Central Australia Regional Group

2011 ALIA Red Centre Alice Springs Regional Group Convener's report

The ALIA Red Centre Group began 2011 with a huge challenge, the need to replace our previous two amazing conveners; Fiona Blackburn, who left Alice Springs to take up an exciting new Library position in Canberra and Melissa Raymond, who decided to take a break from ALIA, albeit temporarily, while she completed her Master of Information Studies. Fiona and Melissa were a dynamic duo; their ideas, energy, enthusiasm, organisational and leadership skills continually inspired our group. I enjoyed taking on the challenge of organising the 2011 meetings, details of which appear below, but I am delighted to report that Melissa has now successfully completed her Master's qualification and is keen to return to the Convener's role in 2012. As I intend to retire during 2012, at least one other member is required to volunteer to share the Convener's role with Melissa, to ensure the successful continuation of our group.

The ALIA Red Centre Alice Springs Regional Group has been operating since 1990, providing vital professional support to our diverse but rich library community. We have a strong history, but really need your support to ensure we have an equally strong future. Please give serious consideration to putting up your hand to volunteer as a committee member, I know you would find it very rewarding, personally as well as professionally!

2011 Meeting highlights. Thanks to everyone who volunteered to host meetings throughout the year, your support was greatly appreciated.

• On Tuesday March 29th, CDU Library hosted an online PD presentation via Skype. Cracked, crazed and delaminating: Preserving the Mountford sound recordings was presented by Peter Kolomitsev, an audio engineer who works at the State Library of South Australia, digitising recordings in their collection. The Charles P Mountford collection comprises 124 shelf metres of journals and films. The collections' cultural significance was recognised in 2008 by UNESCO and covers expeditions from the 1930's to the 1960's and reflects the recording technology of the era, including wax cylinders, discs, reel to reel tapes, cassettes etc. Peter described the process of recording all the audio recordings in digital format, including the need to develop culturally aware processes which involved password protection, signage and correct gender technicians. Thanks to Fiona Blackburn for her initial organisation of this activity.


• Wednesday April 13th, a lunchtime meeting was held at the NT Minerals & Energy InfoCentre at AZRI. Alison Wiercinski, the InfoCentre Librarian, presented an excellent overview of the ALIA Information Online 2011 Conference & Exhibition which she attended in Sydney in February. Alison also explained in detail the services and resources offered by the Minerals and Energy Infocentre. Thanks also to Bid Rose and Margaret Ellis, from the AZRI Primary Industries Library, for hosting those members who were able to stay for lunch and yummy sweet treats.


• May 10th & 11th - Disaster Preparedness and Salvage Techniques Workshop. Melissa Raymond, Marita Thompson and Graham Shaughnessy formed the Alice Springs Disaster and Recovery Group (ASDRaG), under the auspices of the Red Centre ALIA Group, and were successful in gaining a Community Heritage Grant of $6000 from the National Library of Australia to conduct a Library Disaster and Recovery workshop in Alice Springs. Two preservation conservators from Artlab in Adelaide conducted a two day workshop, which was held at the Strehlow Research Centre. Fifteen participants from a cross section of libraries and other related agencies in Alice Springs attended the disaster preparedness and collections salvage sessions.
  
  The aim of the program is to reduce both the likelihood and impact of a disaster affecting collection material and involves four essential elements: prevention, preparation, response and recovery. One of the great benefits from the workshop was the networking and sense of community felt amongst the library community of Alice Springs. ASDRaG is an ongoing group and intends to have regular meetings and workshops; to practice salvage techniques, assist individual libraries in the development of a disaster plan and also to create a community response plan. Thanks to Melissa, Marita and Graham for their excellent organisation of this workshop.


• Thursday July 21st, a lunchtime meeting was held at Olive Pink Botanical Gardens Frances Smith Library, including a fascinating talk by Olive Pink Botanical Gardens Curator, Ben Convery, who explained the background, mission and access to the collection. The Library was established in 1972 by members of the Australian Plants Society, but is now a joint-use collection developed by members of the client groups- OPBG, APS and Alice Springs Field Naturalist Club and managed by a volunteer Librarian. The Library is dedicated to the memory of Frances Smith, a valued member of the APS, who served as Librarian for many years until her death in 2003. Ben spoke of the role local libraries could play in helping to develop the collection, by donating any unwanted relevant materials. Borrowing rights are restricted to OPBG staff, APS and ASFNC members, but the general public can organise on site usage of the collection.


• Wednesday 17th August, an afternoon meeting was held at the Dept of Health Alice Springs Hospital Library, hosted by Health Librarian Sean Petrie. A range of issues were discussed and Sean described the impact the huge hospital rebuilding project will have on the Library space throughout the long construction phase. A detailed brochure was later distributed electronically to all ALIA Red Centre members describing access, membership and services offered by the Health Library.


• A meeting was held at CDU Library on Thursday 15th September and our agenda included an ALIA national update, familiarising ourselves with the PD opportunities offered via the ALIA website and exploring the ALIA eBook Library.


• On the 13th October, Melissa Raymond and Sally Cummings, ALIA NT Committee member and one of the organisers of the 2011 ALIA Top End Symposium, presented a lunchtime report on the highlights of the Top End Symposium. The symposium's theme was "ConNecTing to the Information Future".


• Final Meeting for 2011- An end of year celebration brunch at Cafe Page 27 off the Todd Mall, on Saturday 3rd of December @ 10am.


• First meeting for 2012 @ CDU Library Wed 29th February 5.30pm> 6.30pm
  ALIA Planning for 2012. Be there, be a part of the plan!

Jessie Mahjouri
ALIA Red Centre Group Convener
jessie.mahjouri@cdu.edu.au
November 2011