It was wonderful to welcome ALIA Members to the ALIA AGM on the evening of May 30th, with thanks to the National Library of Australia for their generous hosting. The formal proceedings took place in the Ferguson room, followed by an opportunity for library and information professionals to connect over drinks in the Library foyer.
The AGM welcomed in Jane Cowell for her three-year term as ALIA President and Amy Walduck and Nicole Johnston as Board Directors. It also farewelled Vicki Edmunds, the ALIA President and Alissa Sputore and Mary Carroll, ALIA Board Directors 2021-2023. Sincere thanks were extended to Vicki, Mary and Alissa for their work.
Addressing the AGM, Vicki spoke of her pride at the agility and ingenuity of the sector. Reflecting on her presidential theme of diversity she highlighted some key achievements, the establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Expert Advisory Group, the memorable diversity themed National Conference, and the new special interest groups including ALIA Multicultural, ALIA Rainbow, and ALIA Disability. Vicki thanked all those who have supported her presidency, including ALIA Board Directors and staff.
Following Vicki’s address, there was a ceremonial handing over of the message sticks from the outgoing president to the incoming president. In 2020, Wiradjuri/Mardigan man Wayne Martin was commissioned by ALIA to create a message stick which could be handed from one President to the next to symbolise the passing on of knowledge, experience and goodwill from the current Board to the future Board.
The darker stick represents the strength of ALIA and recognises the work of the countless dedicated people who have come before us to build a vibrant library sector in Australia. The second stick represents our way forward and is decorated with images that represent such things as bringing community together, forward movement, safe journeys and dreaming of a better world.
The was a real buzz after the AGM as everyone gathered in the foyer for drinks and networking. The excitement was heightened by the surprise announcement that two ALIA members were awarded the distinction of Fellow of the Australian Library and Information Association. These fellowships were awarded to Aileen Weir and Margarita Moreno in recognition of their years of service to the sector.
Aileen Weir
During her distinguished career Aileen Weir has made a significant contribution to the Library and Information Services profession and services in Australia and internationally. Aileen has held senior roles at the National Library of Australia, and in academic and parliamentary libraries including Manager, Law Library, Australian National University.
Aileen’s work has had a transformative impact on Australian library and information services. Her management, leadership and collaboration in national projects such as the National edeposit service (NED) and Trove have been highly commended by the sector. Her extensive knowledge and capabilities have further been in evidence in her leadership of several major service reviews and her engagement in national discussions to evolve the profession’s approach to library services.
Aileen is a tireless and generous contributor to the sector, volunteering her time and expertise. Aileen’s volunteer positions include ALIA Board Director (2012 - 2016), convenor and member of the ALIA ACT University and Research Librarians Group (2006 - ), member of the ALIA special libraries working group (2016- ) convenor and member of the ACT Law Librarians Group (1999 - 2003), President of the Canadian Library Association Special Libraries Division (1994 - 1995), and ALIA mentor.
Aileen has consistently shared information through her many conference presentations and publications. She actively engages with the next generation of librarians, encouraging them to develop their professional practice and explore ways of creating new librarianship theory and service through support and mentorship.
We congratulate Aileen on becoming a Fellow of ALIA and for her years of leadership, innovation and knowledge-sharing across the sector.
Margarita Moreno
A recognised library leader, Margarita Moreno has made a significant contribution to both the Australian and international library and information services sector, specifically in the area of resource sharing.
Margarita’s distinguished career spans many decades, and includes roles as Assistant Director and Director in the National Library of Australia’s (NLA) Document Supply and Trove sections. Her passion to connect the community to collections and unleash the power of libraries is evident in her professional achievements, including the development of the NLA’s Copies Direct service which enhanced access models for all wishing to access the collection. Margarita was also instrumental in recognising the need for and embedding the practice of digitisation in the document supply process, and in sharing her knowledge with the international community.
Margarita has volunteered her time and expertise generously with the sector. Her incredible commitment to the ALIA Interlibrary Lending Advisory Committee (2005 - 2022) with more than a decade as Chair, included her leadership of the Interlibrary Lending Resource Sharing Code, a truly collaborative and national effort. Margarita also served on the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Member Committee, Document Delivery and Resource Sharing Section (2009 - 2014).
Margarita has been a mentor to many in the sector, has shared her knowledge at conferences and through publications, and has been active in her profession.
We congratulate Margarita on becoming a Fellow of ALIA and for her years of service, collaboration and innovation across the sector.
Images
Top row from L to R:
- Outgoing ALIA President Vicki Edmunds presents Aileen Weir with her Fellowship certificate and citation
- Vicki Edmunds presents Margarita Moreno with her Fellowship certificate and citation
- Ceremonial message sticks
Bottom row from L to R:
- Vicki Edmunds presents the message sticks to incoming President Jane Cowell
- ALIA CEO Cathie Warburton, Vicki Edmunds and ALIA COO Kylie FIddy at the AGM
- Attendees at the post-AGM networking event
