Statement from the president

In the life of any dynamic organisation, and particularly a membership organisation such as ALIA, each year brings its own successes and challenges. ALIA's programs, shaped in part by its groups and managed by National Office, have been supported enthusiastically. There are now more than sixty self-nominating groups that provide programs of activities and events that directly meet the needs of their members and colleagues. New groups have been established in order to realise specific programs, groups have combined and enlarged their membership and groups have disbanded themselves as their programs have come to an end or the pool of members to support them has diminished. The key characteristic of the groups remains their flexibility to determine their own purpose and programs within the contexts of ALIA's Objects. Two key conferences, ALIA2002 and Information Online, have enabled members to explore issues that have a significant impact on the world in which we live, work and play. The themes explored in these two conferences are interdependent and each conference focused on them through its own lens. In the case of ALIA2002 the lens was the social, cultural, economic and technological trends that shape the environment of information practice and in the case of Information Online the lens was the convergence of technologies that shape information practice.

Of course ALIA's programs are also shaped by its Objects and it is the Objects that give purpose and direction to the Association. Throughout the year there has been intense advocacy on a number of issues that have a significant impact on the institutions and organisation that provide library and information services and that employ many ALIA members or contract their services. Among these issues has been the pay equity case in NSW, the Senate Committee Inquiry into the Role of Libraries in an Online Environment and the review of Broadcasting Services Act. ALIA's stance on these issues reflects the Objects which are the foundation of the Association.

ALIA's Objects also enable us to develop partnerships with similar associations and organisations. Some of the partnerships that have emerged during the year are the Regional Cultural Alliance that is concerned with cultural development in Australia's regions and the Australian Coalition for Cultural Diversity which is advocating in Australia and internationally on trade agreements to ensure the preservation, maintenance and development of all forms of Australian cultural forms and expression. ALIA is exploring a number of matters with the Archives Society of Australia and Museums Australia. As ALIA's LISEKA project unfolds and the directions of ALIA's approach to education and training are clarified it is likely that some of these partnerships will intensify and new alliances will develop. We have much to learn from each other about ensuring that information is accessible to those who need to use it.

ALIA's programs are a reflection of the vitality of our Association. But as we move through a period where the very fundamentals of member organisations are changing. We need to take a step back so that we can articulate longer-term goals and develop appropriate strategies for reaching them. The National Policy Congress (NPC) is a key element in determining the future directions of ALIA. The Congress has now developed a modus operandi that meets the objective of engaging as many members as possible in discussions about the future of our Association. Now that the NPC has developed an approach that appears to meet the needs and expectations of our members the discussion and resolution of ALIA's proposed 2010 plan is very timely.

ALIA is well positioned as one of the leading professional associations in the information and cultural sectors. It is the members of ALIA, individually and collectively, who determine how effectively ALIA functions in that role. This remains the ultimate challenge for ALIA, its Board of Directors and for us all. Having met many members throughout the year and represented ALIA in many activities I am confident that our Association will continue to evolve as a dynamic and self sustaining organisation well equipped to respond to its personal and institutional members and to shape the environment in which library and information services are provided.

Joyce Kirk, ALIA president