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Statement from the president1997 was a year heralding prospective change for the Association. The Strategic review of library co-ordination and representation in Australia, finalised in the first half of the year, indicated a desire on behalf of many of our members for serious consideration of the formation of one peak body representing the library and information sector in Australia. The second part of the year saw this commence, with the adoption of a Memorandum of Understanding between ALIA and the Australian Council of Libraries and Information Services (ACLIS) as the first step. Meetings of the leadership committee resultant from this MoU have continued and the plans towards the peak body have been reported in inCite and on ALIAnet.Such a flurry of activity has been undertaken, as many of us in the provision of our own information services will recognise, while the normal 'show goes on' and these activities of the Association are reported elsewhere in this annual report. It is a tribute to ALIA national office staff and divisional officers that the Association has been able to continue service provision and membership benefits, particularly as there has been considerable activity behind the meetings of the leadership committee. Together with our executive director, I attended the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) conference in Copenhagen on your behalf. This was an impressive gathering of international librarianship and a conference I would recommend that future presidents of our Association endeavour to attend, as it became apparent to me that there is much for us to share and learn with other associations and their memberships. We have been called upon and also taken the opportunity to comment on a number of government inquiries and initiatives. The sound set of principles, which our Association stands by, are exercised in the continuing copyright debate, particularly the importance that the library community places on the concept of fair dealing. As well, the issue of censorship of the Internet is one that is under intense discussion and the Association has a rightful and sensible role to play here in arguing for freedom to read and in offering guidance and assistance where possible. I took what opportunity I could, while winging from Perth to parts east, to visit many of the membership. This included the occasional 'whistle-stop' tour. As others before me have recorded, the enthusiasm of our membership and its drive and commitment are commendable and often quite inspiring. From a personal perspective this was also well-demonstrated in the willing involvement of the members of ALIA General Council, the ALIA Board of Education and our many committees, who participated more formally in the business of the Association. I thank all of you most sincerely for your efforts. It is this goodwill and energy that, I trust, will see us continue to be a vibrant and serious contributor to the future health and wealth of our communities and our nation.
Kerry Smith
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