ALIA Far North Coast Regional Group (NSW)

Richmond-Tweed regional library central headquarters + bookmobile, goonellabah

Welcome by Martin Field (manager, RTRL)

Present: Lainey Furness (Secretary), Cathie Nilon (e-list coordinator), Martin Field, Judith Field, Louise Somerville, Des Stewart, Glenda Kimmins, Sue Harrison (visitor), Michael Riddle and Jill English (RTRL mobile library operators)

Apologies: Jennifer Kirton (convenor), Robyn Murray (treasurer), Wanda Gianatti, Sue Charik, Leanne Goodwin, Katherine Wilk, Pauline Leeson

Minutes of last meeting: 6:00pm 17 November 2005. Nightcap Café TAFE Wollongbar

Acceptance of Minutes: Moved: Martin Field Seconded: Judith Field Carried

Business arising from the minutes: none

Treasurer's report: in the absence of Robyn Murray (treasurer). No report

Correspondence
In:
E-mail from ALIA requesting Annual Report 2005 and Activities and Budget Program for 2006. (deadline 27 February 2006)

Out:
E-mail from secretary to ALIA with attachments: annual report 2005 and activities and budget program for 2006.

agenda items:
Welcome and introductions to visitor (and prospective new member), Sue Harrison who has recently commenced a Library degree through Charles Sturt University.

Demonstration/tour of RTRL mobile library (bookmobile) conducted by RTRL Manager, Martin Field, and Mobile Library Operators Michael Riddle and Jill English.

Martin welcomed the group and introduced Michael Riddle (lib tech) and Jill English (lib asst), 2 of the 3 Mobile Library Operators (Warwick Jones, lib asst was not present). Martin gave us some facts and figures and the history of the RTRL mobile library service. We then watched a very interesting DVD produced by Warwick Jones on the construction of the current Bookmobile trailer. We enjoyed the presentation very much and appreciate Michael and Jill giving their time to demonstrate the features and operation of the Bookmobile. Michael has written a great poem on libraries which is reproduced after the end of these Minutes. Thanks also to Martin and the RTRL staff for their generous hospitality and for providing us with drinks and delicious fruit and cheese platters and other assorted nibbles. It was a very pleasant and interesting event.

Some RTRL Bookmobile Facts & Figures

• 28 April 1980 Service commenced (7.2 m pantechnicon) Stock: 2950 items
• Sept 1994 Change to semi-trailer.
• Sept 1996 November 2002 New prime mover. Needs to be replaced after 130000km - expected to be in 2007 (anticipated cost: $100000+)
• Aug 2005 Trailer replaced. Double axle. 4 x 14 wheels ($430000)

Trailer Details:

• Size (internal): 14.33 (l) x 2.3 (w) x 2.875 (h) Overall size: 17.0 (l) x 2.46 (w) x 4.2 (h).
• Weight: 23.5 tonnes. Prime mover: 5540 kg Trailer (unladen) 14500kg
• Fuel/month: Vehicle: 1120 litres Generator: 200 litres
• Features: automatic door, 2 air cons, photocopier, radio/CD player, 2 public PCs with internet, security devices, online circulation terminal, mobile phone, OPAC, separate staff area (fridge, sink, toilet), loading door and disabled lift at rear

Staff: 1 Lib Tech (FT 70hrs/fnight); 2 Lib Assistants (PT 14.5hrs; 4.0hrs/fnight) 88.5 hrs/fnight
Current stock: 8800 (print + non-print materials). Rotated regularly.
Annual use 2004/05: 21016
Loans 2004/05: 36285

Coverage: 34000km a year. Week 1: 600km Week 2: 760km Total: 1360km/fnight
The Mobile Library regularly visits the following locations:
Check dates and times with RTRL. 02 6625 1415 or your nearest branch
Hours open: Week 1: 19.5 hrs week 2: 23.0 hrs Total: 42.5 hrs/fnight

Visits: 3 weekly, 15 fortnightly (Total: 21/fnight). 7 schools use this service.

