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The above rates to be effective from 1 January 2003. Proposed by the Executive Board. The meeting instructed the Executive Board to insert an additional rate and class between the first and second bands listed above.
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National Activities 2002
Launch of The Borrowers at School: a report on Primary School Libraries
In September, the Association published The Borrowers at School: a report on Primary School Libraries with a launch in the National Library of Ireland by Professor John Coolahan, Education Department, National University of Ireland, Maynooth. This publication is the first comprehensive review of library provision for primary schools in Ireland. The report is based on research carried out for the Library Association of Ireland by Dr. Deirdre Haslett. The Consultative Committee that directed the study was representative of the main stakeholders - the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, the Library Association of Ireland, the National Parents' Council-Primary, An Chomhairle Leabharlanna and the Department of Education and Science. There is an interesting comparative study of primary school libraries internationally. The views of primary teachers in Ireland were sought by means of questionnaire and there were focus group meetings with teachers, parents and librarians.
For most of the last half century, the Association has been campaigning for the provision of school libraries at all levels of the education system. The Association has long maintained that there should be a statutory obligation to provide libraries in schools. The Association has also been campaigning for realistic funding levels for the local authority school library services that currently deliver a library service to primary schools nationwide.
The research and publication were made possible through funding from the Department of Education and Science. Copies of the report were distributed to every primary school in the country through the school library services; copies were also distributed to every public library. Distribution nationwide was made possible through the generous sponsorship of John Treacy, IES.
The Association believes that this report will be instrumental in facilitating the national development of libraries and the enhancement of library services to all primary schools. To progress the report, the President has invited the members of the Consultative Committee to an informal meeting to explore ways in which the stakeholders can contribute to the implementation of the recommendations in the report.
Babies Love Books
The Baby Book Pack project initiated by the National Reading Initiative in 2000 was judged a major success by all involved in its implementation. In 2001 the Library Association of Ireland successfully proposed to the Department of Education and Science a continuation of the project, closely modelled on the existing scheme. In 2002, aiming to build on this undoubted success and on the active support of the local public libraries and public health nurses, the Association proposed a third Baby Book Pack scheme to the Department. A response is still awaited. The programme to date has generated an unprecedented level of enthusiasm and awareness of children's books among parents and families. All recent research highlights the fact that early familiarity with books and reading (as in this project) has invaluable and positive effects on literacy levels. It is hoped that this scheme will become a permanent feature of the delivery of educational services in this country.
Professional Qualifications
In her Presidential Address delivered at the Annual General Meeting, 2002, Marjory Sliney spoke on the requirement for professional qualifications. Using the recent publication, Towards a National Framework of Qualifications: Inclusion of Professional and International Awards- a discussion paper (Dublin: National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, 2002.) as a starting point, the importance of basic and continuing professional education in librarianship was stressed. The Association's stated position on the requirement of professional qualifications for all professional posts was reiterated. The full text of the Presidential Address has been published in the latest issue of An Leabharlann/ the Irish Library (vol. 16(1), (2002): 12-13.)
The Association's position in relation to professional qualifications was re-inforced by the then Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Noel Dempsey, T.D., during his address to the Joint Conference 2002. The Minister made a specific reference to the role of the librarian as opposed to the library service. He argued that precisely because so much information is available today, the need for professional librarians is greater. The Minister's speech is also reproduced in the issue of An Leabharlann/the Irish Library referred to above. While he was speaking about the public library sector, his remarks are valid for all sectors.
The Association continues to have members who are interested in becoming Associates of the Association. The Associate programme - with the post-nominal ALAI - gives an indication of professional competence. Almost every week during the year, we have had enquiries from both librarians and prospective employers as to whether certain overseas courses in librarianship are recognised in Ireland. The Association has always followed IFLA guidelines on this matter. The Library Association of Ireland will recognise professional courses, that have been accredited in the country in which the qualification is awarded, as professional courses in librarianship. Like many small library associations worldwide, we are grateful for the accreditation processes that have been put in place by the American Library Association (ALA) and the Chartered Institute for Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). It is a matter of regret that despite Ireland's signing of the Bologna Declaration on Higher Education, Ministerial support and the consistent stance of the Association, some sections within the public sector still seek to question the need for professional qualifications in librarianship.
