Minutes of the meeting 12 February 2002

Public Libraries Division, State Library Queensland, West End.
The session commenced with nibblies etc, and a informative tour of PLD, which gave an overview of the activities and work flow process.

The meeting opened at 6:00pm.
Present
Denise O'Shea, Noleeen Eyles, Robyn Mattner, Andrea Turner, Pye Blak, Gayleen McCallum, Jodie Powderly, Anne Collins, Elaine West, Helen Trochoulias, Anne Stewart, Sue Sawyer, Jane O"Brien, Susan de Kinderen, Anita Healy, Lyn Bogaarts, Lorelei Sellwood, Jen Parker, Jo-Anne Dusha, Robyn Lather, Janine Murray, Kristine Ross, Marion Moyle. Veronika Petkovich, Simon Farley, Zoe Todd, Kellie Myatt, Patrice Burke, Anna Johnson, Judy Wythes, Michelle Tester, Karren Pickering, Sharon Paterson.
Apologies
Yvonne Brock, Maxine Cole, Helen Turnbull, Denise Cadman and Kerry Warman.
Minutes of previous general meeting
Marian read the minutes of the previous meeting which were accepted by Jo-Anne Dusha and seconded by Jane O'Brien.
Business arising from minutes
There was no business arising from minutes.
Correspondence
There was no inward or outward correspondence.
Business arising from correspondence
There was no business arising from correspondence.
Treasurer's report
Jennifer advised that the balance is $zero: as all funds were sent to ALIA. Jennifer explained that we put in budgets; justify the expenditure, and then we are reimbursed by ALIA.
Reports
Marian advised that she had been to the National Policy Conference in December. There were 72 groups represented by technicians and librarians from a wide range of libraries. The major issue was conferences: which has been the topic of numerous e-mails coming through the ALIA lists. Library Technicians are well-organised: the 2003 conference will still go ahead. ALIA National Conferences will be held bi-annually; and in the intermediate years there will now be joint mega-conference. The downside is that technicians may miss out, with most organisations giving priority to attendances by librarians. Marian has a copy of the draft.
General/other business
There was no other business.
Storytelling for all ages.
Bernadette Franzoni conducted this storytelling session. She is a library technician at PLD and has worked there for 6 years. She started in the Young Peoples Section; and went out periodically to country libraries to deliver storytelling sessions. Bernadette then decided to draw up a package to assist country libraries to conduct their own sessions. The session was very informative and humorous: during this time as she showed overheads and related her experiences.

Some of the information she relayed to us included:

Rules of storytelling:
- Have fun
- Forget about being adult
- Choose stories you enjoy: get involved in the story
- Relax... (use innovations: eg: footprints on the floor leading to the meeting room)
- Make sure you know your story
- Location, location, location: choose area carefully: ensure no distractions/interruptions
- Practice, practice, practice
- Check all props and puppets (learn to improvise if something does go wrong)
- Know your audience
- Do not patronise them
- Pitch your story at the right age group: can go up on storyline but don't talk down
- Organise storytelling environment
- Beware of distractions (phones, other clients): warn staff, put up signs, 'storytelling in progress''
- Connect with the audience
- Set a realistic timetable: 'short and sweet' for little ones
- 'Wrigglers and jigglers': introduce activities to break session to stop fidgeting etc.
- Audience participation: give clear instructions to your audience on what's expected of them: get their trust
How to learn stories
- Sequence method: learn the repetitions eg: three pigs, the old woman who swallowed a fly... Also give ownership to the group, include names of their school, park river etc.
- Story Web: neurolinguistic: using left and right brain, map out story in mind
- Retelling: repeating back story
- Taping method: video or tape yourself telling a story: useful tool to evaluate yourself (cut out the 'umm', monotones etc)
Starting and ending sessions
- Use puppets and props (check they are all at hand)
- Music: has a calming effect
- Stamps and stickers for children to take home
- Use games to warm up/relax.
Other tips:
- Involve parents: two reasons: they can interrupt sessions with background gossip, and also they can motivate their child by discussing the story they have heard etc.
- Note the meaning of words in different countries/cultures: they may not be understood or offend.
- Avoid old fashioned terms which children may not understand, or find irrelevant.
- Remember: create your own style: storytellers are unique individuals, self-styled free spirits.
Marian thanked Bernadette for her interesting session, and presented her with a small gift.

Next meetings
The next executive meeting will be held on 12 March at the Jazzy Cat, West End at 5:30pm.
13 April 2002: Mystery Bus Tour: details to be advised.

The meeting closed at 7:35pm.

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