ALIA Board of Directors

My final report covers the meeting held 20 May, the new Board also met the following day. The two main issues from the 20 May meeting were the federal budget report and the review of members engagement.

Federal budget information was provided to members via ALIANews and this budget will have little impact on ALIA or the Library sector. Visit the website for the summary.

The report of the review of member engagement and participation in ALIA, which is part of initiative A from the ALIA 2003-2004 Plan, provided much 'food for thought' and discussion by the Board. A summary of the key issues will be published soon in Incite, a further paper outlining the Board's response and outcomes of this review will be forthcoming.

I attended the AGM on Thursday night and the main agenda item was the motion regarding the future of the Asia Pacific Special Health and Law Librarians conference. The motion was defeated and a second motion encouraging Special Librarians to bring a conference proposal to the Board as soon as possible was passed. The second motion supports the current conference structure, which allows members to submit proposals for conferences as required. The only change from the previous conference structure is that the Asia Pacific Special Health and Law Librarians conference does not occur automatically. The new conference structure provides greater flexibility and the ability to change and adapt to our information needs. The motion only refers to Special Librarians, as ALIA has no jurisdiction over independent organisations such as the Australian Law Librarians' Group. This does not mean that health and law cannot be involved in any future conference proposal. Minutes from the AGM will be available soon on ALIAnet.

I have enjoyed my term on the ALIA Board of Directors but it is time to hand the baton on. I would like to wish all the best to Carol as she joins the Board, and to Imogen during her presidential year.

Deanne Barrett

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