Monday, March 10, 2008

AGLIN and ALIA working together - MOU

In March 2007, Mary Teague, as Executive Convenor, AGLIN and Sue Hutley as Executive Director ALIA signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations. The MoU will be reiewed after 2 years of operation and sees AGLIN and ALIA working together to advance the cause of government libraries and information services in Australia and to benefit government library and information sector and the people working in it.

AGLIN and ALIA will form an a alliance to work co-operatively and to collaborate in areas that –
· Are of mutual benefit and interest
· Focus on the value of library services in general, and government libraries and information services in particular
· Focus on advocacy for the role and development of government libraries and information services in the Australian government.

The two organisations will also investigate reciprocity for membership of e-lists and e-newsletters, collaborate in lobbying, advocacy and profile raising and in the development of services and products that benefit the members of both organisations as well as offering reciprocal member rates for professional development programs and conferences.

Beth Rogers, Convener for ACT OPALS

I have been the convenor for the ACT OPALS for a couple of years now. In my library career, have always worked in small, one person libraries,and enjoy it mostly, for the flexibility and autonomy which it gives you. I like getting my own systems in place and running an efficient, personal and high profile library. I have always enjoyed excellent support from my directors and principals in my library positions.

As a one person librarian, I know that networking with colleagues isabsolutely vital. Previously, as a teacher librarian, I participated in various networking groups in Sydney and in Canberra and found it vital in discussing technology, and other operational issues, as well asmany other work related issues. Once I was established in my library here, I realised that I needed to be able to network with similar colleagues in government libraries, so went about starting a group, with the assistance of the Group's coordinators at ALIA.

I certainly appreciate the support I receive frommy ALIA colleagues and AGLIN colleagues, and I continue to make aneffort to keep the OPALS rolling along, to fill that networking and friendship need we have, since most of us work in organizations where weare the only ones, so no-one else really has any idea of what we do, orour daily issues. I hope to have a least one guest speaker this year, and am always on thelook out for events we can participate in.