The ALIA National Advisory Congress 2006

Alice Springs Regional Report 2006

1. Attendance:

See signed form

2. Selected representative to attend Perth NAC, 19 September 2006

Name: John Chisholm

3. Celebrating success

There was one success story we all agreed to submit...

Stump the librarian
This year was the first fully Red Centre ALIA networked 'Stump the librarian' competition. Stump the librarian competitions are used to promote libraries and library professionals as efficient and reliable sources for information.

After the Alice Springs Public Library found success in running 'Stump the librarian' through the local ABC radio, during Stuart Brash's breakfast programme in 2004 and 2005, the competition questions were opened out into the Red Centre ALIA network.

Once again 'Stump the librarian' found success with questions coming in from all over the Northern Territory. Many of the questions asked were about local places and history which proved to be very challenging when much of the history of Alice Springs has not been documented. Questions such as - 'Who named Emily and Jessie Gaps?' And, 'The name of the first European to visit Palm Valley?' However, because of the breadth of information housed within our various library sectors, using the ALIA network proved beneficial. Generally someone had at least heard a rumour surrounding the question subject, which at least gave a lead to follow. Many of those leads unfortunately could not be substantiated although the group felt that our answers portrayed librarians for being open minded information hunters and gatherers who will not stop before looking a little deeper in hopes to find that irrefutable answer.

For all answers given, the group was able to provide reliable sources. At the end of the competition, we were deemed un-stumpable!!

4. Planning - achievements in 2006, forward planning for 2007

Ann's discussion points on all Planning matters were taken into consideration. These are points made by the group either in response or as separate discussion points.

Governance and Management
Making the transition to a better structure to enable the Board to achieve its 2 main functions - governance and services to members

• All agreed having an external financial member was a good idea
• There was a general consensus that regular voting was seen as more suitable - once every two years.
• Regarding transition times, it was generally agreed that current ALIA governing members continue in their role until every board member's duties reach termination point. At this point there would be a complete change. This would mean an extra year for some but would probably result a smoother transition.

How to communicate the Board's role in the governance and financial health of the Association

• Communicate via email
• Produce in annual/financial report
• Published on the website
• Some thought an email would be better. Others thought the financial report section of an annual report would be sufficient.
• All agreed communication once a year would be sufficient.

Membership Growth
Group contribution to membership and retention

• Positive feedback on membership packs.
• Preference for membership packs for new employees based on institutional membership. This could be done in conjunction with group membership referred to regarding new agreement of Advert package (namely $1,200 unlimited advertising in New Jobs section in The Australian).
• Discussion also of ongoing ILL memberships

Support and information which could be provided to help groups contribute

• Information packs
• inCite in print. This format was clearly specified as a preference over online. Strong agreement as the main journal used for professional reading and relaxing, giving suggested titles for purchasing, relevant articles based at every level and it was stated as the only professional journal that is read from cover to cover.
• Group support - already happens.

Services and/or activities that you value most as a member

• Forums
• Local networks - very strong in Alice Springs. We have our own distribution list with a high level of communication.
• Back-up is assured between local library workers
• ALIA IR advice on complexities of EBA v new contracts. Has been used and would be highly valued if the position was covered full-times.
• Local network really use these times and meetings to discuss information issues as it is not so prominent in the workplace. Highly valuable.
• inCite in print, also identified
• Filtering service

How would you describe ALIA's value to potential members?

• Tax deductible
• Benefits
• inCite - in print form, as part of the membership
• Qualified professional support eg work level guidelines. HR advice to negotiate someone's position. Salary guidelines for comparison
• Specialist areas of Health/Special/Public libraries
• Policy/legal advice on public access to illegal/sensitive information
• Possibility of further training and professional development
• Online groups keep professionals up to date and connected to current issues
• An example given of recruitment of new graduate to Alice Springs Public library, through the 'New Graduate' online group.

Empowering Groups
How to communicate activities and contributions of groups?

• Email
• inCite
• ALIA and local liaison officer could meet by teleconference (no local liaison officer named for Alice Springs region)
• ALIA website

Strategies to increase participation of members in groups?

• The group was made aware of access to budgets and funding if required
• Special project budgets - proposals would need to be authorised by the Executive Director

Measures to assist group office bearers in their roles

• Requests for special projects budgets. The example of evidence based health librarians was given. This may take up to 12 months to prepare and have assessed
• Advice and support on the above

Education and workforce planning
Members and groups contribution to increasing participation in ALIA's PD program

• Strength in network
• PD can be used as a time to network
• Promoting past and current activities
• Through mail networks - Red Centre ALIA maintain a very active mail network
• One Batchelor Institute library have a Journal and coffee club with their main campus colleagues. This has been successful so far, as the time dedicated is added to a current meeting time. Suggestion made to do the same with Red Centre ALIA, but there was no interest due to the time factor.
• Remote location is an issue
• Cost of travel/freight and time eats into training ability

Education and PD related activities and programs which would bring best value to ALIA's institutional members

• More expo support      - Giveaways
            - Current courses information
            - Handouts           - Technical - (short programs/video/database/oral histories)
• Online training - accredited training provided (Capra Ryan mentioned)
• Use for graduate projected numbers
• Whether we should have a Masters qualification to be a librarian? An in-depth discussion, brought up strong opinions. The main query was made whether it was worth doing the Masters which might result in the same salary levels as is current. What would be the reward? How would it progress as many current professionals are happily sitting on their graduate diplomas? The point was made that over time salaries may increase.
• PD schemes need to be planned better - see below for suggestions.
• Online courses was a popular discussion point
• Packaging training in blocks for easy use so users can make a time. Examples: PDFs/transcripts/ videos/online chat-rooms/ web based courses - as is done currently through universities.
• Use the example of Andrew Booth's evidence-based librarianship online courses
• Low cost
• Click'06 online
• Aurora Scholarship
• ATSILIRN bursary

How could the ALIA PD scheme relate to members' workplace performance or staff development programs?

ALIA would liaise with the PD/HR section of a library's host organisation and advise on relevant PD courses for library workers. The original contact beginning from ALIA to host organisation's HR section and then from HR to the employee, might give the training more credibility and weight; than if the request for training came from the library employee up through its own system. ALIA could use organisational email addresses to contact hosts HR training officer.

5. Local issues

Difficulty of Professional Development in remote areas due to
Cost of distance
Lack of formal opportunity

Formal and informal networks. This is seen as highly positive because of a less competitive nature and more opportunity for involvement.
Small library restrictions. Small staff numbers mean little opportunity to leave library to attend training, PD, networking or meetings.
No training budget
No contact between ALIA and HR. this was previously mentioned, provoking the suggestion of liaison between the two to enhance library specific PD programmes coming via the organisation rather than the employee