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ACTive ALIAproACTiveNumber 260: February 2007[ProACTive Newsletter Survey form | Blogging at the ACT Public Library | AGLIN Training and Development Taskforce and 2007 | LibTech Group commence the year inspired | Riverina Institute wins ABS Excellence Award | Second Life: What IS all the fuss about? Libs for Africa! Join La Trobe University Library in supporting African librarians! | Women recognised with Australia Day awards | Library Lovers Day Breakfast ]
ProACTive Newsletter Survey formThe proACTive editorial team is reviewing its bimonthly e-newsletter. The results of this survey will be used to improve content. Please take a few minutes to fill out this brief survey. Responses can be faxed to (02) 6252 6906, emailed to dianne.walton-sonda@abs.gov.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address) or mailed to: ABS Library, Locked Bag 10, Belconnen ACT2616. Download Survey Form:
Blogging at the ACT Public LibraryThe ACT Public Library has launched its first ever blog. The blog is intended to highlight new or updated library services, resources and events, and will also include reviews of recommended books, and library and literary related information. Booklovers and library lovers alike are encouraged to check in regularly for the latest posts. See http://actpubliclibrary.blogspot.com Opening hoursThe ACT Government is seeking feedback from the community on proposed changes to opening hours for the ACT Public Library branches. Statistics demonstrate there are times when the libraries are not well used. In order to provide library services that continue to be relevant, you are asked to provide feedback on proposed changes via an online survey - visit to access the survey, and for more information go to http://www.tams.act.gov.au/live/libraries. To access the review report that was released in November 2006 providing the background to the proposed changes to library opening hours, see http://www.tams.act.gov.au/data/assets/pdf_file/40468/ACT_Library_Report_tabled.pdf Persian Arts & Crafts ExhibitionsTo celebrate the National Multicultural Festival the ACT Public Library featured two exhibitions of Persian arts and crafts from 5-18 February 2007. The Garden of Persia was on display at Civic Library (Civic Square, London Circuit). Artists from Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, including Soraya Takalou, displayed art works, fine handcrafts and handmade carpets. The Spirit of Persia was on display at the ACT Heritage Library (First Floor of Woden Library, Corinna Street). Seven Australian-Iranian artists - Nasser Palangi, Farideh Zariv, Amin Palangi, Fatemeh Palangi, Sanaz Fotouhi, Mahbod Salahshor, Shahin Azadegan - displayed Persian culture through art works, textiles, clothing, jewellery, illustrations, and script collections from Iran. Margaret HylandManager ACT Public Library Phone: 62075162 Mobile: 0427218831 Fax: 62075008 Email: margaret.hyland@act.gov.au.nospam (please remove '.nospam' from address)
AGLIN Training and Development Taskforce and 2007The Australian Government Library Information Network (AGLIN) Taskforce provide relevant and affordable professional development opportunities. Courses are offered for the common benefit of libraries, and are certainly open to libraries outside the specials sector. To start the year off a small group of government librarians attended 'Facilitating Workplace Learning Course'. If you would like to know more about what is being offered this year go to 'Events' at http://www.nla.gov.au/aglin Facilitating Workplace Learning Course'Designed as an introduction to training for trainers, human resource development professionals, supervisors and people who have responsibilities for developing others in the workplace,' the Facilitating Workplace Learning course organised by AGLIN was attended by seven librarians from six different agencies in Canberra. Caron Egle from Impact Learning and Development conducted this intensive course specifically designed to provide skills in identifying, planning, facilitating and reviewing innovative learning in the workplace. Participants learned about the psychology of learning, the eight learning principles, the kaleidoscope of thinking, neurolinguistic programming, multiple intelligence theory and, of course, session planning, among many other ideas. As this course was competency-based, each librarian had to present a 10-minute training session on day two and a 20-minute training session on day three. Participants were also expected to deliver a short training session sometime in the near future and to submit a third party report on this training. The best part of this course for me was learning why I always looked up and to the right whenever someone asked me a question. So I'd like to tell all those people who wondered why I stopped looking into their eyes and started looking off into space that I was visually constructing my answer and not preparing to tell them an untruth! The course was held over three Tuesdays in February in training rooms provided by the Department of Education, Science and Training in the city. Alexis YeadonU.S. Information Resource Center Office of Public Affairs Embassy of the U.S.A.
