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Professional development of library technicians

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Library Technicians Group of Victoria had one of its most successful years in 2011. Our program of continuing professional development events and networking opportunities proved to be very popular, and the Committee are working on plans to bring back the regular favourites in 2012, along with some exciting new events.

Our program for 2012 will begin on Saturday 4 February 2012 with Techs on Tour – the summer prequel. Delegates will visit two libraries, including the new Lerderderg Library in Bacchus Marsh. Lunch will also be arranged. The event is very relaxed and has proven to be a great way to start our program over the years.

In March, we hope to include the Skool Library Trek, an event that began in 2008. The event focuses on the work in school libraries and has included visits to sites such as the Cunningham Library at the Australian Council for Education Research, Camberwell; Aquinas College Library, Ringwood; Wooranna Park Primary School, Dandenong North; Ivanhoe Grammar's Ridgeway Campus Library; and Eltham College of Education's junior and secondary libraries. In 2012, delegates will hear about the activities associated with the National Year of Reading and then board a minibus to visit three innovative school libraries. The trek will be a wonderful chance to share new ideas and network with others working in the field.

Plans are underway for Techs on Tours fifteenth year. A perennial favourite, this event is located in Melbourne's CBD and is traditionally held mid-year. The day will provide delegates with a look behind the scenes of city libraries. Over the years, delegates have visited many sites including the ABC Reference and Resource Centre, the Supreme Court Library, the Melbourne Theosophical Library and Kay Craddock - Antiquarian Bookseller. The day includes a range of tours at the State Library of Victoria as well as topical speakers.

We also hope to organise the River of Opportunities weekend seminar in a Victorian regional centre at some point during the year. The seminar has been held every two years since 2000 and previous locations have included Mildura, Albury, Wagga Wagga, Canberra and Moama. The program traditionally features the presentation of a range of topical papers, library tours and mini-workshops, beginning on Saturday morning and finishing at lunchtime on Sunday. The seminar has attracted delegates from South Australia, NSW, Victoria and the Northern Territory.

During the year, the Committee will also be arranging visits to a number of libraries, exhibitions and sites of particular interest to people working in libraries. Some of the sites are closed to the public, so we are grateful to those in our network who are able to open their doors to our delegates. We also hope to arrange tours to exhibitions and talks with curators to give delegates an insight into the work associated with creating an exhibition.

We also have some events that exist purely in order to provide our members with an opportunity to network, such as our National Library Technicians’ Day dinner in May, Tex and the City lunches (one per season at a restaurant in the Melbourne CBD), and other meals along the way!

Delegates meet at the national conference in Perth

Delegates meet at the national conference in Perth

In addition to state events, there is the biennial national conference for library technicians. These conferences provide a forum for professional networking and socialising among national and international participants. Delegates learn about the latest trends and developments for libraries, share expertise, hear invited eminent speakers and familiarise themselves with new products and services from the trade and publishing worlds.

Victoria has a busy year scheduled for 2012! Everyone is welcome to come along and join our events, which are open to ALIA members, non-members, students and all library staff, not just library technicians. Please join us and see what ALIA involvement can offer.

Events are promoted on our Facebook page, http://tiny.cc/wzd49, the ALIA website www.alia.org.au/groups/libtvic/, ALIA e-lists and in our newsletter, Incite.

We hope to see you at an event in the very near future!

Kerrie Kelly
80.5.2
Secretary,
ALIA Victorian Library Technicians Committee


Kim Wilson
80.5.3
Treasurer and Marketing/Promotions,
ALIA Victorian Library Technicians Committee
 

The Australian Library and Information Association is comprised of groups that support library technicians nationally and in each state and territory. Visit the ALIA website to find information about our various groups: www.alia.org.au/groups/groups.html.