Advocacy
The Association is involved on an ongoing basis in advocacy on behalf of its members. We are fortunate that a) we have a nominee in Seanad Eireann and b) as the country is relatively small, we tend to meet Ministers and other elected representatives on various social occasions Ð or indeed, while en route to work. A copy of the Annual Report 2001 was delivered to every member of the Oireachtas. A copy of the explanatory leaflet on the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 was also sent to relevant public representatives.
(i) Submissions
The Executive Board made a submission to the Department of Health and
Children on the National Health Information Strategy. Health Libraries
in Ireland and their Role in the Delivery of a Modern Health Service
was prepared by the Healthcare Libraries Panel and is available in electronic
format on the Association's website (www.libraryassociation.ie). The
draft of the Borrowers at School: a report on Primary School Libraries
was submitted to the Department of Education and Science and to the
Department of the Environment and Local Government in lieu of a pre-Budget
submission. A copy of the published version of this publication was
also sent to the Forum to Address Educational Disadvantage (Department
of Education and Science). A submission to extend the Babies love
Books scheme for another year was also made to the Department of
Education and Science.
(ii) Representations
The Association's Seanad nominee, Senator Paschal Mooney, made representations
on our behalf on various matters arising from the Annual General Meeting
2002. Representations were made to:
- The Department of Education and Science regarding a role for the Library Association of Ireland on the National Adult Learning Council;
- The Minister for Finance and the European Commission on the matter of VAT on audio books, language tapes and other non-book material;
- The Minister for Labour, Trade and Consumer Affairs on the views of the Association in relation to the transposition into Irish law of Article 5 of the EU Directive on Harmonisation of Certain Aspects of Copyright and Related Rights in the Information Society.
The Association also made representations to:
- The Revenue Commissioners to ascertain whether membership subscriptions to a professional association would attract any tax relief (regrettably the answer was in the negative);
- The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform requesting that a prison library service be established nationwide similar to that provided in the Dublin area by Dublin City Public Libraries;
- The Department of Health and Children seeking the appointment of a Health Care Information Library Coordinator. This followed from its earlier submission to the Information Strategy for Health.
(iii) Nomination to the Cultural and Educational Panel, Seanad Eireann
The Library Association of Ireland is a nominating body for elections
to Seanad Eireann. We can nominate to the Cultural and Educational Panel.
This year, following the General Election, we re-nominated our nominee,
Senator Paschal Mooney, who was contesting his fifth successive election.
The Association was delighted that our nominee topped the poll. We wish
Senator Mooney well during the current term.
Review of the Library Association of Ireland
During the year the Executive Board accepted a recommendation from the Finance and General Purposes Committee that a formal review of the Association should be undertaken. The review began in autumn 2002 and aimed to produce:
- a clear and agreed understanding of the areas of work with which the Association needs to concern itself over the next few years;
- a clear and agreed understanding of the organisational structure needed to do this work effectively; and
- a clear, agreed and adopted development plan, costed and timetabled, which will enable the desired organisational structure be put in place and maintained.
Following a tender process, Work Research Co-operative, social and economic consultants, was contracted to assist the Executive Board in the carrying out of the review. A report will be made to the Executive Board in February 2003 with a view to presenting proposals to the Association at the 2003 Annual General Meeting.
Joint Conference
The Library Association of Ireland and CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) (NI) held their first joint Conference in Belfast on16-19 April, 2002 on the theme Libraries for All: towards Social Inclusion. While the Joint Conference has been held for some 39 years, it was the first Joint Conference organised by the LAI and CILIP (NI). CILIP has been in existence since 1 April 2002 and was formed as the result of a merger of the Library Association and the Institute of Information Scientists. The Conference was historic in a number of respects:
- It was opened jointly by two Ministers- Noel Dempsey, T.D., Minister for the Environment and Local Government and Michael McGimpsey, MLA, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland.
- Delegates were invited by the Belfast Education and Library Board to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Belfast Public Libraries and Dublin City Public Libraries.
- The first formal meeting between the County and City Librarians' Section of the Library Association of Ireland and the Society of Chief Librarians (NI) took place during the Conference.
