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Membership1996 saw an increase of 1.8% in total membership of the Association, with a slight change in the demographics of membership categories. A 2.9% increase in the personal member category was experienced in 1996, along with an increase of 1.6% in the institutional member category, resulting in a combined membership of these two categories of 7429 members. Reflecting a trend toward the movement of voucher-only membership to full institutional membership, the voucher-only category sustained a decrease of 8.0% to 670 members. Overall, membership of the Association increased from 7959 in 1995 to 8099 members in 1996.The Mobile Libraries special interest group was formally dissolved at the July 1996 meeting of ALIA General Council. However the Association continues to be well-represented by 11 special interest groups. The November 1996 meeting of ALIA General Council formally reinstated the Public Libraries section (national group) and dissolved the Education for the Library and Information Services section (NSW). Sections remaining active include Acquisitions, Cataloguers, Children's and Youth Services, Health Libraries, Information Science, Library Technicians, Local Studies, Public Libraries, Reference and Information Services, School Libraries, Special Libraries, Technical and Further Education, and University, College and Research Libraries. Highlighting the breadth and variety of interests of ALIA members, 110 divisions of the Association were active in 1996. Installation of new database software into the existing computer systems of ALIA National Office commenced in late 1996. When fully-implemented, the new database will provide enhanced reporting mechanisms enabling divisions to identify membership trends and to thus maximise opportunities for member recruitment and retention. Education and trainingIn 1996 achievements were made in continuing professional development, and the higher education and vocational education and training sectors. The self-paced professional development courses offered in conjunction with Edith Cowan University proved very popular, with members from all states and territories, in urban and rural areas, taking advantage of both print and electronic delivery formats.With the introduction of Certificate III and Diploma courses based on the national curriculum in library and information studies, the Association confirmed that graduates of a recognised Diploma course were eligible for library technician membership. The Association also worked with the Local Government Industry Training Company to develop a traineeship in library and information studies at the Certificate II level. The traineeship was accredited in December as the first traineeship specific to this sector and will enable trainees to meet entry requirements for the Certificate III course. Topics covered at the October pre-conference meeting of ALIA Board of Education members with educators and practitioners included: teacher librarian education for the future, practical placements from the perspective of the student, educator and supporting practitioner, opportunities for collaboration, assessment of recognition of prior learning, and attitudes of school-leavers towards libraries. Those attending were very supportive of the opportunity the Association provides through these annual meetings for networking, discussing topical issues, and exchanging information. Kay Poustie, chair of the board since 1993, retired after completing six years with the Board. ALIA General Council endorsed the revised Education policy statements which had been amended to strengthen reference to lifelong learning and to incorporate changes brought about through the national training agenda. The revised policy statement on the Role of librarians and library technicians was also endorsed by ALIA General Council. 1996 saw a number of changes to the industry training advisory body (ITAB) which represents the library and information services sector. At the beginning of the year Arts Training Australia, which covered the library and information sector, amalgamated with the Recreation ITAB to form the Culture and Recreation Education and Training Enterprise. The Association was a member of the national board. In November there was agreement by federal, state and territory ministers that the new ITAB cease at the end of 1996 and that a new ITAB, Culture Research Education and Training Enterprise be established. The Association is a member of the interim board for the new ITAB. The Association was successful in securing funding from the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs to develop a strategy for recognition of prior learning at Library Industry Competency Levels A-D. Models suitable for on-the-job and off-the-job training environments have been trialled. Industrial relationsThe year was again one of change in Australian employment. Election of a federal Coalition government in March saw new legislative proposals cast a shadow across the industrial relations landscape throughout the remainder of 1996. With passage of the Workplace Relations Act in November, a new framework for labour law was put in place. It is certain to guarantee further change to established practices in 1997 and beyond.During the year, it became clear that a two-tiered labour market has developed across Australia. Part-time, casual and contract arrangements are replacing standard roles, and working time is polarised between those working very long hours and those who are underemployed and would like more work. Annual wage increases across all industries averaged 6 per cent in registered agreements, with wide diversity between sectors. The industrial experience of ALIA members reflected these trends. The dominant feature of the labour market experience of members was its diversity. In the public sector generally, there was concern about a dearth of job opopportunities. The threats to members' security in these areas came less from their identity as librarians than from their location in parts of industry where policies for wholesale labour shedding were applied to all workers. Conversely, some employment agencies specialising in library placements, reported significantly increased private sector demand for library professionals, especially to fill short-term positions. Against this background, the Association's industrial and workplace assistance program was well-used by members throughout 1996. Librarians in special and sole-person library and information services particularly sought direct help from the Association. In these cases, we were often able to assist members and their organisations to develop suitable conditions packages as the basis for employment contracts. It is quite clear that many employers are as appreciative of this role as are individual members. In more highly-regulated sectors, the Association was able to provide useful strategic advice for individuals and groups and in several instances worked effectively in co-operation with trade unions to achieve benefits for members. The ALIA National Office took part in or conducted functions for ALIA divisions in many locations, including Armidale, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Sydney, Townsville and Rockhampton. Articles and papers on labour issues were regularly made available through inCite, the Australian Library Journal and elsewhere, and a major paper on Australia's changing industrial relations system was presented at ALIA's Biennial Conference. In the ALIA National Office, a new enterprise flexibility agreement was drafted and negotiated with staff. It was approved by Commissioner Larkin of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in August, making ALIA one of very few Australian organisations to have successfully finalised successive agreements of this type. AwardsIn 1996 a number of national Association awards were presented.The Redmond Barry award recognising outstanding service to libraries and librarianship by a person ineligible for professional membership of the Association and not employed in a library was awarded to the Hon Barry Jones AO. Barry Jones was also awarded honoury membership of the Association. Fellowships were awarded to Angela Bridgland from Victoria, Frederick Charles (Andy) Exon from Western Australia, Eugenie Greig from New South Wales and Joyce Kirk, also from New South Wales, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the field of library and information science. The ALIA Manager of the Year award was awarded to Clare Body. The Study Grant Award was presented to Heather Fisher for her project American and Canadian children's and young adult reading programmes. The Metcalfe Medallion, which recognises an outstanding piece of work by a library and information studies student enrolled in an entry-level course, was awarded to Michael Cooper for his essay Total quality management in library and information science. The HCL Anderson, the Ellinor Archer and Library Technician of the Year awards were not presented in 1996. Publishing1996 saw several changes in the design and management of inCite. The very popular Events and ALIAppointments sections, which previously had been printed as inserts, returned to the body of the magazine in January, a move which was welcomed by the readership. The move to full-colour production throughout the entire magazine was completed in July, coinciding with the special State Libraries feature. Full-colour production has allowed greater scope for the design and layout of inCite as well as offering advertisers the opportunity to stand out from the crowd. From June 1996 the Webb's web column, Events and selected ALIAppointments from each issue have been posted on the Internet via ALIAnet.The Australian Library Journal was published quarterly in 1996, under the stewardship of a new editor, John Levett. A review of the direction and content of ALJ was carried out early in 1996, with the intent of producing a more contemporary edition of the Journal by 1997. Minor changes were made to production processes in readiness for the 'new-look' edition. Apart from the regular material produced and delivered to all ALIA members, a number of new publications were printed, some of which have attracted considerable interest. In 1996 the ALIA National Office published:
Vital Link: a contact list of ALIA office bearers
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