16 May 2003

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ALIA Local Studies Group (VIC)

Meeting minutes

Friday 16 May 2003, held at the Prahran Mechanics Institute (PMI)

Present

Elaine Craig - Whitehorse Manningham
Paul Michell - Darebin
Linda Favrin - Yarra Melbourne
Vicki Court - Whitehorse Manningham
Robyn Luczyski - Moonee Valley
Anne Burrows - Helen Macpherson Genealogy Centre (State Library)
Gail White - Eastern Regional
Claire Sandell - Casey (Cardinia)

Apologies

Kay Rowan - Port Phillip
Di Foster - Stonnington
Laurie Atkinson - Boroondara

Introduction by Cathy - secretary/librarian - Prahran Mechanics Institute

Note that whilst Cathy is on maternity leave, Tim will be acting librarian.

Established in 1854 one of the first libraries in Melbourne. Its purpose to 'improve people's minds'. The free library in Prahran was established in 1860s and half the collection was transferred there. Soon the mechanics included recreational reading. A decade later the School of Arts was established. Originally located in Chapel St. the PMI eventually moved into its current premises in High St whilst still retaining the Chapel St property which brings in revenue from rent. In 1985 the PMI began specialising in local history of Prahran and then all of Victoria. It is now a centre for 'Victorian and local history' as well as having a continuing general collection. This collection is around 8000 volumes, most of which are available for loan. Over time the general collection will be reduced. PMI holds a number of activities for its members (approx. 500) including a local history kit for library week. It is a subscription library with dues set at $9.00 pa 2004 will be the 150th anniversary and there will be events and exhibitions. They are part of the Stonnington history committee.

PMI uses a simplified DDC. Cataloguing is done three days a week with records being downloaded from Kinetica. However due to its unique collecting habits from local history groups and societies, 20 per cent of the material has to be originally catalogued. There is no automated system for loans. However the catalogue is on line. School histories have been merged into the collection.

Tim described the project he is working on to collect as much information from the various groups around the state. PMI buys all publications it can from these groups (over 300) and provides their info on its database.

Book on the history of PMI:
If these walls could speak: a social history of Mechanics Institutes of Victoria Pam Baragwanath, is available for $55.00.

Other business

Victoria's virtual library for local studies members is on the web via www.libraries.vic.gov.au. There are currently 50 members on the list.
To access - Infonet - organisations - ALIA local studies special interest group.
File of local studies collections has been passed onto Darebin via Paul.
Suggestions for updates - there should be a third file.
New Vic. Marriages (1920-1940) CD-ROM coming out in July. Orders and invoicing can be placed prior 30 June.
Municipal directory is now available on microfiche for $220.00.
Anne Dixon's 'clothing shows/talks' are being done at many libraries. Most found the 'weddings' and 'underwear' very popular. She charges about $100.00 for a session and everyone considers it good value.
Libraries should have links to Prahran Mechanics Institute because of its local history collections.
'My connected communities' - see Vicki's details below.
Sands and Kenny directories on CD-ROM seem expensive for only four years of data.

Around the table

Elaine - Whitehorse Manningham

Due to conversion to Spydus there have been no classes.
At genealogical conference in April many librarians met. There are pictures at the GSV website. www.gsv.org.au
The genealogical list now has around 53 registered people. Some Novell problems for people with Yahoo mail addresses. It will bounce them back. Problem with the Novell software - no immediate solution.

Robyn - Moonee Valley

The 'divorce' of Hume/Moonee Valley is moving along with staff having decided which library service to work for. Some minor hiccups regarding membership files.
'Writers on the Road' series is continuing using writers tom come and discuss their works.
New genealogical list set up using the IT dept.
Various self-help groups for genealogy set up.
Moved to self-booking for the internet. So far no major hassles.

Heather - Yarra Melbourne

Bookmarks established - 'what's new'. This lists new publications for local history subscribers. Planned to e-mail out every two months.
Molesworth St. - condemnation.
Hotham history members - many have received Commonwealth centenary medals
Local history forum - photographic display from the collection.

Paul - Darebin

New manager Katrina Knox is settling in well.
Upgrade of Spydus in about three months to allow for renewals on-line.
Management of local history is to be vested in Bundoora Homestead.
Library is to handle access to the collection. This can be via publications, internet, multimedia.
Funding boost to local history by council. No new person appointed.
About to trial new internet booking system. Customers will be arriving at first available class. No bookings will be taken.

Claire - Casey (Cardinia)

Database work with Db/Textworks. Gateways to collections. 10 groups are involved.
Lord and Lady Casey Collection is being made available via the mechanics institute.
National Trust branch in the region which is a great boon.
Promotion of 'Avenues of honour'.
Volunteer, Bob Sutherland, recording people represented by the 'Avenues of honour'
Berwick Project - 'Art mavericks'. Nearly completed.
My connected community. Website and bonuses for local history groups joining. (See below for Vicki's comments on my connected community. Also special sheet.)

Anne - Helen Macpherson Genealogy Centre - (State Library)

Wodonga - Indigenous family history expo. well-organised and a good venue. Aboriginal genealogical list prepared.
Trying to prepare a similar project for the Chinese.
VAFHO conference - tours and a talk given.
Internet - courses in conjunction with Vicnet.
Immigration Discovery Museum - Kate Bereton.

Gail - Eastern Regional

Julie Bailey leading walk to Farnshaw (site of settlement). 100 people booked.
Genealogical exchange - Kathy Smalley. Meeting every two months, now occurring at all branches.

Linda - Yarra Melbourne

Problems with old Inmagic Database. Problems of importing data.
Fitzroy local history room.
Has been on leave for six weeks and only been back a couple of weeks.
Hosting Ann Dixon's 'beginning family history'.

Vicki - Whitehorse Manningham/RHSV

RHSV grant for a web server. There will be a changed format and a membership database.
Major work is with 'my connected communities' via Vicnet. Hopes to establish 40 communities:
- MC2 for two regions
- Historical societies can set up their own sites (this would mean they could have two locations - one at 'Vicnet~' and the other at 'my connected communities'.
- Sites can be open or closed. Thus giving members full or partial access.
- Workshops are being run by RHSV.

Plan ahead with LSIG -Come to our meetings in August and November!

Next meeting

12 August at Salvation Army Citadel, 69 Bourke St., Melbourne. 2pm RSVP: Linda Favrin, Yarra Melbourne: linaf@yarranet.net.au.nospam ph 03 9201 1540

13 November at Helen Macpherson Genealogy Centre - State Library, Swanston St., Melbourne. 2:00pm

2004 Possible Venues
Dept of Human Resources
Living Museum of the West
Planex in Hallam and Mechanics Institute in Berwick

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