The following post to the aliaCPD discussion list (22 April 2009) should be of interest to all members but, perhaps, particularly those who manage and have interactions with new graduates.

What makes a profession and who's responsible?

Professions occupy a unique place in our society. Governments have assigned the right and responsibility to control the professions to those who practice the professions. This is a privilege which most professionals take very seriously. ALIA provides the education standards for LIS education in Australia and we work closely with educators, employers and practitioners to ensure high-quality educational programs are available.

ALIA is currently reviewing its course recognition process and would like your input.

As per the notice in the last inCite magazine, we are currently seeking comments on key issues relating to ALIA Course Recognition. Should the ALIA Core Skills and Knowledge be updated and reflected in Course Recognition processes? Should the process be called Accreditation rather than Recognition?

You can make your comments and contributions on the consultation wiki (username and password required), or directly to dianne.walton-sonda@alia.org.au.nospam (remove the '.nospam' from the address) by 30th April 2009.

First meeting of the ALIA Special Libraries Advisory Committee

From Cathy Brady:

The first meeting (teleconference) of the ALIA Special Libraries Advisory Committee is scheduled for 24 April. The Special Libraries Committee is a new Advisory Committee whose primary role is to provide advice in the form of identification of issues, opportunities, activities and in general assist in developing a strategic direction for special libraries with the ALIA Board. Items proposed for discussion at the first meeting include the draft terms of reference for the Committee, the Electronic Resources Australia (ERA) meeting and professional development for special librarians. Emma Datson (Therapeutic Goods Administration) and I (Cathy Brady, HealthInsite, Department of Health and Ageing) are both members on the committee from the health libraries sector. We hope to provide you with outcomes from the meeting next month. If you have any queries regarding the Committee, please feel free to contact me at catherine.brady@health.gov.au.nospam (remove '.nospam' from the address).

Online LIS journals now available to ALIA members

As an ALIA member, did you receive your email last week alerting you that access is now available to over 130 online, full text LIS journals via the ProQuest Library Science database?

This initiative is very welcome. For those working in special libraries, getting access to the LIS literature is not always simple, cheap or time effective.

I'd welcome any comments about this new member benefit.

ALIA Research Mentoring Program 2009

I missed this announcement. My apologies because this is a GREAT INITIATIVE from ALIA. If you want to do research but feel you lack the necessary skills to put together a half decent research study then read on!

The following was posted to aliaHEALTH by Jane Hardy on 10th March.

"Would you like to learn how to gather the evidence to make your services and resources even more effective in meeting your clients needs? Have you always wanted to learn the steps involved in conducting a research project?

The ALIA Research Mentoring Program provides the opportunity for ALIA members to develop and refine their skill, knowledge and confidence in conducting research.

This program is a new initiative for 2009. The ALIA members survey conducted in 2008 clearly showed that ALIA's members were eager to have access to more research support and guidance. In today's ever changing information rich and technologically driven world, it has become more important than ever that library professionals embrace a culture of research and scholarly enquiry. Research skill and knowledge are the essential tool kit for ensuring that libraries and librarians continue to effectively and efficiently meet the evolving needs of the clients and communities they serve.

The program is open to practising librarians or library technician members who have been personal financial members for at least two years at the time of application. The program is not open to members occupying research or teaching positions.

The purpose of the program is to provide the opportunity for recipients to receive expert coaching and guidance as they undertake a research project on a selected library or information issue.

Up to four recipients will be selected to take part in the 2009 Program.
The successful recipients will be matched with a mentor who has experience in conducting research.

Nominations will be considered by the ALIA Research Committee and a recommendation made to the Board of Directors.

Nominations close on 6 April 2009.

For further information (including the application form), visit http://www.alia.org.au/research or contact Helen Partridge, Chair of the ALIA Research and Publishing Standing Committee, at h.partridge@qut.edu.au.nospam (remove '.nospam' from the address)."

Innovation Award: try these on for size

If you're wandering whether one of your workplace activities fits within the definition of 'innovation', as it relates to the HLA/HCN Innovation Award, consider the following examples:

* libraries moving to providing virtual services only – e.g. no physical library, e-only offerings
* libraries using open source Library Management Systems
* libraries implementing Clinical Librarian/s

All sound very familiar, don't they? The judges will be looking for projects that have changed established practices, through the introduction of new methods, services or products, and contributed to and/or supported improved health outcomes.

Please think seriously about applying. Don't underestimate what you have achieved and don't think that applying is equalivant to big-noting yourself...it's not! What you are doing is enhancing the reputation of your library service, giving yourself an opportunity to undertake significant professional development (should you be the successful winner), sharing what you have done with the rest of the health library community (everyone gets the chance to learn from you!) and supporting this new and important Award.

Click here for the application form and here for the guidelines.

EBLIP5: Registration now open

You can now register for Bridging the gap, the 5th International Evidence Based Library and Information Practice (EBLIP5) Conference to be held in Stockholm, 29 June - 3 July 2009.

Early bird registration ends on April 26th 2009, and registration closes on June 1st.

If anyone from an Australian health library is planning to attend EBLIP5, please consider writing up your experience for HLA News. Contact me directly (you will need to remove the '.nospam'). Thanks!

Job ad: Faculty Liaison Librarian, Sydney Uni

Here's another position to contemplate. The University of Sydney's Health, Law and Medical Sciences Libraries Division is seeking a Faculty Liaison Librarian. This is a full-time, continuing position. Search for position reference USYD/151827 on the USYD's Careers Website.

Application close on 23 March 2009.

Interview with Joanne Marshall

I think most of us know of, if not quietly revere, Joanne Marshall. Anyway, I happened to stumble upon an interview with Joanne on Technorati in which she "discusses evidence-based library and information practice and efforts to link research to practice. Libraries as social agents in life-long learning, work force studies and issues, and health information services are discussed." The video runs for 30 minutes and is well worth watching.