Catch up 2

As per my diary on Tuesday 8th July 2008 I went off to ALIA’s National Advisory Congress (NAC). There was a good role up. Far better than previous ones. The topics we were tasked to discuss were PD and review of the Education/Workforce Summit. I think the ALIA webpage for reminding what it was we discussed.

When I was at the ALA Conference this year (2009) I attended two membership meetings. During these meetings there were discussions about the operation of libraries in difficult financial times, as well as two resolutions from the ALA membership that would be referred to ALA General Council for consideration. The resolutions were, that ‘ALA supports the right for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples to marry’ and that ‘ALA supports the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and Afghanistan’. If these resolutions are accepted they become ALA policy. I look forward to seeing what happens in ALA General Council. Now we are not taking about some government policy protest group adopting these resolutions. We are talking about a library association.

BTW, this year’s NAC topic, us members have been charged to discuss is ‘lobbying and advocacy’.

On Friday 25th July 2008 I ran a ‘Leadership for Library Technicians’ (L4LTs) in Adelaide for the SALT Group. I think there were 12 people in attendance. I thank Martina, Angela and Amanda for their hospitality during my brief stay. It is unfortunate to hear that the SALT Group has ceased operating after 30 years. However, it is not writ anywhere that groups (ALIA or other) have to last forever. They are commenced when the need and support is there and closed, in most cases, when the support is no longer evident and remaining members just can’t do it anymore.

During August and September there would have been a couple of NLS 4 meetings. Tuesday 23rd September I was out at Mt. Druitt TAFE presenting the ALIA prize to the best student. I consider this an important aspect for LT Group committee members to do. Pity the Convenor of the NSW LT Group doesn’t get a look in for the Ultimo TAFE graduations.

The end of September saw me on my way to Brisbane to present L4LTs to students doing the library studies course at Southbank TAFE.