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Responses to election questions:What are your skills and experience in strategic planning and leadership? I have considerable experience in strategic planning as a project manager, facilitator and participant. This has been augmented through completion of a unit in Strategic and Corporate Planning at University of Technology Sydney, Centre for Local Government.Current examples of projects I have managed or include:
All of these have involved close consultation with a diverse range of stakeholders who have often been geographically dispersed. The resulting Plans have been eminently workable documents which provide an accessible and realistic framework for future direction. In my role as Manager, Central West Libraries I lead a wonderful team of 64 staff and 75 volunteers and together we have developed an innovative, customer focussed service. I am also committed to actively participating in my profession and my community and have held a number of executive positions within these organisations. Examples include:
Since 2004 I have lead the NSW @ your library campaign which entails engaging and inspiring the state’s 97 public library services. My leadership skills have also been recognised by my having been invited to be a mentor at the Aurora Leadership Institute in 2007 and 2008. What are your skills in financial management? As Manager of Central West Libraries I control the financial resources of this regional library service. This includes establishing, reviewing and reporting on budget issues. In the current economic climate increasingly this also includes determining and reassessing priorities and seeking alternative funding sources. I have a strong track record in obtaining grant funding and sponsorship, and in furthering partnership opportunities. My experience in financial management is not limited to my paid employment. In my capacity as Director or Board member in the organisations mentioned previously I participate in the financial management process. This also includes the evaluation of grant applications and funding submissions. I am also a member of the NSW Public Libraries Consultative Committee, Finance sub committee which provides advice to the Library Council of NSW on the allocation of funds to public libraries from the State Government. What other skills do you bring as a potential board member? I have developed communication skills and have made many presentations at conferences, seminars and workshops. As a Library Manager in a regional area I also do my “fair share” of speaking engagements with the CWA, Probus, Lions, APEX etc – all of which I take great pleasure in. I also enjoy writing and am a regular contributor to library publications. I am a practised advocate and lobbyist and am used to working with senior government officials and ministers. I have also developed strong links with the media and have become experienced at giving interviews. You can listen to an example at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/29/2105055.htm - it’s an interview I gave to the World Today in November regarding library funding. To many people ALIA is synonymous with Conferences and professional development. I have been a member of the organising committee for several ALIA Conference (Sydney 2000; ALIA Public Libraries Conference, Sydney 1995), and convened the Public Libraries NSW – Country Conference in 2001. I have also developed and presented the conference “bid” – I will long remember my appearance at the Australian Local Government Woman’s conference in Launceston when there was a power failure and I had to talk a darkened room through some imaginary pictures of Orange! I believe a successful board is dependent on the experience, knowledge and cohesion of its members. I have been fortunate in many previous positions to have undertaken governance training with my colleagues and this has given me a sound understanding of good practice. Finally I am enthusiastic, have great networks and have an ability to think laterally! What specific issues interest you, or that you are hoping to address during your time as a Board Member? There are a number of issues I’d like to address if I’m elected and no doubt once I become aware of others I may move things around but specifically:
Libraries across Australia are being faced with a suite of issues. Political, social and technological changes offer us a myriad of challenges, but also opportunities. It is a time for us to work together as one industry to address these through policy direction, education and professional development for the benefit of our members and the communities we serve. If we are to achieve this and retain our relevance we need to speak with one voice, and to do this we need to work in concert with other library organisations. Additional links |
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