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Cohesion - the ALIA 2001 National Policy Congress

ALIA 2002 Planning

presented by Jennefer Nicholson, ALIA executive director

Section 1

Vision

Excellence in library and information services (new vision statement to be developed).

Mission

ALIA is a dynamic and progressive, national, non-profit organisation which represents the interests of the Australian library and information sector. ALIA asserts as a basic right of citizenship the right to free access to information and acknowledges the competitive advantage of a community which has access to timely and accurate information. ALIA will work towards the enhancement of the profile of library personnel and the role of library and information services for the benefit of society.

Objects

To promote the free flow of information and ideas in the interest of all Australians and a thriving culture, economy and democracy;
To promote and improve the services provided by all kinds of library and information agencies;
To ensure the high standard of personnel engaged in information provision and foster their professional interests and aspirations;
To represent the interests of members to governments, other organisations and the community; and
To encourage people to contribute to the improvement of library and information services through support and membership of the Association.

Strategic focus

Rapid change dictated by a global marketplace is the context of the new millennium. We are encouraged to develop a strong sense of ourselves, of the local, in the midst of these global influences on our life and our profession. In this challenging environment, ALIA will focus its efforts on:

strategies to support achievement of excellence in Australian library and information services
strategies to promote the effectiveness of the profession
strategies to sustain the viability of ALIA and to ensure its continued vitality and progress

Section 2

Areas of key activity

To achieve greater impact of and support for the Association and its Objects.

Promoting the rights of all users to equitable access to information

...particularly within online content, copyright, intellectual property and licensing regimes. (Objects: 1,2,3,4)

Benefit to members: reinforces the role of library and information professionals as responsible agents in providing access to information; develops resources to support members in their practice.

Advocating for public access to information

...through a structured and informed lobbying and advocacy program. (Objects: 1,2,3,4,5)

Benefits to members: achieves greater credibility for the sector with governments, funding bodies and community; availability of associated member resources including industry data, a relevant up-to-date suite of policy statements, and lobbying and advocacy kits; encourages greater member involvement in lobbying and advocacy.

Securing strategic partnerships and alliances.

(Objects: 1,2,3,4,5)

Benefits to members: expands range of services and benefits; strengthens representational alliances; widens opportunities for enhancing professional practice; provides discounts for non-ALIA activities.

Setting the agenda for future workforce and practice priorities, career long professional development, and practice linked research. (Objects: 2,3,5)

Benefits to members: secures sector-wide agreement on a new framework for career-long education; expands ALIA initiated professional development opportunities; increases focussed research opportunities.

Promoting and celebrating the role and value of library and information services to the community at large.

(Objects: 1,2,3,4,5)

Benefits to members: raises the profile of the profession; increases visibility in the wider community and to governments; celebrates professional achievements through a new awards program; offers a range of targeted promotional events and Library and Information Week.

Targeting services and benefits to most effectively meet the needs of all members

...in particular institutions, students and new professionals. (Objects: 2,3,4,5)

Benefits to members: focuses services and programs; stronger membership base; specific programs and services for special and public sector institutional members, student/new professional and senior management members.

Implementing a communications and information management strategy

...to improve communication, service delivery, planning and evaluation. (Objects: 3,4,5)

Benefit to members: increases opportunities for engagement in activities; more effective communication; new products, services and facilities designed to match the needs of members; accurate information available on a timely basis

Continuously improving governance and management practices

...to maximise financial viability, member participation and benefit, and growth. (Objects: 3,5)

Benefits to members: sound organisational operating base; participation in policy development and planning through the National Policy Congress, sectoral, geographic and issues groups.

Section 3

Key initiatives

Develop and market new services for students/new professional members (Objects 2,3,5)
Develop and market new services for senior professional member (Objects 2,3,5)
Achieve favourable purchasing agreements for institutional members for products and services, including licence agreements (Objects 1,2,5)
Devise and implement a library and information services promotions campaign (Objects 1,2,3,4,5)
Establish national fora for cross sectoral collaboration (Objects 1,2,3,4)
Develop strategic action program for special libraries (Objects 2,3,4,5)
Develop strategic action program for public libraries (Objects 2,3,4,5)
Develop strategy for career-long education for the knowledge age (Objects 2,3)
Identify central role of ALIA in the development of a research culture for the library and information sector (Objects 2,3,4,5)
Development of online services and information management system (Objects 3,4,5)

Initiative 1

Develop and market new services for students/new professional members

Purpose

Increase membership of students and new professionals by development of services of relevance; provide professional focus