The official opening was followed by the keynote address by John Lonergan, Governor, Mountjoy Prison. The other speakers and topics were: Sheila Corrall, President of CILIP, on Skills for the Future; Rob Froud, County Librarian, Somerset County Council, on E-government, Libraries and Social Inclusion; Carol Gallagher, Development Officer for Multicultural Education, Omagh Teachers' Centre, on Signposts to Resources to support Intercultural Education; Linda Houston, Chief Librarian, BELB, on Social Inclusion: closing the gaps; Rebecca Linley, Development Officer, Learning and Access Resource, on Transforming Public Libraries for Social Inclusion; Norma McDermott, Director of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna on Opening the Door: is the public library a space for all?; Genevieve Patte from La Joie par les Livres in Paris on Children's Services, Positive Discrimination in favour of the Excluded; Alastair Smeaton, Divisional Librarian, Dublin City Public Libraries on the Road to Social Inclusion: the role of mobile libraries; Pearl Valentine, Chief Librarian, NEELB, on A Future Library for Northern Ireland.
The programme also featured a number of parallel sessions, presented by Laura Plummer, Assistant Chief Librarian, SEELB; Tony Linnane, Western Health Board Regional Librarian; Naoise M. Johnston, Resource Development Officer, Trinity College Dublin; Ellen Breen, Sub-Librarian for Information Services, Dublin City University, and Margaret Bentley and Bernadette Kiely of the Junior Certificate School Library Project. The Programme Secretary was Bernie McAdam, Senior Librarian, Dublin City Public Libraries. Delegates had an opportunity to visit the Linen Hall Library, Belfast City Library or Stormont Castle. On Thursday 18 April the conference was honoured by a Civic Dinner at Belfast City Hall, hosted by the Lord Mayor, Cllr. James Rodgers, OBE.
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International Activities 2002
EBLIDA
EBLIDA is an independent umbrella association of national library, information,
documentation and archive associations and institutions in Europe. The
Association's representative at EBLIDA is Liam Ronayne, County Librarian,
Donegal County Libraries. The Association has invited EBLIDA to hold
its annual council meeting in Cork in 2005, when Cork will be European
City of Culture.
North-South Liaison
Committee Meetings of the Committee took place in Belfast, Newry and
Galway. Two issues of An Leabharlann/the Irish Library were published:
vol.15 (3,4) and vol. 16(1). In December, Mary Kintner resigned as a
Joint Editor. Meanwhile, Pat McMahon has taken on the role of Business
Manager in addition to that of Editor.
Attendance at IFLA 2002
Some twenty librarians (representative of academic, national, public
and special libraries) from Ireland attended the 68th IFLA General Conference
and Council held in Glasgow, August 2002. Attendance at IFLA conferences
is a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas, find out what is going
on in libraries of other types and learn about experiences in other
countries. Attendance at IFLA is also an opportunity to meet people,
catch up with friends and colleagues and visit libraries in the host
city and elsewhere.
As Ireland is indebted to the generosity of Andrew Carnegie, it was fitting that a number of librarians from Carnegie libraries were able to attend as a special programme was arranged for Carnegie librarians. This included a visit to Dunfermline, Carnegie's birthplace and site of the first public library funded by him.
Bid to host IFLA 2008
Returning with enthusiasm after IFLA Glasgow 2002, we submitted another
bid to host the International Federation of Library Associations and
Institutions (IFLA) Annual Conference in Dublin, 2008. We have been
fortunate in that letters of support which accompanied the bid document
were received from the following: An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, T.D.;
Noel Dempsey, T.D., Minister for Education and Science; Martin Cullen,
T.D., Minister for the Environment and Local Government; John O'Donoghue,
T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism; Councillor Dermot Lacey,
Lord Mayor of Dublin; Bord Failte and Aer Lingus.
Visits from International Colleagues
During 2002, we have had contacts with two groups of international colleagues
who are planning visits to Dublin in Spring 2003. We look forward to
meeting with colleagues from the Picardie Group of the Association des
Bibliothacaires Francais and from the Association of School Librarians,
Rogoland County, Norway.
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Committees of the Executive Board
Children and School Libraries Panel
Valerie Coghlan, Fionnuala Hanrahan, Pat Lonergan, Marjory Sliney.
