Statement from the president

It is customary to start the president's section in any annual report with phrases such as 'it has been a challenging and exciting year', or 'a year of much achievement'. All of these things are true of ALIA for 1999. Important steps were made in the move to a new organisation. At a general meeting in Sydney on 17 August, the members formally approved the repatriation of the Royal Charter, and more importantly, endorsed the move towards a more nimble and responsive Association.

Responsibilities previously discharged by ACLIS, such as copyright, were taken on board by ALIA. The Association appeared before two Senate select committees - one on 'A New Tax System' and one on the Digital Agenda Bill. We helped form the Australian Digital Alliance, a key component in advocating for an Australia which is not divided into the information-rich and the information-poor.

We got a new executive director. The New South Wales pay case (supported by evidence provided by ALIA) provided an objective opinion that the profession of librarianship is undervalued (read: 'underpaid'). We were responsible for six major conferences, and more than 750 events promoting professional improvement and development across the country.

In spite of all these changes, and events, it was something else that happened this year which said much about ALIA, and made me very proud to be a member of the profession. The event was small - and almost unnoticed. It occurred at the general membership meeting in Sydney, when formal approval was given to proceed with the move to an incorporated body.

A long-standing member, Miss Wilma Radford, had come to the meeting to vote on the changes. As we were having a chat, Miss Radford explained that she had also been present at the first meeting of the Association, and that she was pleased that the Association had come this far. At the time, I assumed that Miss Radford must have been referring to the change in the late 1950s from the Australian Institute of Librarians to the Library Association of Australia.

It was only when I realised that Miss Radford was referring to the formation of the original Institute in 1937 that I appreciated the length of service that was involved and was inspired by the level of dedication and commitment that Miss Radford has demonstrated over the years.

As I spoke to Miss Radford, and reflected upon all that she had been involved with and witnessed, I was reminded of what is vital to a professional association. It has been said many times now that 1999 was a year of change, growth and setting the stage for the future. All of this is eminently true, and very important. It is easy to forget that 1999 was also a year of re-affirmation of our values, goals and standing as a professional association of note, and of our long, proud history of standing up for important ideals. As they say in wine-drinking circles, 1999 was a very good year - I highly commend it to you.