National convenor speaks...

When I agreed to become NC some time ago, I did so with mixed emotions. I had been state convenor (then president) of the WA branch in the year 2000 when the national LT Conference was held in Perth, and there was a buzz amongst the ALIA group. Since then the landscape has changed and this should be of no surprise to any one because change is a part of our existence and our work. One needs only to remember the card catalogues of the past compared to the databases of today. As one of those that used to file cards in catalogues, (those of you who haven't have the pleasure are not missing out), I can only relate that the trick was to stay awake and concentrate! And so changes bring challenges for us all. We adapted to new technology as part of our daily lives.

In our library technician organisation we have representation from the best in the market place. I say that emphatically because there are people amongst us who have spent a long time working to get us recognition this far. More than at any other time I have known, these committed members are maintaining what has been done and what is currently being done. But they require support now while they continue to achieve, so that all will benefit. In doing this we will avoid looking back on having the career we chose, reduced in stature during the time we had a chance to shape direction, because of indifference.

But what about indifference? The word means 'no difference'. A strange and unnatural state in which the lines blur between no movement and a falling behind. We cannot lead ourselves into that. As the Nobel Laureate, Elie Wiesel stated, 'indifference can be tempting, more than that, seductive'. It is so much easier to avoid interruptions to our work, spare time. But primarily, indifference, reduces all others to an unrealised potential. Indifference is never creative. Indifference will always lead to being left out of having an impact.

In our community of library technicians and librarians and other information industry workers this may never happen because there are people to ensure that there will always be someone who will do something. So we are represented, and are doing things creatively.

While attending state forums recently I had occasion to discuss the industry with other library professionals. An outcome of these discussions has been that I have become increasingly aware of the change that has come to the profession through the growth of contract work and part time employment structures. People are looking for work and security. Whilst this issue is of concern to all in our profession, it affects how much we are willing to spend on subscriptions such as the one that we are asked to pay to ALIA. It is interesting to note that these two particular issues are ones that an organisation such as ALIA can help with the most. As ALIA goes through structural changes these fundamental issue have been identified a long time ago and continue to be addressed.

While establishing a sense of security is important, a career needs to be a source of satisfaction. Satisfaction comes from our experience and the guidance of our peers. This guidance, I believe makes ALIA more relevant today than ever. While the decline in membership affects the participation of established members, the need to access those who can offer experience is of premium importance now. We have seen that the Mentoring groups that have been established, continue to flourish through the ALIA organisation. EmployLT, a particular service that is close to me, continues to grow strong and develop interest from a wide range of areas. These add-on services are assisted through the Association because it is the logical place for them to be and should give them structure and support to flourish.

The people who run these programs have shown that they benefit new graduates and library industry workers who wish to professionally develop, and continues to offer advanced training and opportunities to the established members as well. Without that commitment we do not thrive as well. For LT's the national commitment is strong, enhanced by the online community in the cyberspace of LIBTEC. In this community we have contributors and identities that colour and strengthen the presence of the LT profession through electronic communication. Sometimes we meet these identities through local events or every two years at conferences, as well as reading them through a continuing contribution to the e-list.

If we can point to identities in our profession that give benefit through commitment to the profession then we are identifying progress. Without doubt, in years past without electronic communication, this national community would have been smaller. One of the most intriguing aspects of library technician's in Australia is that we are one national body. Not one that is divided into interest groups such as public, specials and school LT groups. Again this adds to our presence in the Association.

Therefore I look on my role as national convenor as caretaker for a strong future. A national convenor can not see weakness in the future. When our enthusiasm to develop is sufficient beyond doubt, then we can be certain we will never be under represented. We can not ignore that we are part of a powerful group in the work sphere because of ALIA's overall existence. Membership of ALIA will always contribute to our profession in the larger sense. For those that are concerned with representation issues, it is comforting to know we are big enough to be a presence through ALIA where individuals can make up something big, with credibility.

I hope that in the time that is left before the next conference in Queensland where a new national convenor will be elected, that I will encompass the whole profession when I represent the views of library technicians.

In this process of change I spoke about earlier, there is one thing that remains a constant. There remains an immense reservoir of goodwill. First and most critically, I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as the national convenor by your ballot at the last national AGM. I have not sought this noble responsibility, but I will not shirk it. Those who nominated and confirmed me as national convenor are the state convenors and my friends. The goodwill I speak of is evidenced by the support I received from all areas of our industry at my appointment and when I needed to ask questions on how this was going and how that was done. Moreover it became highly apparent when the proposal for sponsorship for the National Library Technician of the Year award was so very enthusiastically taken up by Edith Cowan University.

Lothar Retzlaff
National LT convenor