGPAG has been workshopping this priority at the last two teleconference meetings as well as on the NGPAG elist.

The idea behind the frequently asked questions list is a list to sell ALIA and offset negative questions about 'why should I join?' from potential ALIA members. NGPAG feels a list of answers to these frequently asked questions would provide office bearers with succinct answers to these types of questions - answers which highlight the numerous positives ALIA membership.

As new graduates group events are open to non-ALIA members, as too the NewGrad e-list, new graduates group office bearers often face numerous questions from non-ALIA members surrounding a core question 'why should I join?'

NGPAG has made this FAQ list a priority as they feel it can be created relatively easily and quickly, and will provide New Graduate Office Bearers with answers to competently and confidently answer such questions.

NGPAG sees this list as being for a target audience of ALIA office bearers - and not openly available to the general public.

Example questions and related answers that could be included in this FAQ list include:

• What do I get for my money?
• The CDP scheme sounds great - but it seems like a lot of effort for little return.
• What is the value in becoming an ALIA member?
• What is the value in becoming an ALIA committee member?
• I can join an e-list without becoming a member, so why bother?

NGPAG is continuing to workshop this priority.

4.2 Priority 2 - CPD

NGPAG is interested in seeing ALIA related professional development activities developed to meet the needs of new graduates.

Areas the NGPAG plans to investigate in this area include:

• New Graduate specific professional development activities
• Promotion of new and existing professional development activities to new graduates
• Issues surrounding new graduates and professional development

Georgina Dale attended the last NGPAG teleconference meeting and updated the group on the exciting developments ALIA is making with PD activities - including the calendar of group activities and planning of PD events by National Office.

NGPAG will investigate ways in which new graduate PD needs can be met and fed into these developments.

NGPAG is also excited that these ALIA developments are being worked to bring PD activities to regional and remote areas.

5.0 New NGG convenor

Alison O'Connor, the convenor of ALIAs national new graduates group asked NGPAG to help find a new convenor for the group as she was no longer able to continue in the role.

Simone Hys has since been appointed as ALIA new graduates group convenor (Simone was previously NGG Group Regional co-ordinator in Brisbane).

When Alison was first appointed convenor of the new graduates group - she was a member of NGPAG as well. At this stage Kate Watson was secretary of new graduates group and also a member of NGPAG. With Alison and Kate stepping down from these new graduates group committee roles - there are no longer any new graduates group committee members participating in NGPAG and NGG committee role. NGPAG would like to strengthen links and communication between NGPAG and the new new graduates group committee by inviting Simone Hys (the new new graduates group convenor) to join NGPAG. NGPAG would like to ask the Board of Directors for permission to do this.