LibTech Group commence the year inspiredAs the new convener of the ACT LibTech Group I would like, firstly, to thank the previous committee members who have been forging the way for Canberra Library Technicians. In particular Beth Cleary who has contributed so much over the past years. We will strive to continue their good work in raising the profile of our profession and our value to the world of Libraries and also provide opportunities to gather, not only professionally, but socially to network and keep in touch with our colleagues. I would also like to introduce the members of the new committee.
We held our first official committee planning meeting on 24 January. How inspiring and invigorating it was to be among ones peers who are just oozing enthusiasm and eagerness to dive into the coming year. Among the lively discussion many ideas for activities for the group were tossed around, we even managed to agree on a few of them. This included a special event profiling the Lu Rees Archives which will be presented by Belle Alderman who recently received an Australia day honour (AM) We look forward to sharing this behind the scenes view with many of you. Of course Library Technicians day, 22 May, is on our calendar (as I hope it is yours). We are planning something a little different this year so stay tuned for details on that one. Other planned events include a movie night at Dendy in their premier cinema, a library visit or two and to finish up the year a Christmas dinner event. This year Melbourne is the venue for the Library Technicians Conference and there will be an information sharing forum held in conjunction with AGLIN on our return (so those who couldn't make it to Melbourne don't miss out). In all we are planning what we hope to be an eventful and enjoyable year. We would also like to extend an invitation to all who wish to attend of our events, be they Library techs, librarians, general library staff or just someone you know who has an interest in the world of libraries, you are all welcome. As a new committee we know we have some big shoes to fill, figuratively speaking of course. But we are confident that with your support we are up to the challenge. Please feel free to contact me should you have any enquires regarding the planned activities, ALIA membership or anything else you may think of. Karen MillsInformation Officer University of Canberra ACT 2601 Phone: +61 (0) 2 62012525. Fax: +61 (0) 2 62015068 Email: karen.mills@canberra.edu.au.nospam
Riverina Institute wins ABS Excellence AwardThe TAFE NSW Riverina Institute has won the 2006 ABS Library Extension Program (LEP) Excellence Award. The award recognises and rewards libraries for excellence in raising their community's awareness, understanding and use of ABS information. Award judges were particularly impressed with the Riverina Institute's initiative to provide intranet Quicklinks to ABS regional census data, and collaborative efforts with teaching staff to promote the census process to students. Jennifer Vaughan, Manager of the Institute's Library & Information Services, said "I am particularly excited about winning the award. It validates the way we operate. We have broad horizons and are always about providing equity of access to information. We may be small, but we are professional and I am lucky to work with excellent and very clever people who share a pioneer spirit". The Riverina Library Services team were presented with the award and prize at a ceremony held during the 20:20 Vision TAFE NSW Library Conference in Darling Harbour on 2nd February 2007. The ABS Excellence Award will now be awarded biennially - the call for nominations for the 2008 award will be announced late in 2007. To find out more visit the ABS web site, Services we provide Library Extension Program, LEP Excellence Award.
