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ALIA Special Libraries (Vic)Group annual report for 2004Mary Ayling, secretary The group aims to meet the following objects of the association:
Key activities the group held over the past year: Our first function for 2004 was a visit to the newly opened Special Broadcasting Services (SBS Melbourne) radio station and library in February, situated in the newly opened Federation Square, Melbourne. Our visit was only the second visit by a library group and drew 90 visitors. We were given a talk on the history of the radio station and the library; their move to the new location followed by a tour of the radio station - where we were allowed to visit a broadcasting studio. We were shown the journalists' offices where the language of each journalist was displayed above the desk. We were shown around the library and saw the vast array of foreign language records. March 2004 a lunch time visit to the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, business information library, where we were given a tour followed by a talk which outlined the scope and function of this department. The talk provided participants with a broad outline of the type of questions the library can assist with and the costs involved. May 2004 an evening 'happy hour' at Swets Information Services, Melbourne, where the staff spoke about the trends within the publishing industry. The information session covered journals and subscriptions; electronic information sources - databases and subscriptions plus books. July 2004 the newly opened Immigration Museum Library, Melbourne, where we were given a talk on the history of the historic Customs House which now houses the Immigration library and museum. The talk covered the concept of an Immigration Museum Library, the collection of the resources, the refurbishment of the building and the design of the library and its bookcases. We were shown the immigration database where visitors could search for immigrants using surname, name of ship etc. This was followed by a tour of the library where members could either talk, browse the shelves or search the database. August 2004 a visit to The Philanthropy Australia Inc. and their library, Melbourne, where we were given a talk on the work of the organisation and how many wealthy patrons provide funds which are given to worthy causes without any publicity being recorded in the media at all. This Australian model of giving was compared with the American model where giving funds is big business which is usually accompanied with huge amounts of publicity for both the giver and receiver. October 2004 a visit to the Australian Red Cross information and research service, Melbourne. where we were given a talk on the history of the International Red Cross Organisation and its counterpart The Red Crescent (name used in non-christian countries). The Australian Red Cross Organisation and its importance to Australian community life - where it provided an opportunity for members of the community to come together and work for others; for example, to support those either fighting or those caught up in the fighting with knitted items, funds which were used to supply medical items or where members of the organisation could give of their time to pack goods for overseas destinations. We heard about the Constitution of the International Red Cross and the changes which the organisation was facing in 2004 regarding governance and transparency; how the organisation recruits volunteers and the work which they perform and the problems which they face. November 2004 a joint end of year function was arranged with ALIA Victoria with members from both groups able to attend and met colleagues at The Melbourne Athenaeum Library. Group communications:
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