Annual Report

Australian School Library Association Inc.

Annual General Meeting, 13 May 2011
Presented by Darlene Hill (ASLA President)

Constitution
Since our last Annual General Meeting, the Australian School Library Association has completed its work on the development of the constitution. On 15 November 2010, the ASLA Council voted to accept the new constitution. While there were a number of changes made, the development of the Board structure and ability to accept individual membership from states which did not have member associations of ASLA, are perhaps the most significant and dynamic changes. The development of the constitution under which we now operate, has been developed over a number of years with many council members. I would like to sincerely thank all those who have been involved in the development and discussions of the constitution. Our constitution now enables ASLA to be a truly national association, and places us firmly in the national arena as the peak body for school libraries in Australia.

National Inquiry into school Libraries and Teacher Librarians in Australian schools
The National Inquiry into School Libraries and Teacher Librarians in Australian Schools has been high on ASLA’s agenda. After the hiatus following the calling of the federal election, the inquiry was reinstated at the end of 2010. ASLA was called to be a witness in a private hearing soon after. I sincerely thank Karen Bonanno for all her efforts and vision through the process. Like all of you, I eagerly await the tabling of the report from the Inquiry to federal parliament on 23 May 2011.

Submissions
ASLA has been involved in a broad spectrum of activities since the AGM in August, including writing submissions, and presenting at meetings.

At the end of 2010, following the submission made to the Book Industry Strategic Group, I attended a workshop held in Canberra. At this meeting, representatives from library associations as well as major stakeholder libraries workshopped numerous aspects associated with the development of eBooks and implications for libraries.

Earlier this year, Karen Bonanno and Chris Kahl attended the public hearing for the Joint Committee on Cyber Safety in Brisbane. Thank you to both Chris and Karen for preparing the submission for this public hearing.

Another meeting which highlighted our importance at a national level was the meeting held between ACARA and June Wall and Karen Bonanno. This meeting allowed June and Karen to indicate the vital role of the Teacher Librarian in the delivery of the national curriculum.

It is meetings, submissions and hearings, such as the snapshot presented which indicate that ASLA is indeed the peak body for school libraries in Australia, and places us well for the future.

Learning in a Changing World
The Learning in a Changing World series presents the core areas for all educators and school leaders to consider for 21st century learning: the digital world, virtual worlds, curriculum integration, resourcing and the physical environment. All are essential elements to enable and empower students to be lifelong learners and active participants in our society. This wonderful series was officially launched at the School Library Round Table, on 8 November 2010. Already, there is great buzz about the books, and the professional development surrounding them will showcase ASLA to a wide range of participants.

School Library Roundtable
The purpose of the School Library Roundtable was to bring together representatives of the major stakeholder professional associations and institutions for teacher librarianship and school libraries. The anticipated outcomes of the School Library Roundtable for 2010 was to plan significant activities to progress the identified recommendations from the Federal Government Inquiry into school libraries and teacher librarians in Australian schools. Key areas were identified, and four working groups developed actions to be undertaken. A follow-up teleconference was conducted on 16 March 2011. The success of this has come from the dedication of Karen Bonanno. I thank Karen and June for their work for ASLA as part of the School Library roundtable.

In the six months of transition from the previous constitution to the current one, ASLA has certainly been busy, with its internal developments, as well as representation nationally. All this could not be possible without the support and dedication of the interim Board. I thank each one of you whole heartedly. This AGM will also be a time of change, with new Directors coming onto the Board, and changes in the position of Treasurer. I would like to thank Chris Kahl for her enthusiastic work as Treasurer over the years, and input into ASLA. Additionally, long serving Councillors and then Directors, Sandra Amoore and Lori Korodaj will not be part of the incoming Board, and I thank them for their tireless support of ASLA and vital work they have undertaken.

While there is a Board, ASLA haswonderful opportunities for members, whether from member associations or individual members, to be part of the national association. I encourage all members to actively participate in Project Teams, publication activities and other opportunities as they arise. Not only is being an active participant of an association rewarding, but it also provides professional development focussed on your role within a school library. I hope to catch up with many of our members at ASLA XXII 2-5 October, 2011, held at Saint Ignatius, Riverview, Sydney.

Last updated May 2011