ALIA South Australian Library Technicians

July-December 2001 report

Over the last six months the South Australian Library Technicians group (SALT) have been evaluating how it has operated over the year and tried to determine how it will operate over the coming year. The aim of SALT has always been to provide activities and a forum for its members that would allow the profession to be promoted while also expanding the employability of our members. This is a goal we hope to continue in 2002.

Activities

While an open invitation was extended to all library staff to attend either or both of the pre or post-conference meetings, in relation to the Library Technician's Conference in Tasmania, no-one took up our offer. The committee still held these sessions and a lot was gained by the committee members in these discussions.

During November a dinner was held to end the year. It was a very casual affair with approximately twenty-seven people attending. The committee decided not to offer anything else at the dinner such as speakers and found that those members that attended appreciated a dinner where they could network and reminisce with other technicians. We found this a great way to meet new technicians and to encourage non-members to attend our activities and maybe join the association.

No other sessions were offered by the committee as we felt we needed to work on developing a plan for what activities we would offer and present next year. So far we have had one extensive meeting on this with further meeting to be held in December.

Budget

SALT has not spent the budget it was allocated for the previous six months. We found the budget process for the last six months to be confusing and it took awhile to adjust to. It was originally thought the budget was for a twelve month period, not a six month period. As a result, the expected costs for the last six months have not been incurred but neither has the expected income been generated.

Formulating the next twelve months budget has been just as much a learning experience. Especially as we have had to estimate costs for events to be held next year because we have not yet held all our meetings to fully develop the activities and calculate all the costs involved. There was also concern that we were formulating a budget and activity plan for a six month period that would effect the new committee to be elected in June. As a result of the new budget planning requirements, I am expecting the next years new committee will need to begin their planning for 2003 in July or August. This is a major change for the operation of the group.

Overall the last six months have been a new and trying experience for the group, as I expect it has been for the whole association. Trying to get people together to formulate budgets and gather previous submissions for this six monthly report has proved to be a trying task. I am expecting however, the forth coming year to be smoother sailing and hopefully more beneficial for all.

Sharron Zuodar