July-December 2001 report

2001-2 Committee: Convenor/Technotes editor: Kerrie Kelly, ph 03 8664 7131, kkelly@slv.vic.gov.au; Secretary: Tricia Murray, ph (RMIT library) 03 9925 2063, patricia.murray@rmit.edu.au; Treasurer: Aranka Folino (University of Melbourne), ph 03 9344 5375 , aranka@lib.unimelb.edu.au

Committee members: Sandra Axford, State Library of Victoria, 03 8664 7131, saxford@slv.vic.gov.au; Libby Brackenridge, Deakin University Burwood Campus Library, eab@deakin.edu.au; Clare Bristow, Deakin University Burwood Campus Library, rees@deakin.edu.au; Alison Kearney, Account Services Manager, EBSCO Australia Subscription Services, akearney@ebsco.com; Dawn Keleher, La Trobe University, Borchardt Library, 03 9479 2930, d.keleher@latrobe.edu.au; Linda Notley, State Library of Victoria, lnotley@slv.vic.gov.au; Philippa Read, Deakin University, Waterfront Campus Library, readp@deakin.edu.au

TAFE/University representatives: Box Hill Institute: John Campbell and James Foster (students); University of Ballarat: Nadine Gardner (Course co-ordinator); Victoria University: Bradley O'Brien (student)

Purpose and goals of group (linked to ALIA objects): To promote library technicians within ALIA and the wider information industry; To promote ALIA membership amongst library technicians and relevant/interested institutions; To provide support for library technicians and students throughout Victoria; To provide a variety of CPD events; To provide input into the library technicians' courses; To act as mentors for newly-qualified library technicians, and those returning to the workforce after an absence; To act as a conduit for national issues, eg. the new national Training Package

Annual General Meeting/elections 22 June
We held our AGM to coincide with the change to the membership year of ALIA. This was held at the Pumphouse Hotel, Fitzroy. Approximately 20 people attended the dinner, and after the meal, we held elections for members of the committee.

To fulfill Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 3, and 4, we decided to invite representation from all four library technicians' schools. Representatives from Box Hill Institute, and the University of Ballarat joined us in July. In November, we welcomed a representative from Victoria University. Unfortunately we don't have a representative from Swinburne University of Technology, and we will follow this up in the new year.

Committee meetings
The Committee meets monthly to plan events, and discuss topical issues. Venues have included the State Library of Victoria, RMIT University, and Deakin University. We advertise the meetings, and welcome observers.

Techs on Tour 7 July 2001
As usual this proved to be a very popular event, and some requests to attend had to be refused. Approximately 50 people attended. It is particularly well attended by student library technicians, many travelling from country/regional areas. This full day event included tours at the State Library of Victoria, a presentation on modern commercial publishing, and a choice of three special libraries to visit in the afternoon. Delegates chose from the CPA Library, the InfoZone at the Melbourne Museum and the Victorian Parliamentary Library. Lunch was an optional extra that was attended by most delegates. It provided a great opportunity to network.

A great team of volunteers ensured that the day was very successful, and the feedback forms enforced our success. We made a modest profit of approximately $75.

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 2, 3, and 4.

Pre Conference afternoon tea for Victorian delegates, 5 August
This was primarily a social event, to help delegates become acquainted before the Hobart conference. We met at a coffee shop in Lygon Street Carlton, and those attending paid for themselves.

Post National Library Technicians Conference meeting, 17 October
In April, we held an essay competition to provide some funding to enable a student library technician to attend the Hobart Conference. As a requirement of the Grant, our winner John Campbell gave a presentation on the Hobart conference. The venue was the Box Hill Institute, and approximately 30 student library technicians, lecturers, members, and RAECO representatives attended. It was an excellent presentation, and John took the opportunity to promote ALIA membership. We provided membership forms, and the latest issue of our newsletter Technotes. The only costs were for a light supper, $25.37.

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Annual visit to the staff and students at the University of Ballarat, SMB campus, Ballarat, Saturday 27 October
This is our fifth visit to the staff and students at the University. Committee members John Campbell, Tricia Murray, Linda Notley and Kerrie Kelly attended. This year our topic was the National Library Technicians Conference in Hobart. John Campbell, our Grant winner, presented his successful paper again, and the remaining committee members discussed ALIA and the Conference. Approximately 25 students, and 3 staff members attended the afternoon meeting. We once again promoted ALIA membership, and provided membership forms. We also brought along copies of the latest issue of our newsletter Technotes. Dinner was organised by the staff, and we stayed overnight in Ballarat.

Funding of $611.96 was approved for the visit. As there were only 4 people attending, we decided not to hire a mini-bus, and so there were considerable savings. We spent $185 on accommodation and petrol costs.

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 2, 3, and 4.

End-of-year celebrations 30th November
The final gathering for this year is an end-of-year dinner. This is primarily a social event, to celebrate a very successful year for our group.

Technotes
Since 1997 the Group has been publishing a newsletter, Technotes. It is published quarterly in January, April, July and October. The newsletter includes topical news, details of our programme, information on ALIA, and a summary of Libtec discussions. A regular feature is an interview with an overseas library technician. Technotes is very popular, and has provided a link for country/regional members. It is also a very useful promotional tool for potential new members.

We decided to utilise the savings from the University of Ballarat trip to fund a special colour issue for the October issue. We printed 150 copies at a cost of $320. Other issues were within budget.

The newsletter fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Contacts/representation
ALIA Schools Victoria
We regularly exchange minutes and agendas with the Schools Group.

Participation fulfills Purpose and Goal number 1.

National ALIA Library Technicians
Kerrie Kelly represents the Victorian LT Group on the National Committee. She was also Secretary of the National Committee from August 1999 to September 2001.

Participation fulfills Purpose and Goal number 1.

Victorian ALIA Mentoring Group
Kerrie Kelly is in contact with the Mentoring Group, and encourages participation by graduating library technicians at the Tafes/Universities.

Participation fulfills Purpose and Goal numbers 3 and 6.

University of Ballarat Industry Advisory Committee
Kerrie Kelly represents the Victorian LT Group on the Committee. She attends 2 meetings per year. Recently she also participated in the Advisory Committee's "Reframing the future" project.

Participation fulfills Purpose and Goal numbers 3, and 5.

Box Hill Institute Industry Advisory Committee
Kerrie Kelly was recently been invited to represent the Victorian LT Group. The Box Hill Industry Advisory Committee is yet to meet.

Participation will fulfill Purpose and Goal numbers 3, and 5.

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