CPD column

There is a plethora of CPD activities on offer in September. The third week of September is practically as busy as Library and Information Week with the South West Forum on the weekend, the Australian Copyright Council seminars, a Kinetica Web course, the annual New Norcia Library Lecture and four functions with Phil Teece run by WALGLA, ARL, WA Forum/KISWA, and WAGLIN. One hopes that Phil will still have a voice at the end of it. Thanks must go to Cheryl Hamill for starting the ball rolling on Phil's first visit to WA since 1998.

In the ALIA planning cycle now is the time to start considering what activities to run next year as group budgets are due in November. If you have any suggestions or wish to volunteer for the CPD committee please e-mail me at ctpeters@myrealbox.com.

There are currently 7 ALIA groups in WA: WA Forum, Kiswa, Library Technicians, Local Studies, Mentoring Program, Academic and Research Libraries, and Geraldton Mid-West Regional Group. <soapbox mode> At least half of these groups are having problems getting office-bearers so the demise of some local groups is likely. This means that there will be fewer activities organised and fewer CPD opportunities. Last year there were four people on the CPD committee (not counting the CPD co-ordinator) while this year there is one. This has a significant impact on the number and nature of events that we can organise, especially as there are fewer people in WA Forum to call on for help.

If you don't care about having local ALIA groups, CPD activities, a local newsletter, or contributing to your profession then continue doing nothing. If you do care, consider nominating yourself for WA Forum convenor, WA Forum secretary, CPD committee, WALTG convenor, KISWA committee, or other currently vacant positions. </soapbox mode>

Camille Peters
CPD co-ordinator

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