Members of this Panel exchange views and ideas electronically. This
year, the most important work of this Panel was ensuring that the research
report on library provision in primary schools was published. The Panel
is pleased that this report is now in the public domain. A more detailed
account of the report, The Borrowers at School: a report on Primary
School Libraries, appears in the National Activities section of
this Annual Report.
Committee on School Library Development
Valerie Coghlan, Pat Lonergan, Mary Carleton Reynolds, Liz Turley,
Rosemary Walton.
This Committee also had a role in the genesis of The Borrowers at School
in that it was while working on an earlier publication, Library File,
that the need for research into school library provision became apparent.
The suggestion to make an application for research funding was then
made to the Executive Board. The Executive Board applied to the Department
of Education. As was reported last year, the Association continues to
receive requests for copies of Library File.
Education and Training Panel
Deirdre Ellis-King, Marjory Sliney, Teresa Walsh.
As last year, the issue of professional qualifications is a major concern
for the Panel. While the Association is not in a position to accredit
individual courses in professional librarianship worldwide, it does
follow IFLA guidelines in relation to recognising qualifications accredited
by sister associations.
European and International Affairs Panel
Jennefer Aston, Caroline Brazier (resigned August 2002), Joseph Donnelly,
Mary Doyle, Deirdre Ellis-King, Liam Ronayne (Convenor), Marjory Sliney.
(i) Leaflet on Copyright Members of the Panel, in particular Mary Doyle,
Joseph Donnelly, Jennefer Aston and Caroline Brazier, finalised the
text of an explanatory leaflet on the Copyright and Related Rights Act
2000. The leaflet was launched at the Annual General Meeting in March,
and 5,000 copies were sent to libraries and members of the Association
throughout the country, with distribution coordinated by Marjory Sliney.
The leaflet is designed to help front-line staff in dealing with copyright
queries from the public. The Convenor of the Panel, Liam Ronayne, gave
an address on copyright issues to the Annual General Meeting of the
Munster Section in September. Other members of the panel also gave seminars
during the year.
(ii) Directive on Copyright in the Information Society The State is
obliged, under the terms of the EU Directive on the Harmonisation of
Certain Aspects of Copyright and Related Rights in the Information Society,
to enact legislation giving effect to the Directive no later than 23rd
December 2002. The Panel has made representations to the Department
of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Panel members are in liaison
with CONUL and CHIU, the heads of Irish universities, to secure the
best possible wording for libraries and library users.
(iii) IFLA General Conference and Council The Panel assisted in the
preparation of a bid for Dublin to host the 2008 IFLA General Conference
and Council. The bid was not successful, but the Panel is continuing
to work on bringing this most important library event to Ireland. There
was a very significant Irish attendance at the IFLA Conference in Glasgow
in August, and greater Irish involvement in IFLA will be key to a successful
bid in the future.
(iv) EBLIDA Council The 2002 EBLIDA Council meeting was held in The
Hague on 3 and 4 May, and was attended by the Convenor of the Panel.
The Council was held in EBLIDA's home city to mark the 10th anniversary
of its establishment and attracted its biggest ever attendance.
(v) Other International Initiatives Jennefer Aston represents the Panel
on the EBLIDA Expert Group on Copyright, and the Convenor represents
the Panel on the WTO / GATS Working Group. GATS, the General Agreement
on Trade in Services, will present huge dangers for the operation of
library and information services if the text remains unaltered and GATS
is likely to be the most important issue for the Panel in 2003.
(vi) Library Logo The 2002 EBLIDA Council meeting considered the question
of a European library logo which would be recognisable from Galway to
Vladivostok and from Lapland to Sicily. The Council was generally in
favour, and it is hoped that proposals will be presented to a future
Council meeting.
Finance and General Purposes Committee
Geraldine McHugh, Liam Ronayne, Marjory Sliney, Brendan Teeling, Catherine
Watters.
The Committee met five times during the year. The agenda was dominated
by the ongoing discussion on the need to provide organisational change
to facilitate the continued growth and effectiveness of the Association.
Following on from proposals and discussions in 2001, the Committee recommended
that a review of the present workings of the LAI be undertaken by an
independent body, and terms of reference for that review were drawn
up and put to the Executive Board. Proposals for Tender were circulated
to several relevant bodies and the review is now being undertaken by
the Work Research Co-operative. By the end of 2002, a questionnaire
had been circulated to members and will be followed by questionnaires
to non-members as well as meetings with relevant groups and individuals.