• Ballina LGA: 4 stops 4.75 hrs/fnight
• Byron LGA: 4 stops 8.75 hrs/fnight
• Lismore LGA: 4 stops 14.5 hrs/fnight
• Tweed LGA: 6 stops 14.75 hrs/fnight
• Each Thursday: Nimbin (Neighbourhood Centre)
• Each Friday: Pottsville (Neighbourhood Centre)
• Each Saturday: Bangalow (School)
• Twice a month: check dates and times with RTRL

Bilambil Hts (Shops); Bogangar; Burringbar (Shops); Clunes (School); Dunoon (School); Empire Vale (School); Federal (Store); Fingal Head (Store); Ocean Shores; Modanville (School); Suffolk Park (Shops); Teven/Tintenbar (School); Tyalgum (School); Wardell (School); Wollongbar (Shopping Centre)

Bookmobile demonstration for northern members?
Unfortunately, because of travel times and garaging requirements at Lismore, it is not possible to hold a similar tour of the Bookmobile at a northern location for our northern members. These members are most welcome to visit the Bookmobile whenever it is in their area and Mobile Library operator, Michael Riddle will be happy to give an informal tour.
Contact RTRL for times and dates: 02 6625 1415 or your nearest branch

Des Stewart's appointment as Southern Cross University Librarian: Congratulations.

ALIA members warmly congratulated Des on his recent appointment as University Librarian at Southern Cross University. Des has been acting in this position since the retirement of the previous University Librarian, Alison Ransome in 2005. Des brings a wealth of knowledge, skills, and experience to this important and challenging position.

Prior to working at SCU, Des was the Librarian at NSW Agriculture (now NSW Department of Primary Industries) at Wollongbar for 12 years. As he did at NSWAg, Des has contributed a great deal to the advancement of library services at SCU as he progressed through the positions of SCU Network Services Librarian, User Services Manager, and Library Services Manager.

Des has been a member of ALIA since 1980 and an active member of our FNC Group since 1984. ALIANSWFNC greatly appreciates Des's contribution to the profession through his work, and in his roles as Regional Councillor, Secretary, and President (3 times) of the ALIANSWFNC Group. We join in wishing Des all the best for a rewarding future.

Next meeting: 6:00pm 20 June 2006 Nightcap Café TAFE Wollongbar

Meeting closed: 7.30 pm

My library by Michael Riddle
(reproduced with permission)

My library means a lot to me,
They let me take home books for free.
In three weeks or less, I'm back again,
Come wind or hail or sun or rain.
Exchanging them for something new,
I may take ten, or just a few.

My library's got all sorts of books,
Some for reading; some for looks.
Some help me with my homework too ...
I always have so much to do!
The Reference Section's such a blast,
I do my homework very fast.

My library's staff are very nice,
They find you things in just a trice.
The catalogue's a funny green,
You type your query on the screen.
And, presto, without an invocation,
It lists the books and their location!

My library's up to date, no sweat,
They've even got the Internet!
PCs to use if you're inclined
And CDs that really blow your mind.
There are videos upon the shelf,
Just go up and help yourself.

My library's special for my Nan,
She reads the Large Print if she can.
But when her eyes get really crook,
She listens to a Talking Book.
What's more, because she is housebound,
They even bring her books around!

My library doesn't just stay still,
They have this great big Bookmobile.
Around the countryside it tours,
Stopping off at village stores,
And village schools along the way.
You must be quick, it doesn't stay!

My library is a special place,
It's cut off from the hectic pace
Of commerce and the race for wealth.
Libraries are good for people's health.
They're yours, they're free, they're cool, they're fun ...
Libraries are good for everyone!

Afterthought:

My library's funded by the rates,
With just a little from the states.
The politicians up on high
Must fund our libraries or they'll die!
So don't forget to let them know
That LIBRARIES are the way to go!

Thanks to Michael for this fun poem - it seems to cover everything that Public Libraries do.