Supports Object/Area of Key Activity/National Policy Congress

Objects 2, 3,and 5:
AKA Targeting services and benefits to most effectively meet the needs of all members, in particular institutions, students and new professionals
NPC1: Renewed emphasis on member services-4.2: develop marketing plan to attract new members; review reasons for membership loss

Benefits

Focussed services and program for students and new professionals; stronger membership base

Reporting through

BoD

Start Date

July 2001

Key Milestone 1

December 2001: Expectations of members segment identified and draft program of services identified

Key milestone 2

April 2002: program, incentives and services ready for implementation

Key milestone 3

April-July 2002: 1st promotional push to students/new professionals

Completion date

Ongoing - review of outcome of first push in September 2002

Initiative 2

Develop and market new services for senior professional members

Purpose

Increase membership of senior professionals by development of services of relevance

Supports Object/Area of Key Activity/National Policy Congress

Objects 2, 3, and 5:
AKA: Targeting services and benefits to most effectively meet the needs of all members, in particular institutions, students and new professionals
NPC1: Renewed emphasis on member services - 4.2: develop marketing plan to attract new members; review reasons for membership loss

Benefits

Focussed services and programs for senior management members; stronger membership base

Reporting through

BoD

Start Date

July 2002

Key Milestone 1

December 2002: Expectations of members segment identified and draft program of services identified

Key milestone 2

April 2003: Program, incentives and services ready for implementation April 2003: Non-members identified for targeting

Key milestone 3

April-July 2003: 1st promotional push to senior professionals

Completion date

Ongoing - review of outcome of first push in September 2003

Initiative 3

Achieve favourable purchasing agreements for institutional members for products and services, including licence agreements

Purpose

Achieve financial benefits for institutional members and to improve access to electronic resources through cooperative arrangements not already being pursued by other bodies eg CASL, CAUL

Supports Object/Area of Key Activity/National Policy Congress

Objects 1, 2 and 5
AKA: Targeting services and benefits to most effectively meet the needs of all members, in particular institutional; defending the rights of all users
NPC: Renewed emphasis on member services - 4.2: develop marketing plan to attract new members; review reasons for membership loss

Benefits

Specific program for special and public sector and institutional members; membership growth

Reporting through

BoD

Start Date

July 2001

Key Milestone 1

October 2001: development with CAL of licensing models for special libraries commences

Key milestone 2

November-Dec 2001: Consultation with NLA, CASL, CAUL, DETYA and other groups regarding work undertaken in relation to site licences and consortia

Key milestone 3

April 2002: Informal working groups established consisting of selection of institutional and group members to identify relevant products and services for targeted sectors; determine role of ALIA in relation to specific sectors and tasks

Key Milestone 4

December 2002: reporting to BoD of purchasing agreements achieved, and assessment of further actions

Completion date

Ongoing

Initiative 4

Devise and implement a library and information services promotions campaign

Purpose

To increase public and stakeholder awareness of the continuing value of libraries and information services, their relevance in the internet environment and their ability to reinvent themselves; To act on high priority issue identified for ALIA support by institutional members in the 2001 survey.

Supports Object/Area of Key Activity/National Policy Congress

Objects 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
AKA: Promoting and celebrating the role and value of LIS to the community at large; Targeting services and benefits to most effectively meet the needs of all members
NPC1: Renewed emphasis on member services

Benefits

Raises the profile of the profession; increases visibility in the wider community and to governments; celebrates professional achievements through a new awards program; offers a range of targeted promotional events and Library and Information Week

Reporting through

BoD

Start Date

July 2001

Key Milestone 1

September 2001 Cross-sectoral steering group established and consultancy specifications developed

Key Milestone 2

November 2001 Consultant engaged

Key Milestone 3

April/May 2002: Proposal to BoD on promotional options and costs

Completion date

Feasibility completed May 2002

Initiative 5

Establish national fora for cross sectoral collaboration

Purpose

Greater national and cross sectoral collaboration to identify key issues for the sector and joint actions to address them

Supports Object/Area of Key Activity/National Policy Congress

Objects 1,2, 3 and 4
AKA: Securing strategic partnerships and alliances
NPC1: Rec. 6: Issues based fora for professional and political needs/purposes - issues driven

Benefits

Expands range of services and Benefits; strengthens representational alliances; widens opportunities for enhancing professional practice

Reporting through

BoD

Start Date

August 2001 with Initiatives 4 and 8

Key Milestone 1

November 2001: Career-long educational forum;

