January-December 2004 report

Victorian ALIA Library Technicians

Report for January - December 2005

Committee
Kerrie Kelly (Convenor) ; Bradley O'Brien (Deputy Convenor) ; Margaret Roberts (Secretary) ; Tricia Murray (Treasurer) ; Tania Barry ; Libby Brackenridge ; Clare Bristow ; Kim Gosling (new member July 05) ; Carol Lomas-Fisher ; Linda Notley ; Gail Schmidt (new member July 05) ; Jack Taylor (new member July 05) ; Gemma Willcocks (new member July 05) ; Karen Williamson

Tafe/University representatives

Box Hill Institute
Sara Clerici (resigned Oct. 2005)
Swinburne University of Technology
Jim Mavromatis (January - June 2005)
University of Ballarat
Sian Besselaar (March 2005 - )
Victoria University
Bradley O'Brien (also an elected Committee member)

The Committee met in six times to plan events, and discuss topical library issues. The Committee also held a planning meeting on 4 October to create the 2006 programme.

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. 118 -136.

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

Orientation Day, University of Ballarat, 12 February
Kerrie Kelly was invited to attend the session on Saturday afternoon. She spoke of the work of ALIA and stressed the importance of continuing education.

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 2, and 3.
Mornington Peninsula Library visit, 26 February
Twenty-seven people visited the new Mornington Branch on Saturday 26th February. Chrissie Bonsor, the Branch Librarian outlined the work behind the building of the new library, and also took delegates on a tour. Lunch followed at a nearby hotel.

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Hot off the press: from publisher to library shelf, 18 March
Forty-one delegates attended this day long event that followed the work in technical services. This year we focused on serials, and delegates visited Blackwells Scientific Publishing, Swets Information Services, RMIT or the State Library and Raeco.

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
National Library Technicians Day, 24 May
We had 2 events on the day.

Victoria University visit
Bradley O'Brien, Tricia Murray, Gail Schmidt and Linda Notley participated in the celebrations at the University with approximately 50 library technician students and 4 teaching staff. The Vic. ALIA Library Technician representatives spoke of the role of ALIA, their rich career experiences and of future opportunities for those in the industry. The morning session concluded with a fun quiz based on our library knowledge and the presentation of the outstanding student award to Susan Coffey. The Vic. ALIA Library Technician representatives were guests at lunch in the University's restaurant.

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6.

Dinner
Eighteen people attended the celebratory dinner at the Spaghetti Tree Restaurant in Melbourne.
Discotechs, 27 May
We had plans for a fascinating day of library tours along the west coast, visiting Wyndham Libraries, the Food Science Australia Library and Deakin University's Waterfront Campus Library. Due to limited interest, we have postponed the event until 2006.
Cultural Collections at the University of Melbourne, 7 June
Twelve people attended the presentation from Belinda Nemic, the University's Cultural Collections Officer. She outlined the University's policy and we heard about some of the unique items held. A brief Committee meeting followed.

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Techs on tour, 2 July
Forty-two delegates from around the state attended our eighth annual day of behind-the-scenes library tours. Techs on tour was once again based at the State Library of Victoria. Delegates visited the Collection Management Division, looking at the work in the Acquisitions and Cataloguing areas, touring the public reading rooms, and hearing about the work behind the Changing face of Victoria exhibition. Lunch was optional but most delegates joined us Café Zaleti's. Delegates had a choice of 3 sites to visit - the City Library, the Post Master Gallery, and the Salvation Army Army and Museum.

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

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Annual General Meal and Meeting, 21 July
Fourteen people attended the meeting. We discussed future plans, and called for volunteers to the Committee.

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Pre-conference meeting, 21 August
All Victorian delegates to the neXt Conference were invited to meet for afternoon tea. It provided an opportunity to meet fellow delegates before the Sydney conference. Twelve people attended.

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4.
End of celebrations, 9 December
We expect at least fifteen people to attend the end of year dinner at The Toorak Lion restaurant.

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

'Melbourne - 20 years on...' 2007 National Library & Information Technicians Conference
A group of members from the Victorian ALIA Library Technicians Group submitted a successful bid to hold the 2007 national library technicians conference in Melbourne. The Convenor, Gail Schmidt and the Conference Committee are busily working on the plans.

Technotes
We aim to publish our newsletter, Technotes quarterly. Unfortunately we had to combine one issue, and so Technotes was published in July/October 2004 ; January and April 2005. It continues to be a very successful method of 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 tried to ensure 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 course moderation group
Representatives of the four Victorian library technician training institutions and Kerrie Kelly have met three times to discuss the course delivery and the new training package.

This activity fulfilled Purpose and Goal numbers 3,5 and 7.

National ALIA library technicians group
The Clare Bristow represented the Victorian group on the National Committee during the reporting period.

This event fulfilled Purpose and Goal number 7.

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