Election of the vice-president (and president elect)

We are delighted that two exceptional candidates have stepped forward as potential Vice-Presidents (President-elect) for the 2013-2015 period. These are senior people from our sector with a passion for the library and information profession, who are willing to make a significant contribution in terms of their time and expertise.

The role of Board members is to help shape the future direction of the Association, providing guidance to the executive team; making policy decisions and being responsible for the financial sustainability of ALIA. It is both challenging and rewarding, and requires a considerable investment of personal time to attend events, chair meetings and support special projects. Who will you vote for?

• Michael Robinson
• Susan Coker

There are three board positions to be filled, including that of ALIA vice-president (and president elect). All our members have the opportunity to vote. The election is being conducted by Australian Election Company and voting will open on 2 March and close at 5:00pm AEDST on 2 April, 2013. Members with an email address registered with ALIA will be sent an email with instructions for casting an internet vote. Australian Election Company will post materials directly to members who do not have an email address to enable them to vote by Postal Voting. The successful candidates will take office at the board meeting following our Annual General Meeting in May 2013, and their positions will be for two years, until the AGM in May 2015.

Susan Coker

Present position

Executive Manager, Library Services for Townsville City Council

Previous positions

In a public library career spanning 17 years, Susan worked as a children's specialist, before moving into management roles. Following the local government amalgamations in 2008, Susan oversaw the creation of one library service for the new Townsville City Council. CityLibraries Townsville was the first public library in Australia to be connected to the national broadband network, and one of the first digital hubs funded through the Department of Broadband, Communication and the Digital Economy.

Professional activities

Susan has served as a regional representative on the Queensland Public Libraries Association, and is currently serving on the Public Libraries Advisory Group of the State Library of Queensland. Susan is also a member of the Local Government Managers Association.

Statement of professional concerns

My professional concerns most likely mirror those of most of the profession, with the added impact of a regional perspective.

Maximising the benefits of the national broadband network, through finding new roles for public libraries, and addressing issues around the impact on libraries, especially public libraries, of the transition from print to digital.

Advocacy for the profession and professional standards, and strengthening the role of our professional association, particularly in regional areas

Maintaining a strong public library sector into the future, through demonstrating value, seeking new roles, and finding natural partners for that purpose.

susan.coker@townsville.qld.gov.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address)

Michael Robinson

BA (Hons), Melbourne
GradDip Librarianship, RMIT
MB (IT), RMIT
EdD, Bristol, UK

Present position

Chief Executive Officer - CAVAL

Previous positions

Prior to joining CAVAL, I had been the Institute Librarian at The Hong Kong Institute of Education, and founding Director of the Hong Kong Museum of Education, the Director of Library and Learning Resource Projects at RMIT International University Vietnam, and Associate University Librarian - Business Development at RMIT University Library.

Professional activities

• Member, IFLA Regional Standing Committee for Asia and Oceania, (IFLA RSCAO). Member, IFLA Building Strong Library Associations Task Force (BSLA), IFLA BSLA Core Trainer - Nepal Community Library Association, IFLA ALP Trainer - Vietnamese Library Association
• President & Fellow, Hong Kong Library Association, (HKLA)
• President, Executive Committee Member & Conference Organizing Committee Member, Victorian Association for Library Automation (VALA)

Statement of professional concerns

As libraries of all types continue to re-position themselves to address changing client interests, organisational priorities and technology shifts, opportunities exist for ALIA to support this through the nurturing of inventive partnerships, collaboration and resource-sharing, both within the library and information sector and with other cultural organisations and professional bodies. The Association is also in an ideal position to further develop its role in the region in addition to its work nationally, to offer greater opportunities for interaction with libraries and library associations in Asia and the Pacific.

michael.robinson@caval.edu.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address)