Key Milestone 2

April/May 2002: agreement on promotional campaign; ALIA 2002 information agenda

October 2001 - January 2002

Consultant appointed to identify information resources, including funding resources; establish ALIA's research commitment and priorities, research strategies; identify mechanisms to encourage culture of sharing information about research-academy and practice-and to enable sector to advise of areas in which research is needed
Define and scope ALIA's clearinghouse/dissemination role and establish mechanisms for lodging information about research

Key Milestone 2

March 2002: Report signed off by BoD

Key Milestone 3

April 2002:

Research database operational-membership and sector informed and mechanisms for collecting and disseminating information established (linked to IMS)
Plan for ALIA's research commitment, priorities and research strategies agreed

Completion date

April 2002 Program fully operational

Initiative 10

Development of online services and information management system

Purpose

Initially, an upgrade to our existing membership database which will extend into development of a comprehensive information management system

Supports Object/Area of Key Activity/National Policy Congress

Objects 3,4 and 5
AKA: Develop an IT strategy for improved communication, service delivery and growth of the organisation over the next 2 years
NPC1: renewed emphasis on member services

Benefits

Member access to secure online services, including access to live membership details, suitable for conference bookings, journal subscriptions, merchandise purchases, and a range of customised online transactions. In addition, a complete online information management system that allows both members and staff of ALIA National Office to access a range of resources, not limited to recruitment and retention, groups support, affinity programs, lobbying, research, communication

Reporting through

BoD/ED

Start Date

July 2001 - Scoping study on options available

Key Milestone 1

October 2001, to report on options, and to determine course of action

Key Milestone 2

November 2001, Gillard research report; tenders/specifications finalised

Key Milestone 3

February 2002, testing and refining of infrastructure

Key milestone 4

June 2002, launch and readiness for next membership year

Completion date

July 2002, although ongoing development and refinement will be required

Section 4

Operational activities overview

2002 operational plan

1.1 Governance

1.1.1 Manage Board of Directors Business
1.1.2 Elections
1.1.3 Quarterly reports
1.1.4 Annual Report
1.1.5 Annual General Meeting
1.1.6 Compliance with Constitution and Corporations Law

1.2 Policy

1.2.1 ALIA Policy statements

Develop
Review

1.2.2 Monitor and shape relevant government policy

Monitor policy developments
Liaise with key stakeholder groups on specific and general issues
Submissions to government enquiries
Work with government departments and advisory bodies
Lobbying and advocacy program (internally with members; externally with relevant bodies)
Resources and information database

1.2.3 Advisory and reference groups

Projects
Support

Attachment A - ALIA Advisory and reference groups

1.2.4 Representation to and on relevant bodies

Attachment B - List of non-ALIA committees

1.2.5 Member briefs
1.2.6 National Policy Congress

1.3 Groups

1.3.1 Administration and support to groups

Attachment C - List of web addresses for groups

1.3.2 Work with group members on activities, projects
1.3.3 Group reporting process
1.3.4 Financial Management

2.1 Member Services

2.1.1 Entry-level course recognition

Recognition process
ACR
VET training package
Products and resources
Widened eligibility

2.1.2 Continuing Professional Development

CPD membership program
Career planning program
Mentoring program
Partnerships and learning programs
Promotion
Products and resources

2.1.3 Employment and industrial services

General member advice and support
Pay equity
Seminars, workshops and presentations
Products and resources
ALIA National Office employment advice and Enterprise Agreement

2.1.4 Copyright

Representation to government and related bodies
Advisory services
Products and resources

2.2 Publishing

2.2.1 Journals - inCite and ALJ

Subscriptions and claims
inCite editing
Advertising
Design and layout

2.2.2 Group Journals (Orana, AARL)

Subscriptions and claims
Design and layout
Editorial assistance
Financial management
newsletter database

2.2.3 Publications Administration

Contracts
Royalties
Distribution
Editorial agreements

2.2.4 ALIAnet

e-lists etc
e-publishing

2.3 Awards

2.3.1 Awards Administration

National
Group
Sponsorship
Promotion

2.4 Library and Information Week

2.4.1 Coordination of Library and Information Week

Development of promotional materials
Sale of promotional materials
Promotion

2.5 Conferences

2.5 1 ALIA Conferences

Conference administration
Representation and presentation
Conference promotional activities
Financial reporting

2.5.2 Non-ALIA Conference representation and presentation

3.1 Finance

3.1.1 Interlibrary Loan Vouchers

3.1.2 Banking

3.1.3 Financial records

ALIA general
Groups accounts and monthly reports
Annual budget
Inventory and asset register
BAS
FBT
Superannuation

