ALIA South Australian Library Technicians

SALT Convenor's report for 2003 - 04

This is a review of the year's activities of the South Australian Library Technicians section of ALIA. The committee met on a monthly basis and have successfully planned and held some activities. SALT was represented at functions professionally and socially, contributed articles to InterALIA, Incite and Technique. There were some highlights of the year and also some low points. Suggested plans for 2004 - 05 have been mentioned at meetings.

A topic discussed was the involvement of LIS students, possibly with a project or similar being part of an assignment in their TAFE studies.

At the 2003 AGM a new committee was elected with Amanda Colbert, Treasurer, Angela Jones, Secretary, Marion Fielke Deputy Convenor, Jackie Williams, Committee, Sharron Zuodar, Committee and ALIALibtech E-List Moderator, Kathy Sharrad, Observer, Judith Lethbridge, Observer, Stephen Peacock and Anna Tripodi Industry reps and myself as Convenor.

To the present Committee a sincere thank you for the various contributions made and at all times the willingness to say " I 'll do that" when a task had to be done.

SALT has existed for 25 years and there was a possibility of no new committee being elected, although, according to ALIA's guidelines, a group can exist with a committee of 2.

Did we want to see SALT slowly subside into non-existence? Some of the present Committee has been participating at this level for many years and why should their work and efforts to keep SA Technicians at the fore disappear?

I am proud to be a Technician and didn't want to see the group in this state and with being relevantly free of family commitments I chose to nominate as Convenor, knowing that I would have the support, knowledge, experience and friendship of past Convenors and Committee members. I still occasionally wonder what I have done!

It has been a learning experience both with the processes of ALIA and working with other people within SALT and ALIA SA, and I would encourage anyone to participate at this level.

We met at Left Bank restaurant, but moved to Fasta Pasta for our monthly meetings, where the main business was always the 25th Anniversary of the formation of SALT. As most of us work fulltime I proposed to the Committee that that our skills of project management be employed, and we are on track! Congratulations!

In September a large group of Technicians went to Brisbane for the 2004 Conference and we also came home with some raffle prizes. At the Conference dinner Jackie Williams was presented with her Library Technician of the Year Award.

Following this event, in October, Carol Prey and Ros Emms told us how they organised their Conference presentation so that it was acceptable for the Conference. A behind the scenes look at what was required. The last social event for the year was Christmas at The Chapel, when SALT received the rsvps and many members attended.

There was also held a special meeting to discuss the future of ALIASA and possibly forming one big Library group, SALT had 2 reps to participate. This is now a non-event as the issue has been discussed and finalised.

February 2004, a new year, saw the Committee planning the Anniversary Dinner, Technicians' Day Dinner (NLTD), considering the AGM, plus working on the ALIA Lib Tech student Award. The SALT brochure has been Marion's responsibility.

NLTD was a successful function held at the Bombay Bicycle Club with many participating.

The Student Award is to have an assignment component to be included in a LIS module with Caroline Wood's assistance. LIS has had a slight name change to Library and Information Services and is now under the "umbrella" of Information Technology at AITAFE.

Although 2004 is a non conference year a weekend workshop was not held, as there is only so much that the Committee can do, along with working and life outside of study, families etc. There are plans for next year to attempt to fill the gap.

SALT was represented at the Graduation in May of 3 new Technicians - 2 were prizewinners. Congratulations! At the monthly meetings a report was given if a member participated in a professional event, such as a library tour or the Wagga Wagga weekend.

After each event a report or article was written for the newsletters, InterAlia, Incite and Technique, yet another way to remind the Library world of SALT.

There were 2 very low points in our year - the tragic deaths of John Matthews and Dexter Palmer. To Robyn and Dexter's families our deepest sympathy, and some of us are still coming to terms with these happenings. There also was the passing of some Technicians. On all of these occasions SALT gave flowers and members went to the funerals.

On a happier note, SALT gave birth or rather an Industry rep. did. We now have a baby boy and at the time of writing, all are well. A gift to celebrate the event was purchased and given to the Mum.

Suggested plans for 2005 include a weekend function, perhaps city based, to allow our country colleagues to come. A study of the different library management systems could be considered, which may include library tours. Also holding an event with another group/s could be considered. Plus we may do something just for fun!

In August, the new committee will take on the final details of the big event, the 25thAnniversary. This is to celebrate the forming of SALT and next year will see the 25th Anniversary of the first LIS graduates. Another Dinner!

Since beginning to write this report an exciting discovery has been made. We do not have to hold an AGM. For the few of us who contribute to SALT, the load has been lightened by the possibility of going virtual, and only needing 2 reps. Reporting to ALIA has also changed.

At the June 2004 meeting we discussed this topic at length, and have decided to hold a dinner meeting each term and/or meet when business arises.

A decision was made for the present Committee will continue until Nov./Dec 2004 to finalise the 25th anniversary and then we will recreate SALT into the dinner meetings. Perhaps project management will be used if a workshop etc is to be held. A convenor will be responsible to form a project team for only that particular event. Then the team will disband. It is hoped that by using this method the workload will be shared and enjoyed.

Any one, who is an ALIA Technician member, is welcome to join the "Committee" and I would encourage them to do so. Participation at this level can be a steep learning curve, but is very rewarding. It is also a chance to gain a better understanding of the Association and its workings.

To the new SALT and its committee - "The journey is the reward." - Taoist Saying

Available online: http://www.quoteland.com/topic.asp?CATEGORY_ID=87 [Accessed 19.07.04]

Fairlie Sampson
Convenor 2003 - 04.