ALIA Queensland Branch

2000 president's report

It gives me much pleasure to present the president's report for 2000. Yet again, we have had a very busy year.

In March, a number of objectives were set for the Division, including:

• Contributing to the debate on the ALIA restructure
• Restructuring the branch in accordance with the national model
• Improving networking opportunities for members
• Providing a coordinated training and development program

In reviewing our year, I believe many of these objectives have been achieved.

Restructure of ALIA
Firstly the issue of ALIA restructure. I must say that at the beginning of 2000 there was some degree of uncertainty of what lay ahead of us. At that time we imagined that the restructure would occur within the year 2000 calendar year. As you are aware it hasn't. In fact, that is a topic for discussion later this meeting. The delay in implementing the new structure has, however, given all members the opportunity to contribute to the debate and decision making process.

Queensland members have had the opportunity to contribute to the debate on a number of occasions:

• An Extraordinary General Meeting was held on the 29 February to discuss the options presented - feedback on the models was provided to the Board of Directors
• In May, the inaugural National Policy Congress was held in Canberra. Queensland was well represented: Naida Tattersall (Board of Directors), Paul Jensen (Cataloguers), Christine Bendle (North Queensland), Helen Laurelin (Specials), Anne Spelman (CYSS) and myself (Queensland Branch President)
• A debriefing on the outcomes of the NPC was facilitated by Vicki McDonald and Anne Spelman [CYSS representative]. Approximately 15 people attended this session and comments from members were then forwarded to Naida Tattersall [to be presented to the Board of Directors].
• On the 18 September Naida Tattersall addressed both Branch Council and members in 2 sessions. Naida outlined what progress the Board of Directors was making in the implementation of the recommendations of the NPC.
• Our local presence officer, Kathryn Harding, has also participated in a teleconference on the future role of local presence.
• Draft guidelines on Groups Criteria, which were prepared by Craig Anderson were also reviewed by Branch Council. Our comments were forwarded to Craig.

Sections
Queensland continues to have many active sections which provide members with the opportunity for networking and continuing education.

Active sections during 2000 include:

• Public Libraries
• UCRLS
• RAISS
• TAFE
• Darling Downs
• Central Queensland
• North Queensland
• Cataloguers
• Specials
• SLAQ
• Library Technicians

The mentoring committee has remained active in 2000 and nominations have already been received for committee members for 2001.

During 2000, Branch Council has received several requests for funding.

• A recoupable grant of $3000 was provided to the Library Technicians Section.
  This funding will be used to commence arrangements for the 12th ALIA National Library Technicians Conference in September 2003.
• Funding has also been approved to allow the Special Section to produce the Directory of Special Libraries in Queensland.

Quill
There were 9 issues of Quill during 2000. The newsletter continues to provide an excellent mechanism for communication within the state. The photo gallery is also now on the ALIA web site. Congratulations to Tracey Love and her editorial team on another successful year.

Support to the profession
The section also sponsored the ALIA Award to QUT students. The prize of $200 is awarded to the part-time student with the highest aggregate GPA. This year's recipient was Clive Porritt.

Continuing professional development
A program of events through to November 2001 has been developed to support the continuing professional development criteria. Events held during 2000 included:

• Conference Capers on the 13 April - report backs from the VALA and Knowledge Portals conference. Attended by 9 people - unfortunately it coincided with a rail strike.
• Phil Teece [ALIA's manager personnel & industrial services] picked up the ALW theme in his address titled "Career planning for the long run" on the 19 May.
• Australian Library Week was also celebrated with an activity for members on Saturday 20 May. The North African Cooking course was led by experienced cooking teacher and caterer Suzanne Quintner.
• Gateways, Portals and Pathways. A half day seminar held on 9 August 2000.
• Marketing breakfast: "Marketing: a balance between too much and too little" with guest speaker Louise Vaughan of Crown Law on 29 August was attended by 45 people.
• Tony Barry addressed the issue of technological change on the 29 September with standing room only - in excess of 50 people
• Business Planning breakfast on 31 October.
• Power and Passion on 24 November. Guest speakers were Beth Mayo [knowledge manager at Corrs Chambers Westgarth] and Jan Power [well-known journalist and dedicated 'foodie'] - attended by approximately 55 people. This event was a great success and congratulations to the organising committee.
• Recruitment Panel has been scheduled for 28 November.

Committee
I would like to thank members of the executive committee for their support throughout 2000:

• Treasurer - Jim Graham who has very capably led us through the GST minefield and also advised us on correct protocol

• Secretary - Robyn Tweedale

• Immediate past president - Christine Mackenzie

• Continuing professional development - Sue Rigney. Initially Sue was nominated as branch councillor, however, agreed to take on the role of CPD in February.

• Quill editor - Tracey Love

• Local presence officer - Kathryn Harding

• Branch councillors - Carla Mellor and Claire Hill

It is also appropriate, I believe, to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of all committee members of sections and divisions. In undertaking your roles you are continuously balancing your work commitments with ALIA and at the same time striving for a family life. It is not always an easy task.

In conclusion, I thank you for the opportunity to be president of ALIA Queensland in 2000 - I have learnt a lot and at the same time enjoyed my year.