The ALIA National Policy Congress 2002: Canberra
Report from the meeting of ALIA groups in the ACT region held on 9 October, 4th Floor Conference Room, National Library of Australia, 5:30pm.
Introduction
The meeting was a combined ACTive ALIA meeting (convened by Helen Roberts) and NPC Regional Meeting (facilitated by Jennefer Nicholson, representing the ALIA Board).
A small but committed group of ALIA members discussed the background documents prepared for the meeting:
- The information agenda.
- ALIA Draft Plan - ALIA: Making the difference.
- Progress made since the 2001 ALIA National Policy Congress.
Report of Outcomes
- Information agenda
The group strongly endorsed the involvement of ALIA in framing and furthering the 'Information Agenda'. ACTive ALIA considers that ALIA's key role is to promote the value of information professionals in society, and to champion libraries as agents for delivery of information for both recreation and life-long learning. Who else but ALIA will speak with a united voice on behalf of all types of libraries and all members of our profession?
- The ALIA draft plan for 2003 and 2004
Specific comments on the draft plan (from this and the previous ACTive ALIA meeting) include:
- This 18-page document is a speculative, future wish list. Nowhere does it assign costs ($s), nor discuss resources.
- ALIA needs to do less, better. There is too much in the plan. Do fewer things - funded, costed, planned and implemented.
- 18 pages is too much - a snapshot would be better; it contributes to information overload; it is a difficult document to engage with; succinct, targeted successful communication is something that the Association is still coming to grips with.
- Why doesn't ALIA do things, not plan things (eg, o and p in the summary on p2)
- The 'summary of proposed initiatives' is a re-statement of plans from previous NPCs.
- What are the metrics that enable the Board and members to assess whether or not ALIA is successful and achieving its aims?
- Item 3 (LISEKA) in appendix - there is no indication that anyone had contrary views.
- We need less strategy and more tactics.
- Nowhere is there acknowledgment of the unpaid workforce which contributes to the work of ALIA (estimated value of over $1 million in the mid-80s).
The group endorsed the 'members first' approach, noting that it means both putting the interests of members before those of non-members, and pursuing the goal of increased membership. Making it very easy to join ALIA would be a significant achievement.
Initiatives a (members first), c (career-long education), g (advocacy resources), m (strategic program for public libraries), n (CPD) and o (online and member-only services) were identified as core priorities (draft plan, summary, p. 2). These six initiatives have significant linkages between them. Their implementation will also contribute to the achievement of related objectives.
A strong message from ACTive ALIA for the NPC and the Board is to choose a set of goals that can be achieved quickly, and reported back to members and potential members.
- Progress since the 2001 NPC
The Group acknowledged the achievements made since the last NPC.
It is suggested that ALIA achievements need to be communicated continually, concisely, and in a 'catchy, up-front' fashion. They should be easy to see, wherever you look in inCite and on the ALIA website, and refreshed often. Efforts should be made to get this information to potential and previous members, as this is considered to be a significant factor in attracting and retaining membership.
- Election of one representative to attend the NPC to be held at ALIA House, Canberra, 1-2 November 2002.
Helen Roberts is nominated as the ACT region representative. (Contact details: helen.roberts@anu.edu.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address) )
Report prepared by Sherrey Quinn, 11 October 2002.
sherrey.quinn@alianet.alia.org.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address), ph 02 6257 9177.
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