ALIA Information Literacy Forum

Meeting minutes

Tuesday 8 June 2004

Minutes by Helen Partridge, 9 June 2004

Present: Mark Jones, Lesley Ngatai, Helena Zobec, Helen Partridge
Apologies: Jane Knowles, Mandy Lupton, Annmaree Lloyd, Cathy Costa, Liz Burke, Lynn Mcintosh

1. Webpage access

Lesley informed the committee that a statement outlining the groups concern over restricted access to the group's website was drafted and sent to Georgina Dale. No response has been received.

2. Newsletter

The first newsletter of the year has been completed. Lesley informed the committee that Jane would be going on maternity leave for twelve months but is still willing to retain the position of newsletter editor.

3. Treasurer update

Lesley informed the committee that Liz has resolved all outstanding issues regarding the group's finances.

4. 2004 Online Forum

Lesley informed the committee that she will speak with Ralph Catts at the Lifelong Learning Conference next week about his role in possibly leading the discussion in the 2002 Online Forum. The committee spoke briefly about what this 'role' would consists of. In short, it was decided that Ralph would be asked to draft a short provocative discussion piece (only a few paragraphs) with a few questions to generate debate (or something similar to this). Ralph would then be requested to participate in the discussion over the two weeks responding where necessary to any comments or questions raised during the duration of the forum. The committee was eager to ensure that the role of 'forum discussion leader' was not perceived as onerous to Ralph (or whoever agrees to take the role on). Lesley wil inform the committee of the outcome of her discussion with Ralph via e-mail.

In case Ralph is not able to participate in the forum Helen will contact several people who were suggested via the QUT Information Literacy Research group. The people suggested are all actively involved in IL research within community.

The idea of linking the forum to Adult Learners Week was considered. For more information on this event. The forum has been linked with this event in the past. The theme this year is Sharing the generations.

Action: Lesley to speak with Ralph Catts at the Lifelong Learning Conference about leading the discussion in the 2004 Online Forum. Lesley will e-mail the group with the outcome of this invitation.

Action: If Ralph is not able to participate in the Online Forum Helen will contact the people suggested at the QUT IL group.

Action: The deal with any issues pertaining to the organising of the online forum the committee has agreed to engage in virtual discussions over the next few weeks via e-mail. The committee also agreed that to have an out of session meeting to arrange the Online Forum is the need arose.

5. Role of the group

The committee briefly discussed the present and future role of the group. A few suggestions were forwarded such as the group being the ALIA advocate for IL with the role to guide ALIA in its actions and endeavours regarding IL; group could foster relationships with key international IL groups in the US, UK and elsewhere in an effort to build up an ALIA (and Australian) presence in this area. The committee agreed that the group should exist and that is serves a role distinctive to ANZIIL. ANZIIL is focused on IL in higher education in contrast the ALIA group could also encompass the workplace and community aspects of IL. Helena suggested that the group should identify four or six things to focus on in raising the group's profile instead of trying to do too much all at once. Lesley raised the point that the group needs to continually ask itself 'what do we give our members?'. The group agreed that both Helena and Lesley made excellent suggestions. Helena suggested revisiting the group's business plan. All members of the committee agreed that this was a good point to start. Helena will forward the latest version she possesses (which may not be the current version) to the group.

Action: Helena to forward the business plan to the committee to consider.

Action: Each member of the committee should try and identify four to six things they believe the group should focus on to raise its profile.

6. Senate Inquiry into Lifelong Learning

Helen informed the committee that there is a Senate Inquiry into Lifelong Learning. The due date for submission is 18 June. The committee agreed that the date for submissions was too soon for the group to respond to however this is the sort of thing that the group could consider contributing to or advising ALIA in their submission. The committee agreed that the URL and information on the inquiry should be sent out via the e-list.

Action: Helena to send out a message about the Senate Inquiry via the e-list.

7. Next meeting

4:00pm 10 August 2004.