 home > groups > active > proactive > 238 > September 2003 |
|||
ACTive ALIAproACTiveNumber 238: September 2003[Renew with ALIA! | PEARLS | Changes to Information Management Programs at UC | Young At Heart | Rest easy, librarians] Renew with ALIA!For those who have forgotten to renew, and for those still to join, there are now more reasons to become an ALIA member than ever before. In an increasingly uncertain job market, with more contract and part-time or casual work, the need to be your own career development officer has never been greater. The ability to keep up to date with the trends and latest developments in the information sector and to have good networks in place is becoming more and more vital. In addition, having access to recent salary figures and work guidelines, competency standards, etc. is also vitally important when negotiating for the next job. Knowing what your skills are worth and being able to demonstrate this to employers puts you in a stronger position to negotiate a salary package. Having a point of contact for industrial and other information is also valuable. E-mail and free Internet access are also available to ACT members. Being an ALIA member provides all of these benefits. For example, comprehensive salary scales are available to members and, even though industrial advice may not be provided for an individual situation, you'll be guided to the best sources of information and help. The copyright service has proved very popular with members. The Continuing Professional Development program provides a mechanism for ensuring you gain new information and skills and thus remain up to date. It also gives you a mechanism for demonstrating this to your existing (and potential) employer: and may assist you with salary increments, appraisals and promotions. Through your membership you are helping to give ALIA greater influence in representing the library information sector. This influence is particularly important in relation to some of the big issues facing libraries and society in general: copyright, censorship, privacy, equity of access to information, and others. So go ahead - renew your membership now, or join up if you haven't already done so!
Helen Roberts PEARLSPEARLS (Previously Employed Australian Retired Librarians) enjoyed a get-together at BOOKPLATE on Monday 11 August. A smaller group than last time savoured the delectable cakes and coffee. Margaret Saville has moved to Sydney since our last meeting and we wish her all the best in her new home. In exchange we welcomed Margaret Lee to our group. Margaret Aston is still unable to drive since breaking her arm a few months ago so we send our best wishes for her full recovery in the near future. We all admired Jon's photos of his two beautiful cats and this led to discussion about the changes in photography over recent years from slides to CDs and images which are transferable from digital camera to computer. We compared card catalogues with the new ones online and were of one mind that it is quicker to consult the cards! It was also noted that many historical papers are not being preserved because of lack of money, space and staff. Maxine has contacted the Retired Members Guild in the UK, who are planning a visit to Australia shortly. As Helen Roberts explains on page 1, ALIA are arranging an opportunity for us to have afternoon tea with the group on 1 October when they visit Canberra. It is likely to be around 3.00 pm, but you will have to ring Yvette Turner on ph 02 6215 8222 a little nearer the date to confirm the time. The last PEARLS gathering for 2003 will be on Monday 13 October. We will meet at 2:30pm in BOOKPLATE in the NLA foyer. Anyone with library connections who has retired (or is about to retire) is welcome to join our informal group to enjoy coffee, cake and conversation. Eileen Mills Changes to Information Management Programs at UCThe University of Canberra has decided not to admit new students into its undergraduate Bachelor of Communication (Information) courses from 2004. These courses include:
This decision will not disadvantage students who are currently enrolled in these courses (or the earlier versions of them, such as the Bachelor of Information Management); they will be able to complete their degree, whether enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis, in substantially the way they would if the courses were to continue. Students in graduate and postgraduate courses in the area, including our Graduate Diploma and Masters in Information Management, will not be affected in any way by this decision. Our programs at this level will continue, and will be further developed and enhanced. The decision has been taken as part of the University's refocussing of its discipline mix and was triggered because the numbers of enrolments into the undergraduate courses were seen not to be viable. While this has been a difficult decision, the good news is that the Division of Communication and Education will remain committed to the Information Management field and will refocus its energies on our several postgraduate courses in the area, including enhancing its offerings through such initiatives as online delivery. Peter Clayton Young At HeartTaking the Pulse of Children's and Young Adult Library Services in the ACT, Southern NSW and Riverina
Saturday, 13 September, 10:00am-3:00pm
Co-ordinators: Judy Brooker and Lynette Sebbens Then Sharing Perfection - 15-minute presentations on excellence in services for young people
(12:00pm-1:00pm: Lunch - Soup and Bread)
(3:00pm-3:30pm: Afternoon tea)
Cost: FREE! Sponsored by Queanbeyan City Library and the ACT Public Library Service. RSVP by Wednesday, 10 September, to Judy Brooker, ph 02 6207 5725 or judy.brooker@act.gov.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address). This event is the first official function of the ALIA ACT Southern NSW and Riverina CYS Group. Please join us to share your experience and discuss your views. Rest easy, librarians
Mr Castellari (Letters August 5) thinks that George Bush is confusing Liberia with Siberia, hence the delay in sending in the troops.
Beryl Hicks |
|
