ALIA National Policy Congress 2000: recommendations to the Board of Directors and members

Accreditation of library services

A sub-group of the NPC considered the establishment of an optional ALIA accreditation of library services program. The Congress as a whole agreed to recommendations going forward to the Board of Directors on the understanding that there is as yet no consensus on proceeding with accreditation.

The National Policy Congress recommends to the Board of Directors that it investigate establishing an ALIA accreditation of library services program and in its investigation take into account the following:

1. Institutional membership of ALIA be a pre-requisite for accreditation;
2. a kit setting out achievable management practice for accreditation and including basic/generic guidelines be produced by a steering committee/working party;
3. accreditation be done by an ALIA member accredited to do so through an ALIA CPD training program;
4. the merits of accreditation be widely promoted: that it is worthwhile doing, it adds value to the library service, and is a useful performance management tool;
5. the accreditation be for a limited period, renewable and offered at different levels/tiers;
6. costs of accreditation be borne by the organisation seeking accreditation;
7. an ALIA section be established to encourage participation in and promote the benefits of accreditation;
8. the accreditation process be linked to the ALIA CPD membership program;
9. ALIA accreditation would be in addition to other industry accreditation processes (for example, health);
10. the attainment of accreditation by an organisation be celebrated in ways which recognise the professionalism of the library service.

The future of ALIA conferences

A sub-group of the NPC considered the future of ALIA conferences. The Congress as a whole agreed to recommendations going forward to the Board of Directors.

The National Policy Congress recommends to the Board of Directors that:

1. the profit/loss of conferences in recent years be analysed;
2. conveners be required to provide complete records;
3. the Board investigate establishing a trust fund to invest some funds as a 'hedge' against losses;
4. ALIA National Office take a co-ordinating role, providing assistance in planning and scheduling conferences and where possible encouraging linkages;
5. market research on the conference needs of members, employers and trade be commissioned;
6. the Board investigate the feasibility of holding the National Policy Congress at the ALIA biennial conference;
7. the needs of rural/isolated members be met by videotaping sessions, bursaries/sponsorship to attend, and 'virtual attendance' via internet.

In formulating these recommendations the sub-group believed that:

1. The main reasons for attending a conference were:
   • a good program
   • speakers they want to hear
   • networking with colleagues
   • to view trade exhibitions
2. The goals in holding conferences should be:
   • networking
   • interaction with colleagues (workshops)
   • promote research
   • continuing professional development
   • profit to support ALIA activities
   • keep identity 'alive'
   • co-operation with trade
   • opportunities for rural/isolated members
3. Issues and challenges are:
   • declining numbers of delegates;
   • one recent conference made a substantial loss;
   • ALIA relies on profits as a source of funds;
   • an 'umbrella' conference will not meet the needs of members/employers;
   • rotating conference locations allows 'locals' to attend en masse;
   • small numbers in some cities/states result in a concentration of conferences in larger cities, for example, 2001 in Melbourne;
   • do conferences accurately reflect the needs of the profession?;
   • some specialist conferences combine to maximise attendance, for example, Specials, Health and Law;
   • the same amount of work is involved regardless of numbers of delegates;
   • the trade is more likely to support conferences with larger numbers of delegates;
   • organisers may need information/training to gain skills in managing finances for convening conferences;
   • has the ALIA conference become too much of a 'talkfest' - do we need to reduce and refocus?;
   • scheduling to co-ordinate the various specialist and related conferences is required.

Continuing professional development

• the range of activities;
• how the weighting and recording systems work;
• the importance of using the Career planning kit;
• the development of strategic partnerships with training providers to deliver specific courses;
• there are no prescribed activities;
• the emphasis is on planning CPD to meet the individual's needs;

CPD queries can be directed to the CPD officer at ALIA National Office, e-mail cpd@alia.org.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address).