Statement from the president

John Shipp
ALIA president 1998

What a challenging year 1998 proved to be for ALIA. As with any part of life, there were highs and lows but in general it was an exhilarating time and we came through with flying colours. This was testimony to the dedication and hard work of the membership, local presence co-ordinators and the staff of ALIA National Office. The strength and vitality of this partnership will ensure the future success of the Association.

Much of my energies were devoted to the creation of a new peak body to represent the Australian library and information community. This was at times a frustrating endeavour, and although there was clear support for a single organisation, settling some details was complicated and uninvigorating.

I am confident that during 1999, ALIA will set in place the foundations for a new peak body which will meet the expectations of its members. I have no doubt that the emergent organisation will prove dynamic and flexible to meet the challenges ahead. These challenges will be multi-faceted: strategies developed to meet one issue may seem to jeopardise others. This will be particularly relevant to the dichotomy between direct services to members and activities which develop the role and function of the association.

Having been president of both ALIA and the Council of Australian University Librarians, I am conscious of the importance of lobbying, promotion and strategic alliances. These are activities which often do not bear results until long into the future. We cannot afford to neglect them. During 1998, ALIA put considerable effort into discussing with other library associations the reciprocal recognition of qualifications. This will have long-term advantages for ALIA members as greater use of the internet internationalises the economy and the workplace. Attention was given also to lobbying political parties, particularly on the issue of the goods and services tax. Monitoring of the GST and providing advice on its implementation will continue during 1999.

I was honoured to have had the opportunity to be president and pay tribute to the wonderful support I received from members of General Council, the Board of Education, Branch presidents and the membership at large. I would also like to recognise the unfailing support received from staff in the ALIA National Office who work so hard on behalf of the membership.

In particular, I greatly appreciated the contribution made by Virginia Walsh, the executive director. The Association is in strong financial and organisational health due to the stewardship provided by Virginia. Throughout her period as executive director, Virginia devoted herself to ensuring that ALIA prospered as an organisation so that it could provide the most effective services to its members and represented them in the best possible way. I am grateful for her contribution to the development of ALIA as an association and I wish her every future success.

Appointing a new executive director, and progressing the creation of a new peak body for the Australian library and information community, will be important objectives for the Association in 1999. I hope that I will be able to continue to contribute as I move into the shadowy position of past president.