3.1.4 Annual audit and financial statements

3.1.5 Insurances

3.1.6 Investment Portfolio Management

3.1.7 Staff Records and Payroll

3.1.8 Workers Compensation

3.2 Systems and Records

3.2.1 Systems - ALIA National Office

Telephone systems
Computer systems
Furniture
Security
Maintenance

3.2.2 Records

National Office resources
Archives (NO AND NLA)

3.3 Membership

3.3.1 Renewals

3.3.2 Membership Reports

3.3.3 New Member Applications

Registration examination papers
Membership files maintenance
Membership records and constitutional compliance

3.3.4 Membership Promotion

3.4 ALIA House

3.4.1 Management of ALIA House

Liaison with building managers
Maintenance
Finance
Insurances/valuation
Contracts
Common areas
Conference room

Attachment A

ALIA Advisory and reference groups

Policy or issues related advisory committees

Online content and regulation (Objects 1,2,4)

International Relations Committee (Objects 1,4)

Expert group on ILL (Objects 1,2)

Education and CPD

Research

Governance

By-laws committee

National awards committee

Nominating committee

Publishing and editorial committee

National Policy Congress

Attachment B

Representation on other committees

ALIA/ASLA taskforce
ALIA/ASLA policy and advisory group
Information Literacy Roundtable
ALIA/RMAA/ASA committee on education and training
AusInfo-Libraries Liaison Committee (Objects 2,4)
Australian Committee on Cataloguing (Objects 1,2,4)
CREATE Australia (Objects 3,4)
Harold White Fellowship Council
National Resource Sharing Policy Committee (Objects 1,2,4)
Standards Australia IT19 committee (Objects 1,2,4)
National Scholarly Communications Forum (Objects 1,2,4)
Book Industry Assistance Plan (Objects 1,2,4)
Australian Libraries Copyright Committee
Australian Digital Alliance
IFLA

Attachment C

Group Information can be found at http://www.alia.org.au/groups.html

ACTive ALIA
ALIA One Person Australian Libraries
ALIA (WA) Mentoring Program
ALIA Orana Management and Readership
ALIA Academic and Research Libraries (WA)
ALIA Pathways to CPD
ALIA Acquisitions National
ALIA Qld Health Libraries
ALIA Acquisitions SA
ALIA Qld OPAL's
ALIA ACT and District Health Forum
ALIA Queensland Library Technicians
ALIA ACT Specials
ALIA Quill (Queensland Inter Library Liaison)
ALIA Agriculture and Environment Interest Group
ALIA Quorum
ALIA ARCoM - Academic, Research and Collection Management
ALIA Reference and Information Services QLD
ALIA Asia Pacific Special Interest Group
ALIA Reference and Information Services Sa
ALIA Australian Serials Special Interest Group
ALIA Riverina
ALIA Career Management Group (ViC)
ALIA Rockhampton Regional Group
ALIA Central West NSW
ALIA SA Public Library
ALIA Children's and Youth Services NSW
ALIA Schools Victoria
ALIA Children's Youth Services Group QLD
ALIA SEQ Publics
ALIA Collection and Access Management QLD
ALIA South Australia
ALIA Corporate Special Interest Group
ALIA South Australian Library Technicians
ALIA Darling Downs Regional Group
ALIA South Queensland University and Research Libraries (SQURLS)
ALIA Far North Coast Regional Group (NSW)
ALIA Special Libraries (Vic)
ALIA Geelong Regional Group
ALIA Special Libraries South Australia
ALIA Geraldton Mid West Regional Group
ALIA TAFE National Group
ALIA Health Libraries Aust
ALIA TAFE NSW Group
ALIA Hunter Regional Group
ALIA Tasmania
ALIA Information Literacy Forum
ALIA URLs (ACT)
ALIA Information Science South Australia
ALIA Victorian Information Organisers
ALIA Information Specialists
ALIA Victoria
ALIA Knowledge and Information Specialists
ALIA WA Forum
ALIA LATTe
ALIA WA Library Technician's Group
ALIA Library Technicians (ACT)
Central Australia Regional Group of ALIA
ALIA Local Studies NSW
North Central ALIA Group VIC
ALIA Local Studies Western Australia
TALIATecs
ALIA National Library Technicians
TropicAlia
ALIA NSW Cataloguers
Victorian ALIA Library Technicians
ALIA NSW
ALIA TAFE (QLD)
ALIA NSW Library Technicians
ALIA NT Library and Information Workers
ALIA Off Campus Library Services

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