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ACTive ALIAproACTiveNumber 244: June 2004[NLA and that Royal Event... | Kippax library | ALIA AGM, 20 May 2004 | ALIA Board of Directors | Professional Perspectives | ALIA New Graduates Group | ACT Library Technicians | LTOY 2004!] NLA and that Royal Event...If you visited the National Library early on the morning of Friday 14 May an unusual sight would have greeted you! The National Library Social Club celebrated the wedding of Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik to Australia's Mary Donaldson in style. And what style! There was a truly amazing range of tiaras and check shorts (worn at the 'Tassie cousins' table). Over 40 people celebrated from 7:30am with a traditional Danish breakfast. We even started with a wedding ceremony of a bride and groom from Document Supply in full ceremonial clothes… The feast moved from hard-boiled eggs and bread to sliced tomatoes, salami and magnificent breads, then to Danish pastries and a special Danish cake. And of course in addition to coffee and juice we all tried Gammel Schnapps, a herb-based invigorating drink. There was even a little more serious side to the jollification, an occasion to celebrate not only the closer relationship between Denmark and Australia but also with the Danish Library Association - they have since been in touch and we have sent our best wishes and photographs. This was an unusual event, but it proved that library staff enjoy a good celebration and have a great sense of humour. So, if anyone wants to borrow flashing or fluffy tiaras, just contact the NLA Social Club! Roxanne Missingham
Kippax LibraryChief minister Jon Stanhope unveiled a model and plans for the new Kippax Library on 12 May. Kippax Library has been housed in a small temporary building since 1978. The new building, at 800m2, will be more than three times the size of the old one. The ACT Government has committed $3.5 million for this library, with a further $220 000 to increase the size of the library's collection. Construction will begin in August 2004, for completion mid-2005. Four public meetings have been held since November 2003 to enable the local community to see the progress of the design, to contribute ideas and to discuss issues with the architect. The model is in the Kippax shopping centre. See the Chief Minister's press release. [Word doc] Sherrey Quinn
ALIA AGM, 20 May 2004President Christine Mackenzie's report took the theme 'Celebrating success'. Christine spoke of a 'fluid and nimble' organisation, the vision for ALIA outlined in the strategic document ALIA towards 2010, and the projects that have come to fruition: REAP (Research Exchange and Partnership), LISEKA (now known as the ALIA Education Framework), the appointment of local liaison officers in most states, establishment of the New Graduates group, and ALIA CIPS, Co-operative Information Purchasing Services. Silver ALIA pins, awarded for five terms of service on ALIA group committees (or sections, SIGs, divisions, branches), were presented to Georgina Dale, Gillian Hallam, Ross Harvey, Meredith Martinelli and Ros Membrey. Jennefer Nicholson commended the Annual Report to members - it was distributed in inCite. Among the motions under general business was one 'to encourage Special Librarians to bring forward full proposals for their next conference to the ALIA Board as soon as possible'. It was carried unanimously. Sherrey Quinn
ALIA Board of DirectorsI have recently been fortunate enough to be elected to the ALIA Board of Directors. Having just attended my first meeting I thought I would share some thoughts with ACT colleagues. The new Board is a very interesting contrast to the old General Council. Although Board members represent the general membership and not specific groups or regions, we have a remarkable diversity of home cities, sectors and professional groups sitting round the table. The Board is taking a very broad and inclusive view of development in the profession and the association, and shows enormous passion and good sense in doing so. The account of the meeting given in inCite and on the web shows that the association's initiatives-particularly in relation to education and research-are tremendous. Jennefer and her team should be congratulated for all that they have achieved in the past, from copyright to course recognition, and from lobbying and advocacy to member advice. Significant issues remain, to make sure that librarians and library technicians are aware of the work being undertaken by the association and also to communicate with groups and current members. While these issues will always be with us, I think that ALIA over the next year will be able to consider and deliver support to groups in a new way. I would like to thank all of you who volunteer and support the association-it is members who make the difference. We are now working towards a revitalisation of group and member activities, to further develop the next generation of librarians while supporting a strong and successful set of activities for all current professionals and paraprofessionals in the industry. Roxanne Missingham
