January-June 2002 report

Committee

Kerrie Kelly (convenor), Tricia Murray (secretary), Aranka Folino (treasurer), Sandra Axford, Libby Brackenridge, Clare Bristow, Alison Kearney, Dawn Keleher, Linda Notley, Pippa Read (Jan-March 2002).

TAFE/University representatives

Box Hill Institute: (vacant for the reporting period)
Swinburne University of Technology: Colin Chappell (Feb to the present); Katherine Parker (Feb-May)
University of Ballarat: Nadine Gardner
Victoria University: Bradley O'Brien (Nov. 2001 to the present)

The committee met monthly from February to June to plan events, and discuss topical library issues. Committee meetings are often combined with a library tour, or guest speaker.

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

Membership

Numbers have ranged from approx. 95 to 123.

Activities

The topics and venues have been varied, and they were all very successful. Events have attracted library technicians, librarians, library students and other library staff.

Australian Women's Archive presentation, 13 February
The presentation followed the first committee meeting of the year at the State Library of Victoria. Patricia ni Ivor and Anne Heywood outlined the project and those attending had a chance to examine the website in the library's PC training room. Sixteen people attended the meeting.
This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 2, 3, and 4.
Deakin University Waterfront Campus Library (Geelong) visit, 12 March
The tour preceded the March committee meeting. Pippa Read organised the visit. Eleven people attended the meeting and tour.
This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 2, 3, and 4.
River of Opportunities II, Albury workshop, 20 - 21 April
The workshop was jointly organised by the ACT, NSW and Victorian ALIA library technician groups. Fifty-one delegates attended, and judging by the evaluation forms it was very successful.
This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 2, 3, and 4.
International library staff exchanges presentation from Barbara Lerch, 7 May
Barbara Lerch is on an exchange from the University of New Hampshire to the Borchardt Library, LaTrobe University. Barbara outlined the details of the exchange, and provided delegates with a bibliography of useful resources. The presentation preceded the May Committee meeting. Eleven people attended the presentation.
This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 2, 3, and 4.
Graduation ceremony, Box Hill Institute, 17 May
The convenor, Kerrie Kelly was invited to the ceremony to present the ALIA Most Outstanding Student award (Box Hill Institute) to John Campbell.
This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 6.
National Library Technicians Day, 21 May
We had 3 events on the day.
- Victoria University visit
  Dawn Keleher, Tricia Murray, Brad O'Brien and Kerrie Kelly participated in the celebrations at the University with approximately 45 library technician students and 4 teaching staff. Dawn and Tricia spoke of their work in libraries and staff development. Kerrie outlined the work of ALIA. She also presented the ALIA Most Outstanding Student Award (Victoria University) to Rose McLeod. The final part of the celebrations was some fun with a quiz based on our library knowledge.
  This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.
- Internet workshop
  Gail Schmidt presented a half day workshop based on the package created by Lothar Retzlaff. Nineteen delegates registered to attend the workshop at the State Library of Victoria. Judging by the comments, it was very successful.
  This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 2, 3, 4 and 6.
- Dinner
  Sixteen people attended the celebratory dinner at the Glenferrie Hotel in Hawthorn. Those attending included many committee members, a library technician lecturer, internet workshop delegates and two Raeco representatives.
  This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 6.
Annual General Meeting and Elections, 21 June
We didn't attain a quorum. Eight members and two observers attended the meeting.
Nominations were sought one month before the AGM, through our newsletter Technotes and via the discussion list, Libtec. The following nominations were received and were elected unopposed:
Kerrie Kelly (convenor)
Clare Bristow (deputy convenor)
Tricia Murray (secretary)
Alison Kearney (treasurer)
Committee members: Libby Brackenridge ; Aranka Folino ; Linda Jowsey ; Linda Notley ; Bradley O'Brien

After many years working on the committee, Sandra Axford and Dawn Keleher decided not to re-nominate. Aranka Folino retired as treasurer and was congratulated on her years of commitment in that role. She continues as a committee member.

Technotes

Our newsletter, Technotes continues to be published quarterly. Issues were published in January and April. It continues to be a very successful tool for keeping members informed of the latest news, especially those in country areas. It is also a useful tool for promoting the Group's activities and ALIA membership.

The newsletter fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Communications

We have ensured that our webpage was kept up to date, and that Incite was informed of our events. Details appeared in the events column.

Correspondence

Our informal network has continued between interstate ALIA library technician committees. Information on meetings, plans, workshops and general news has been exchanged. Communication continues with the Victorian ALIA Library schools group, and we hope to hold occasional joint events.

University of Ballarat Industry Advisory Committee

The convenor, Kerrie Kelly is a member of the Industry Advisory Committee. It hasn't met during the reporting period but e-mail contact continues with the course co-ordinator.

This activity fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.

National ALIA library technicians group

The convenor, Kerrie Kelly represented the Victorian group on the National Committee during the reporting period.

This event fulfilled purpose and goal number 7.

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