New Generations Advisory Committee

Terms of reference

Purpose

The purpose of the ALIA New Generation Advisory Committee (NGAC) is to develop ideas and potentially services of particular interest and benefit to new graduate and early career members of ALIA as well as raise matters of interest and concern to new graduate members employed in libraries and information agencies.

The Committee will advise the ALIA Board of Directors on:

1. Initiatives to be taken to strengthen the membership and participation of new graduate library and information professionals in the Association;
2. Matters of such interest and concern to students and early career professionals. Such matters may be referred from or to the ALIA Board of Directors;
3. Representation on and/or liaison with appropriate bodies including but not limited to the New Graduates Group, IFLA New Professionals Discussion Group and New Librarians Symposium organising committees;
4. Increasing awareness of and participation in new graduate issues and activities by all identified stakeholders;
5. Promote discussion of issues of relevance to new graduates;
6. Other matters as determined by the ALIA Board of Directors.

The committee is constituted under ALIA By-law 8 http://www.alia.org.au/governance/by-laws/8.html

Deliverables

NGAC will aim to:

1. Draft and/or contribute to discussion papers of relevance to new library professionals;
2. Provide advice to the Board of Directors on strategic and policy issues for new library professionals;
3. Liaise with other organisations on matters relating to new library professionals;
4. Contribute to discussion papers and submissions to enquiries from the membership;
5. Consult the membership regarding issues of relevance to new library professionals;
6. Advise the membership of the work being done on behalf of new library professionals.

Issues

Issues to be considered by NGAC include but are not limited to:

1. Mentoring for new graduates
2. Workforce and succession planning
3. LIS Education
4. Professional development and engagement for new graduates, including conferences
5. Promotion and marketing of the profession to the new generation of school leavers and university graduates
6. Recruitment and retention of new library professionals
7. Employability of new graduates, and strategies to maximise employability and retention of new library professionals.

Review

The advisory committee shall be subject to the review requirements of the ALIA Board of Directors no more than every two years.

Membership

Membership will comprise new graduate and early career associate members of the Association with a commitment to advancing the profession, with no more than ten years experience after qualification. The advisory committee may co-opt expertise as needed in particular areas and which is not available through the Association\'s members. Expressions of Interest for new members will be put out when needed (generally once a year) and the Chair will make recommendations to the Board of Directors based on the applications. The Board of Directors has the final decision on appointment of members to NGAC.

Terms of Office

Members will be appointed for three-year terms. Members may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Members qualified more than ten years will no longer be eligible to serve on this committee.

Communication

The advisory committee will meet electronically as needed but at least every two months via teleconference.

The advisory committee shall report as required on matters referred by the Board of Directors.

The advisory committee may refer matters of interest or concern to the Board of Directors for consideration.

The advisory committee will communicate to ALIA members on relevant matters.