Professional PerspectivesThe University of Canberra (UC) offers its Professional Perspectives Lectures each semester, presenting an insight into career directions for students. This semester Alex Byrne spoke on 'The politics of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)'. Alex is a UC graduate, ALIA President-elect 2003-2005 and he will be President of IFLA in 2005-2007. Promoted by the United Nations and its agencies and sponsored by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Geneva Summit was an opportunity to question global issues resulting from widespread use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the growth of the information economy. Summit stakeholders included governments, international governmental agencies, civil society (non government organisation (NGOs) and transnational social movement (TSMOs)) and business entities (for example, Microsoft). Alex explained that the first phase of the Summit was focused towards the adoption of a Declaration of Principles and Action Plan. A second phase is planned for Tunis in November 2005 and will be directed towards implementing the Action Plan. Commencing with a reference to Manuel Castells' The information age: economy, society and culture, Alex delivered a lecture that took a positive approach to what is an obviously difficult and sensitive undertaking. Alex reflected on the transition to a service-based society and the subsequent increase in emphasis on literacy. Australia has become a significant information-based economy, exemplifying the global trend of developed nations and also the aspirations of the developing world. He explained that IFLA strove during the Summit to highlight the sector's concerns, including freedom of access to information and the digital divide. Although technocratic in its outlook, and reflecting what appears to have been difficult discussions on Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the WSIS Declaration of Principles was agreed. Alex stated that IFLA sought and achieved inclusion of high-level issues in the Declaration and Action Plan including recognition of the important roles played by libraries, archives and information services. Members of the information profession are in it because they aim to help and foster society. Alex's address broadened this aim, encouraging the audience to think more globally. Further information is available from WSIS and IFLA. Melanie Rogers (please remove '.nospam' from address)
ALIA New Graduates GroupACT co-ordinator wantedAre you a newly-qualified librarian or library technician, who now find yourself out in the big wide world of the library and information profession? Or are you a student just about to embark on your career? If it's 'yes' to either question, then the New Graduates Group (NGG) is for you! The NGG is an initiative of the ALIA New Generation Policy and Advisory Group, set up in 2003 to assist in the transition from student to being an active member of the library and information profession. It aims to be a support network to help new graduates and students through these early stages. The ALIA New Graduates Group is seeking someone who would like to be the Group Regional Co-ordinator for the ACT. We aim to build a group from around Australia who are there to bounce ideas off, to collaborate with other ALIA groups, events and activities happening around Australia, to provide ideas and suggestions, and to help with the development of content for the NGG website. The group communicates via an e-list.
If you are interested, contact: ACT Library TechniciansSeven Canberrans took part at the beginning of May in the weekend workshop Rivers of Opportunities III at Wagga Wagga. Organised by the Victorian Technicians, and with other delegates from NSW and even one from Darwin, it was a weekend of learning, experience, variety, networking and rain. The papers showed the variety of work that technicians are involved in: an occupational, health and safety officer in a university library, a technician in a busy Sydney girls high school, surviving when a company starts to close down its libraries, and using audiovisual equipment to meet university needs. During the weekend there were visits to Charles Sturt University Library (with a bit of wine and cheese tasting afterwards), and to the Wagga Wagga City Library, with the Regional Library and the bookmobile. Technicians together always have fun, so of course there was a dinner and dancing to all hours. It was hard to get up the next day for a story-time breakfast at 8:30am (one tech even turned up in his PJs) but it was all worth it. The weekend concluded with presentations from the National Library's Multicultural Documentary Heritage Project, the latest from Raeco and updates on the next conference in Sydney September 2005. Looking forward to Rivers of Opportunities IV-but WHERE?! Beth Clary
LTOY 2004!Nominations are still open for the ALIA Library Technician of the Year 2004, proudly sponsored by Edith Cowan University. This award promotes the role of library technicians in library and information science, as well as the role and image of the library technician. Nominees must be a personal member of the Library Technicians Group and hold an LT qualification recognised by ALIA. Nominees may be judged on their contribution to the advancement of library technicians, journal publications and/or conference papers, or personal achievement in the development of library and information services or development within the Association.
For more information, go to http://www.alia.org.au/awards/merit/library.technician/
Tania Barry
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