Victorian ALIA Library Technicians

July-December 2002 report

Committee

Kerrie Kelly (convenor) ; Clare Bristow (deputy convenor) ; Tricia Murray (secretary) ; Alison Kearney (treasurer) ; Libby Brackenridge ; Aranka Folino ; Linda Notley ; Bradley O'Brien

TAFE/University representatives

Box Hill Institute: Sara Clerici (Aug.-Dec.)
Swinburne University of Technology: Colin Chappell
University of Ballarat: currently vacant
Victoria University: Bradley O'Brien (also an elected committee member)

Nominations for the committee were sought in June, and positions were filled unopposed. The new committee began work in July.

The committee met monthly from July to November to plan events and discuss topical library issues. Venues included the State Library of Victoria, Whitehorse Manningham Library, and Deakin University's Burwood Campus Library. Committee meetings are often combined with a library tour, or guest speaker. We welcomed members and non-members, including student librarians. Students are required to attend a meeting of a professional association as a component of their librarianship course.

The confirmed minutes from our meetings are available on our webpage.

Purpose and goals of group (linked to ALIA objects)

1. To promote library technicians within ALIA and the wider information industry
2. To promote ALIA membership amongst library technicians and relevant/interested institutions
3. To provide support for library technicians and students throughout Victoria
4. To provide a variety of CPD events
5. To provide input into the library technicians' courses
6. To act as mentors for newly qualified library technicians, and those returning to the workforce after an absence
7. To act as a conduit for national issues, eg. the new national Training Package

Membership

Numbers have ranged from approximately 95 - 118.

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.

• Techs on tour, 6 July
  Forty delegates from around the state attended our fifth annual day of library tours. This year Techs on tour was based at the University of Melbourne's Baillieu Library. Delegates heard a presentation on the history of the Library and toured the technical services and the reference areas. Lunch was preceded with a presentation from Mike Shuttleworth from the Australian Centre for Youth Literature. Following lunch, delegates had a choice of 3 libraries to visit - the State Library of Victoria, the University's Legal Resource Centre or the Royal Melbourne Hospital Library.
  The success of the day is primarily due to the volunteers who donate their Saturdays by acting as tour guides, baking, cooking and cleaning up afterwards. Plus the great support from library managers.
  This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
• Whitehorse Manningham Library, Box Hill Branch Library tour, 6 August
  The tour preceded the August committee meeting. Group member, Sue Hall organised the visit. Nineteen people attended the meeting and tour. The library generously provided the supper.
  This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
• Job seekers forum, 19 October
  The event was scheduled in the last quarter of the year to help graduating student library technicians and librarians about to enter the workforce. Twenty-seven delegates attended the half day forum at the State Library of Victoria. Clare Bristow and Libby Brackenridge conducted this practical session, covering resumes and interview skills. Margie Anderson of the One Umbrella library recruitment agency provided the latest news on the job market.
  This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 2, 3, 4 and 6.
• End-of-year celebrations, 4 December
  We anticipate that 20 people will be attending the end-of-year celebrations at Bell's Hotel in South Melbourne.
  This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 2 and 3.

Technotes

Our newsletter, Technotes continues to be published quarterly. Issues were published in July and October. 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 deputy convenor, Clare Bristow represented the Victorian group on the National Committee during the reporting period.

This event fulfilled purpose and goal number 7.