Archive for March, 2009

Today was to be the day !

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Well,  it was to be today  - the ALIA Public Libraries Summit that is.

I have been in nearly daily contact with Senator Stephens’ office over the past couple, of weeks working with the staff there on confirming another suitable date for July.    As their event planning does not yet quite extend into July - we will have to wait a little longer for the new date.

In the meantime, there is still more news on Summit activities  :

Sue McKerrecher  (Ambassador Project Officer) has been working with libraries on getting their Ambassador program off the ground.  This hands-on support seems to be assisting, and ALIA has been pleased to offer this to public libraries.

Submissions have all been very interesting reading and PLAC, Board members and staff are now putting together the themes into further documents as preparation for the Summit.   If you would like to make any comments on any of the submissions, please email the ALIA Public Libraries Summit Project Officer.

The Public Library Associations have met via teleconference early March and will be meeting face-to-face in Parkes in late June just prior to the Public Libraries New South Wales - Country Symposium.

We are still working hard in the background on documents and other initiatives  - more news on the Blog and website over the coming weeks.

Sue Hutley,  ALIA Executive Director

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

Last week I felt a little like to mother of the bride! The invitations had been sent, the venue had been booked, we’d decided on catering and seating plans, and some fabulous gifts  (read submissions) were pouring in. Unfortunately the people we really  wanted to be there were reluctantly unable to come at this time. It was a bit like a wedding without the bridal party.

So after a good deal of consultation we decided to postpone, a decision that’s been met with understanding and support. We hope to be able to confirm the new date in the next few days but in the interim please focus on how you can be part of this momentous event.

You can do this in a number of ways. The later date means we’re still accepting submissions so if you’d been considering writing one but time had gotten the better of you don’t despair! We’ll be putting the ones that we’ve received up on the website in the next week and this may give you feed for thought.

I’d also encourage you to become involved in the Ambassador Program. More information and suggestions will also be forthcoming on this in the next week so keep checking back.

Finally do talk about the Summit and what it might mean at a local level. I prepared a report for my own Library Committee last week and they were keen to be involved through the Ambassador Program and to be kept informed (in fact one Councillor declared we needed more money in the budget to be able to promote our Ambassador, what a star!!!).  Use this as an opportunity to position your own library in the minds of decision makers while working towards a national goal.

Best wishes

Jan Richards

ALIA Vice President