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NOTE: This summary is derived from the unconfirmed minutes of the meeting of 13-14 March 1997
 Item 1
Procedural items
The president welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly new members of General Council. Branch presidents who were observers at this meeting were also welcomed. An apology had been received from the NSW general councillor and it was noted that the NSW Branch president would be acting as NSW general councillor.
Item 2
General Council
The president reported on the Executive Committee meeting held on 12 March. It was also noted that the Annual report will be distributed with the June issue of inCite.
Item 3
Reports
The president reported on activities she had undertaken on behalf of the Association and noted an invitation to attend a three levels of government workshop and the launch of the 2020 Vision statement in Adelaide. Some general councillors added information to their reports and all other reports were noted.
Item 4
Corporate services
The executive director reported that the Association remained on a sound financial footing. General Council noted its approval of recent maintenance work carried out to ALIA House.
Item 5
Strategic plan
General Council approved adoption of the Strategic Plan 1997-2001. It was noted that the Strategic Plan had been developed following input from General Council and an extensive consultative process with ALIA Divisions. It was also noted that in line with the concise national strategic approach, Divisions would be able to adopt their own program and activities.
General Council discussed the Strategic Review of Library Co-ordination and Representation and resolved to submit formal comment to the Review noting the desirability of having a single peak representational body in the library and information sector. As ALIA already undertakes much of this role its capacity to perform in the role would be further enhanced should there be a single peak body. The consultant undertaking the Review, Mr Bob Gardini, joined the meeting to provide General Council with a report on the Review, including Terms of Reference, stages and processes involved.
Item 6
Education and training
The chair, Board of Education, provided a report on Board activities. Specific issues noted included education issues for the teacher-librarian in the school community and the Commonwealth Ministerial Consultation on the establishment of a National Forum of Professional Teacher Associations.
An extension of recognition until December 1998 was granted for the Information Management Strand, the Library Science Strand and the Hong Kong Program of the Graduate Diploma of Arts (Library and Information Science) offered by Charles Sturt University. The Graduate Diploma of Education (School Librarianship) offered by Monash University was granted an extension of recognition until December 1997.
A transitional arrangement was approved for recognition of courses in the TAFE-based Diploma of Library and Information Studies based upon the National Curriculum.
Item 7
Workplace
General Council considered a discussion paper on the Workplace Relations Act and endorsed the publication of a booklet on the new legislation and the commissioning of a research project to assess changes in the library and information labour market, including the impact of industrial relations reforms.
General Council received a report on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recruitment and Career Development Strategy which included issues relating to marketing and evaluation.
Item 8
Membership
The manager, membership services, reported on the implementation of the new membership database and undertook to provide General Councillors with accurate membership figures as soon as batched items had been entered onto the system. It was noted that although membership renewals had been delayed because of the implementation of the database, income levels to end February 1997 approximated those to end February 1996.
General Council requested the executive director to seek more information on the activity of non-ALIA members in special interest groups for presentation to the July 1997 meeting. General Council also requested that more information on affiliate and retired members for presentation to its July 1997 meeting. General Council endorsed the collection of a Certificate Fee from members rejoining the Association as Associate or Library Technician members and from members who upgrade to Associate or Library Technician membership.
Item 9
ALIA policy statements
General Council agreed to finalise its Review of ALIA policy statements including:
- Statement on freedom to read
- National information policy statement
- Statement of professional ethics
- ALIA/ASLA joint statement on library and information services in schools
...with a revised version/report on each to be presented to July General Council. The following policy statements under development were referred to the Information Technology and Telecommunications Committee for consideration:
- Censorship and the internet
- Co-operative networks and improved library service
- Electronic publishing
- Libraries and access to networked information
- Networked community information
- Surveillance and electronic networks.
A report on the following policy statements under development will be brought to July 1997 General Council:
- Statement on intellectual property and copyright in a networked information environment
- Statement on open learning.
The president will seek advice from Dr Ross Harvey, Curtin University of Technology, regarding the draft policy statement on Preservation: the permanence and durability of information products.
The draft policy statement on ALIA and international relations, with comments from divisions, will be referred to the International Relations Committee.
Item 10
Guidelines
The executive director provided a progress report on the Taskforce on Guidelines.
Item 11
Awards, promotions and lobbying
The executive director provided General Council with a report on the Association's lobbying activities noting that she had been invited to become a member of the committee which will evaluate the Online Public Access Initiative (OPAI) grants.
The HCL Anderson Award was offered and accepted by Mr Eric Wainwright.
The Redmond Barry Award was offered and accepted by professor Stuart Macintyre.
A Fellowship of the Association was awarded to Dr Brian Desmond Cook, pro-vice-chancellor (Information Services), Griffith University. General Council also noted that the ALIA Board of Education had awarded the 1996 Metcalfe Medallion to Ms Susan Mouer for her essay The Australian library industry competency standards: present perspectives and future prospects.
In the Australian Library Week report it was noted that the insert in the March inCite carried information on state-based activities as well as an order form for merchandise and it was further noted that press kits are being prepared. Examples of promotional material are to be sent to all Branches. Postcards will be available in cafes, theatres and galleries throughout most of Australia. The Australian Library Week oration will be hosted by the WA Branch. Further information on Australian Library Week can be obtained from ALIA National Office.
Item 12
Divisions
It was agreed that the manager, membership services would prepare a proforma division annual report to assist divisional reporting. A copy of the completed 1996 Annual report will be distributed to General Council portfolio holders.
It was further agreed that the proforma circulated to divisions at the end of 1996 for reporting to General Council on objectives for the coming year be revised and the revised version be circulated to Divisions after the November 1997 General Council.
Item 13
ALIA publishing
General Council received a report on ALIA publishing which included issues relating to inCite, Australian Library Week, The ALIA handbook, Australian Library Journal and Australian Academic and Research Libraries, the new editor for which is Dr Peter Clayton, University of Canberra. An occasional paper on workplace issues was due to be published soon.
Item 14
Conferences
The immediate past president advised that a final report on the 1996 Biennial Conference will be available for July 1997 General Council.
The South Australian General Councillor and convenor of the 1998 Biennial Conference provided a progress report on planning.
ACT Branch provided a report on planning for the 2000 Biennial Conference.
Copies of the ALIA conference directory and Listing of non-ALIA conferences that may be of interest to ALIA members are available from ALIA National Office.
Item 15
ALIA committees
Reports were received from the International Relations Committee, Information Technology and Telecommunications Committee, By-Laws and Regulations Committee, Literacy Task Force, Information Literacy Task Force, ALIA Publishing Policy Committee and Copyright Committee.
Item 16
Committees with ALIA representation
Reports were received from a number of committees with ALIA representation including Standards Australia Committee, Australian Committee on Cataloguing, Australian Council of Local Government Officers and CREAT Australia.
Item 17
Relations with other associations
IFLA
Mr Warren Horton, director-general of the National Library of Australia, reported on the IFLA election cycle. It was noted that the executive director is a candidate for a position on the Management of Library Associations RoundTable.
ACS
It was agreed that the Association continue its dialogue with the Australian Computer Society. |
