ALIA research committee report

19 May 2005

Author: Joyce Kirk

Objects met: 2, 3

Members: Joyce Kirk (Chair), Kerry Smith, Kerrie Burgess, Mari Davis, John Houghton, Don Schauder, Naida Tattersall, Marie Murphy

Report

Since last reporting to the Board of Directors, the research committee has remained actively involved in issues relating to ALIA's role in supporting and encouraging practitioner research. Areas in which the committee has contributed include:

• Provision of supplementary information outlining ALIA's involvement in research to the Australian Taxation Office for forwarding to DEST. This was in response to advice from ATO that, while ALIA's initial application for Approved Research Institute/Deductible Gift Recipient status had been unsuccessful, DEST was willing to reconsider it on the receipt of further information. In spite of follow-up through ATO and DEST the situation is still to be resolved and this continues to impact on the association's ability to accept research funds in the form of bequests and donations. The research committee is continuing to pursue this matter through ALIA National Office.
• Input into ALIA's 2005-2006 plan to ensure that ongoing research activities and opportunities for further member involvement and participation in research were appropriately articulated in the initiatives established for that two-year period.
• Encouragement of practitioner research through the recommendation to award the YBP/Lindsay & Howes Award to enable a practitioner to undertake a research project in the area of collection services and the decision to make a further call in 2005 for nominations for the Ray Choate Scholarship to encourage research that will lead to improved practice in reference and information services.
• Ongoing publicising of REAP and the ALIA e-print initiative through inCite and other communication channels to encourage development of a research culture in which members freely engage and contribute.

At its March 2005 meeting the Board of Directors endorsed the research committee's terms of reference for a further two years. All members of the committee have now completed their initial two year term. Current members Kerrie Burgess, John Houghton, Joyce Kirk, Don Schauder, Kerry Smith and Naida Tattersall have agreed to serve a second term. Mari Davis, who is currently living in California, has advised that she is unable to continue as a member of the committee. Under the TOR, minimum committee membership is five. The Board may consider appointing up to three new members as this will broaden the expertise available to the committee in order to complete its tasks.

After two years as convenor, Joyce Kirk has indicated she wishes to step aside from that role. Nominations for a new convenor are being called.

A face-to-face meeting of current and new committee members is planned for July 2005.

Joyce Kirk convenor, ALIA Research Committee