Second Life: What IS all the fuss about?Kathryn Greenhill, Reference Librarian from Murdoch University in WA, gave an awe-inspiring presentation on the virtual reality web site Second Life at the National Library on 14 February 2007. As well as providing a live demonstration of Second Life, she focussed on the relevance and advantages of this new Web 2.0 technology for librarians. Kathryn is the coordinator of the Australian Library Building on Second Life. With over 3 million registered users, Second Life is a vast digital world of islands, avatars, objects and environments, with a range of individuals, organisations, companies and universities world wide having a presence. So what has it all got to do with libraries? Plenty. There are 9 "islands" on Second Life devoted to libraries and information services, with the Australian library building located on the cybrary city Island. Library services on Second Life are a reflection of library services in reality, including Reference Services, writers' talks, links to external resources, e.g Libraries Australia, and even database trials from the likes of EBSCO. The library services are provided by volunteers and some paid librarians, and organisations such as Sirsi/Dynix and Talis provide sponsorship. There are approximately 400 libraries currently experimenting in Second Life world wide. The interactivity of Second Life enables librarians across the world to network and share information, through instant chat and email. If you want to find out more about Kathryn Greenhill see her blog at http://librariansmatter.com or, if you dare, try Second Life for yourself at http://secondlife.com. Nicole MaherLiaison Librarian Australian Bureau of Statistics Library
Libs for Africa! Join La Trobe University Library in supporting African librarians!Have you seen our promotion for Libs for Africa? http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/africaWe started at La Trobe last December and raised $2,000. The second stage of the project is to invite our library colleagues to share in this fund raising initiative. This is an opportunity not to be missed! The conference is in South Africa, and it would be wonderful to assist as many librarians as possible from the African continent to attend. We are targeting librarians from southern African countries, as travel expenses will be more affordable. i.e. Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia etc. With the support of ALIA, we had a stand at the Online conference and boosted the funding by another $1,055-00. We have a few institutions starting up, the Batchelor Institute for Indigenous Tertiary education NT was the first to take up the challenge and had a morning tea with gold coin donation and raised $340-00. With pledges and cash the total is now $4,731-00 (enough for 7 librarians to attend). All individual and organisation donations will be acknowledged on the Libs for Africa website. ACT libraries can help by taking up a collection, or for other fun fundraising ideas, please visit our website for further information.
Many thanks,
Sharon Karasmanis
Women recognised with Australia Day awardsOne hundred and fifty eight women have been recognised for their contributions to the Australian way of life as part of the Australia Day 2007 Honours List. Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues, the Hon Julie Bishop, congratulated all the award winners, on this significant day for Australians, 'at this time of the year we celebrate the great achievements of all Australians, in particular those who have selflessly dedicated themselves to helping other people,' Minister Bishop said. 'However, I am disappointed in the decline in the number of women nominated this year and remind all Australians to recognise the achievements of women in our communities and to nominate them next year.' The 2007 Honours List recognised the exceptional contribution of several individuals including: Companion (AC) in the General Division of the Order of Australia:
Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
Medal (OAM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
'These worthy recipients of Australia Day Honours deserve to be congratulated for their significant contributions to our country. 'I applaud these women for their exceptional efforts in their fields and particularly thank those who nominated them,' Minister Bishop said. If you want to find out more about the awards and the winners go to http://ofw.facs.gov.au/minister/mediarelease07/250107_australia_awards.htm Released by: Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues - Julie Bishop. Released: 25 January 2007 Library Lovers Day Breakfast14 February 2007 Who was Dante's lover? And what comes next with the quote 'Love is the wisdom of the fool, and the ...' These were some of the challenging questions posed at the inaugural Library Lovers Day breakfast organised by the URLs ACT group on February 14. We met at 7.30am at the Waldorf on London and a crowd of 28 library people from a range of sectors joined together in celebrating our love of libraries (and early morning latte etc)! Sue Hutley, ALIA's Executive Director, gave us a great talk about what she has loved about her first year at ALIA and what she loves about Canberra. She loves meeting members all across the country. Other highlights include being part of the big picture, and meeting influential people and other bigwigs who are able to progress the ALIA vision. Sue loves the fact that she is able to use something from her past experience everyday in her work. One of the things she loves about Canberra (other than the fabulous and invigorating winters!) is that she drives to work every day along Anzac Parade which is one of her favourite streets in all of Australia. Who in Canberra doesn't love Anzac Parade? The love trivia quiz was great fun and was very creatively conducted (and yes, she sang too!) by Nancy Clarke, in her last formal task as a member (and Secretary) of the URLs Committee. After many, many years on the committee, Nancy has stepped down and what a way to go, ... on the wings of a dove (so to speak). Many of the group mentioned that they had organised other Library Lovers Day activities and displays at their own libraries, and all participants left breakfast sporting a heart-shaped sticker proclaiming 'Library Lovers Day'. The URLs group intends to organise a breakfast next year too on 14 February so here is an early invitation (pen it in now!) to join us in celebrating our passion for our work and for our libraries!
Jane Hardy
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