WRC's report will include a development plan for the Association which
will be discussed at the Annual General Meeting in 2003.
Healthcare Libraries Panel
Bernard Barrett, Margaret Dillon, Catherine Kennedy, John Lancaster,
Tony Linnane, Siobhan McCarthy, Tom McGuirk, James Molloy, Mary Riordan,
Ann Tierney.
The Panel met approximately every two months throughout the year. The
year began with a meeting at the Georgian Civic Trust Buildings in Limerick,
hosted by John Lancaster, University of Limerick Librarian, who has
been leading the process to update and modernise Standards for Health
Care Libraries in Ireland, originally published by the LAI in 1993.
A Steering Group is currently working on these and plans to have a completed
document ready for discussion in February 2003. The intention is for
this to be endorsed by the Executive Board and subsequently published
and launched by the Association as soon as possible thereafter.
The Panel sought to provide itself with clear terms of reference, which were later ratified by the Executive Board. The standards process also looked forward to the challenges that face Health Care information professionals, both now and in the foreseeable future. A number of additional committees were also set up to examine the role of the Health Care Librarian as teacher and trainer, and to define the information skills required by a modern Health Care Librarian.
During the year, the Panel made a further submission to the Department of Health and Children entitled Health Libraries in Ireland and their Role in the Delivery of a Modern Health Service. We feel that the submission is particularly important in light of the new National Health Information Strategy, which is due to be published in December 2002.
In its last two meetings of the year, the Panel sought to take a lead on the issue of National Health Care Information Provision, specifically with regard to Electronic Information. At its meeting on 5 December, we invited members of HEBE (Health Boards Executive) and the Health Sciences Libraries Group to be present, so that a full discernment of all the issues could be made, and an action plan formed. The Panel are particularly pleased to see that HEBE is placing such strategic stress on the creation of a national knowledge centre and on the sharing of information as a national resource. It is hoped that the fruits of this meeting will become a part of that process. The meeting heard from Dr Ann Wales, the NHS Scotland Library Service Development Coordinator, who was responsible for the development of a similar service in Scotland. The meeting also heard from Lesley Wilson of Ovid, who gave a demonstration of the products that could form the basis of such a system. During the year, the Panel submitted a proposal to the Department for the creation of a three-year national healthcare library coordination project, which would be broadly similar in scope to what has been achieved in Scotland. At the time of writing, we have learned that the Library at the Department has been closed until further notice, pending the outcome of a review. We are, however, encouraged that a respected consultant has been appointed to undertake this review process. She has invited both the Health Care Libraries Panel and the Health Sciences Libraries Group to contribute to this. We look forward to 2003 and hope, that by working in a collaborative and strategic way, we will continue to move forward with all involved in the creation and delivery of health care information.
Information Society Panel
Deirdre Ellis-King, Gobnait O'Riordan, Teresa Walsh.
In line with the role that Libraries hold as key enablers of the European
and Irish Government information society agenda, members of the Panel,
through the County and City Librarians' Section and other appropriate
fora, addressed and promoted measures to assist the process of social
inclusion and life-long learning. The increase in the number of library
catalogues available on-line was noted as was the move towards delivery
of content via library-based web sites. Key actions undertaken by members
included the further development of public internet access in public
libraries and the provision of skills-based training for both the public
and library staff. The example of the Dublin City Public Libraries Internet
Residency Programme was cited as an example of good practice affording
the expansion of more broad-based access to the information society.
The Panel noted the potential for public libraries to act as key access
points to OASIS, which aims to deliver e-government to local communities.
