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.

Job ad: Systems Librarian, Melbourne

The Royal Melbourne Hospital Health Sciences Library is looking for a full time Systems Librarian. The position description and criteria can be accessed online.

Applications close 25 March 2009.

Deadline extended

The HLA Executive has announced that the deadline for applications for the HLA/HCN Innovation Award has been extended to March 31st, 2009.

The purpose of the Award is to acknowledge excellence/innovation in performance by an information professional. This Award is an opportunity for those working in the Australian health and biomedical library sector to showcase innovative projects which, through the use of health informatics or web technologies contribute to or support improved health outcomes.

This is a great opportunity to pick up $2500 to put toward yours or your team's professional development. All that's required is completing an application form and writing 2 articles for HLA News - one that describes your innovative project and one that reports on the professional development activity you use your winnings on.

If you're unsure whether your project is "innovative" contact a member of the HLA Exec. Click the 'office bearers' link on the HLA web site for contact details.

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

Job ad: senior position in Melbourne

Eastern Health, in Melbourne, is advertising for a Chief Librarian. This is a full time, ongoing position and classified as Grade 2 under the Health Professionals Services – Public Sector – Victoria 2003 Award.

From the position description: 'The Eastern Health Library Service operates across the seven main campuses of Eastern Health with the main sites with permanent provision of resources being Box Hill Hospital and Maroondah Hospital. Satellite sites include Angliss Hospital, Peter James Centre, Wantirna Health and Healesville & District Hospital/Yarra Ranges. Currently, the provision of services to these sites most often occurs via Box Hill or Maroondah with a physical presence of library staff at these sites on a part time weekly basis.' The position will be based at Box Hill Hospital.

The full job description can be found on the Eastern Health website.

Applications close on 13 March 2009.

ALIA 2009 elections - electronic voting now available

This morning I received an email with instructions on how to vote electronically in the ALIA Board of Directors election. I haven't cast my vote as yet but this is a great step forward for those of us with easy access to the Internet...no more paper forms, no more envelopes in envelopes!

I confess I had not taken any notice of the candidates until I had a quick look this morning. Five individuals are running for the 2 available directors' positions: Stuart Ferguson, Gillian Hallam, Richard Siegersma, Kate Sinclair and Lothar von Retzlaff. You can read more about them on the ALIA 2009 election website.

What is most surprising is that there was only one nomination for Vice-President, Graham Black, Director, Division of Library Services, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton. As such, and in accordance with ALIA by-laws, Graham is automatically elected to the position. As incoming Vice-President (2009-2010), Graham is also President-elect (2010-2011). Congratulations to Graham.

I have one gripe, though - and it may be nothing more than an administrative oversight or maybe I'm just not looking in the right spot on the ALIA website - but where the candidates for the Board positions have provided additional information that further describes their skills and experience and the issues they consider need addressing by the Association, I don't see any of this information available, beyond a short Statement of Professional Concerns, for the incoming Vice-President. The membership needs to know a little more about what to expect from the future President of ALIA. So if I have missed something, can someone let me know?!

Regardless, please take the time to vote and if you are a member and haven't received voting instructions, contact ALIA National Office on the member's line 1800 020 071 or enquiry@alia.org.au.nospam (remove the '.nospam' from address).

Update your member details online

ALIA National Office has announced that ALIA members can now update their member details online. You will need your 6-digit ALIA membership number and a password. If you have forgotten, or don't know, your password follow the 'forgotten your password?' links when you login to have your password e-mailed to you, or phone the membership team on 1800 020 071.

Can I urge you to spend a couple of minutes updating your details. And, remember, you must select HEALTH as your group to continue receiving HLA News and any other direct communication from the HLA Executive.

Contact ALIA National Office directly if you have any queries.