July-December 2003 report

..to the ALIA Board of Directors

Committee

Kerrie Kelly (convenor) ; Bradley O'Brien (deputy convenor) ; Tricia murray (secretary) ; Alison Kearney (treasurer) ; Tania Barry ; Libby Brackenridge ; Clare Bristow : Aranka Folino ; Linda Jowsey ; Linda Notley ; Margaret Roberts

TAFE/university representatives
Box Hill Institute: Sara Clerici

University of Ballarat: Birgitte Lamb

Victoria University: Bradley O'Brien (also an elected committee member)

Nominations for the committee were sought in June, and positions were filled unopposed during our AGM on 30 July.

Due to the National Library Technicians Conference in September, our committee meetings have been via e-mail. A draft of our 2004 timetable was circulated and a proposal budget reviewed.

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 training package review

Membership

As of October 2003, we have 138 members.

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, 5 July
Fifty delegates from around the state attended our sixth annual day of behind-the-scenes library tours. Due to limited space in the work areas, we restricted the number of delegates to fifty. Unfortunately we had to return a number of cheques and refuse applications because we reached the limit. Their names have been added to next year's mailing list for brochures.

Techs on tour was once again based at the State Library of Victoria. Delegates visited the newly renovated dome reading room, the pictures collection and the collection preservation area. Our pre-lunch speaker was Dr Angela Bridgland and her topic was Continuing professional development and the importance of ALIA. Lunch was optional but most delegates joined us in the library's staff room. In the afternoon, delegates had a choice of three libraries to visit - the Athenaeum Library, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image or the Supreme Court Library.

The success of the day is primarily due to the volunteers who donate their Saturdays by acting as tour guides, cooks and kitchen hands. Plus the great support from library managers.

This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Annual General Meeting, 30 July
Fourteen people attended the meeting and we discussed plans for 2004.

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Pre-conference meeting, 31 August
Eight people came along to afternoon tea at a coffee shop on the banks of the Yarra River. The informal meeting provided an opportunity for Brisbane delegate to meet prior to the conference. We thought this was particularly important for delegates attending alone.

This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Post conference meeting, 28 October
Approximately forty people attended the Post conference meeting at Box Hill Institute. The audience included student library technicians, teaching staff and Brisbane conference delegates. A number of speakers outlined the Conference highlights, and the experience of presenting papers. All stressed the importance of continuing professional development and encouraged the audience to consider attending the NeXt Conference in Sydney in 2005.

This event fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4.
End-of-year celebrations, 4 December
We anticipate that 20 people will be attending the end-of-year celebrations at the Cricket Club Hotel in South Melbourne. A committee meeting will be held prior to the dinner.

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 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 method of 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 web page 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 continued with the course co-ordinator.

This activity fulfilled purpose and goal numbers 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.

Library and information studies consultative group

Representatives of the Victorian library technician training institutions and Kerrie Kelly met to discuss the course. The consultative group will continue to meet 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

Clare Bristow represented the Victorian group on the national committee during the reporting period.

Clare was also the national deputy convenor for a few months until September 2003.

This activity fulfilled purpose and goal number 7.

A a