January-June 2003 report

Committee

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

TAFE/University representatives

Box Hill Institute: Sara Clerici Swinburne
University of Technology: Vacant for the reporting period
University of Ballarat: Vacant for the reporting period
Victoria University: Bradley O'Brien (also an elected committee member)

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. 121 - 136.

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.

Mornington Peninsula Library Rosebud Branch visit, 22 February
Seventeen delegates attended the morning tour of the library and a mini-workshop on marketing. We received great support from the Library's CEO Alison Katona, Val Smith (Rosebud Branch librarian) Anne-Marie Raymond (marketing strategist) and Mary Whtye from the Hastings Branch. Lunch followed at the nearby Rosebud Hotel.
This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Yarra Plenty Library Corporation, Mill Park Branch tour, 6 March
Eight people attended the combined committee meeting and tour of one of the newest libraries in Melbourne.
This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 2, 3, and 4.
Techs on tour, Ballarat style, 29 March
Thirty eight people attended the afternoon of tours. We met at the University of Ballarat SMT Campus for lunch generously sponsored by Resource Options. Delegates then toured the Public Record Office, the Ballarat Mechanics' Institute and the Australian Catholic University Aquinas Campus Library. Kim Fraumano from the Australian Catholic University and Kathleen Lakey, the library and information course co-ordinator at the University of Ballarat, were instrumental in organising the day. Kim also organised a dinner in the evening. Five Melbourne committee members took part in the tours, and three attended the dinner and stayed overnight in Ballarat.
This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Canberra visit, 23-24 April
Eight Victorians and twelve NSW delegates attended this joint event. Over the two days delegates visited the National Library of Australia, Noel Butlin Archives (Australian National University) and the High Court Library. Delegates also saw presentations on copyright and industrial issues at ALIA National Office. We joined a number of local ACT ALIA Library Technicians for dinner on 23 April. Drinks were generously provided by Raeco.
This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Matheson Library, Monash University, 6 May
Ten people attended the combined committee meeting and tour of the Rare Books Collection at the Library. The group saw some of the treasures in the collection and was taken behind the scenes into the workroom.
This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 2, 3, and 4.
we had 2 events on the day.
- Victoria University visit
  Linda Notley, Tricia Murray, Brad O'Brien and Kerrie Kelly participated in the celebrations at the University with approximately 50 library technician students and 4 teaching staff. Linda, Brad, and Tricia spoke of their work in libraries and staff development. Kerrie outlined the work of ALIA and promoted the Group's events. She also presented the ALIA Most Outstanding Student Award (Victoria University) to Barbara de Blank. The morning session concluded with a fun quiz based on our library knowledge. Linda, Tricia, Brad and Kerrie were guests at lunch in the University's restaurant.
  This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.
- Dinner
  Thirteen people attended the celebratory dinner at the Glenferrie Hotel in Hawthorn. Those attending included many committee members, 2 library technician lecturers, members and three Raeco representatives.
  This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.

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.

Library and Information Studies consultative group

Representatives of the Victorian library technician training institutions and Kerrie Kelly met to discuss the course review. The consultative group will continue to meet regularly to enable the sharing of ideas between the four library technician training institutions.

This activity fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 3 and 5.

National ALIA library technicians group

The deputy convenor, Clare Bristow represented the Victorian group on the National Committee during the reporting period. Clare is also the deputy convenor of the National Group.

This event fulfilled purpose and goal number 7.

Jackie Williams
SA Library Technician's Group
2003-2003 convenor

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