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Representing the Association
Nominees and Members of External Committees
An Chomhairle Leabharlanna: Deirdre Ellis-King, Ruth Flanagan
Committee on Library Co-operation and Development: Leslie Bryan
EBLIDA: Liam Ronayne
EBLIDA Expert Group on Copyright: Jennefer Aston
Editorial Panel for An Leabharlann: Pat McMahon
Local Government Anti-Poverty Learning Network: Brendan Martin, Austin
Vaughan
Public Libraries Liaison Group (LGCSB): Jane Cantwell, Ann Coughlan,
Dolores Doyle, Tom King, Martin Maher
Newsplan: Marjory Sliney
North-South Liaison Committee: Ann Cleary, Pat McMahon, Marjory Sliney,
Brendan Teeling, Catherine Watters
School Library Research Project: Valerie Coghlan, Fionnuala Hanrahan
Standing Committee on Public Library Staff Training and Development:
Pat Lonergan, Austin Vaughan
WTO/GATS Working Group: Liam Ronayne
Conferences
EBLIDA Council Meeting, The Hague, 3-4 May: Liam Ronayne
European Public Libraries in Development (NAPLE Conference), Copenhagen,
3-4 October: Marjory Sliney
The Public Library as a Space for All: a review of Branching Out: Waterford,
28-29 November: Marjory Sliney
National PULMAN Workshop, Dublin, 11 December: Marjory Sliney
Functions
The President attended the following functions during the year:
- Launch of Children's Free Library membership leaflet, Blanchardstown, 11 February.
- Library Association (Northern Ireland), Members' Day, Belfast, 20 February.
- Official opening of the John and Aileen O'Reilly Library, Dublin City University, 22 April.
- International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award dinner, City Hall, Dublin, 14 June.
- Memorial Service for the late Gillian Smyth, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, 8 July.
- Launch of Babies Love Books in Fingal, Dublin, 16 July.
- Carnegie Exhibition, Deansgrange Library, Dublin, 3 September.
- Presentation to LIS students, Department of Library and Information Studies, National University of Ireland, Dublin, 25 September.
- Danish Union of Librarians' reception, Copenhagen, 2 October.
- 25th Anniversary celebrations, Department of Library and Information Studies, National University of Ireland, Dublin, 11 October.
- Children's Book Festival Launch, Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery, Dublin, 15 October.
- Inauguration of Reading Centre, Church of Ireland College of Education, Dublin, 5 December.
Publications
Annual Report 2001. Dublin: Library Association of Ireland, 2002. issn
0791- 6248.
Copyright and Related Rights Act, 2000 Copying Regulations: a brief
guide to the main features governing the supply of copies to library
users. Dublin: Library Association of Ireland, European and International
Affairs Panel, 2002.
The Borrowers at School: a report on Primary School Libraries. Compiled
by Deirdre Haslett. Dublin: Library Association of Ireland, 2002. ISBN
0-946 037-40-X
An Leabharlann: the Irish Library. Second Series, vol.15 (3/4)(2001)
and vol. 16(1) (2002). ISSN 0023- 9542. The Library Association of Ireland
and the Library Association (NI), now CILIP (NI), jointly publish the
journal.
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Sections and Groups
Academic and Special Libraries Section
Chairperson Caitriona Sharkey (Ernst and Young) Treasurer Colleen O'Kane (LK Shields Solicitors) Committee Nicky Kilroy (KPMG) Teresa Whitington (Central Catholic Library)
During 2002 the activities of the section included the following:
- Annual Seminar The Annual Seminar was held in Dublin on 8 March 2002 and was entitled Building Blocks: Library infrastructure and careers. The seminar was chaired by Mary Turner, and the speakers were: Janet Sinder, GSM Association; Sheila O'Flynn, Creatifica Associates; Pattie Punch, University of Limerick; Dr Alan MacDougall, Kings College London; Trevor Peare, Trinity College Dublin. All presentations from the seminar are posted on the ASL website http://www.aslireland.org/
- Annual General Meeting The Section's Annual General Meeting was held on 26 June 2002 in the Royal Irish Academy. The meeting was followed by a talk by Julia Cummins, Librarian, Farmleigh, on The Library Collection at Farmleigh.
- Library Visits In December 2002 a visit was organised to Farmleigh and the library at Farmleigh. This was attended by 10 people.
The Committee of the Academic and Special Libraries Section would like to thank all of those who participated in, supported and attended the events. We would also like to express our thanks to Teresa Whitington who resigned from the Committee during the year. Teresa has been a very active committee member for the past number of years and has contributed significantly to previous activities and events.
Assistant Librarians' Section
Chairperson Jess Codd, Tipperary Joint Libraries Committee Vice-Chairperson Carmel Daly, Clare County Library Secretary Gerard Flannery, Tipperary Joint Libraries Committee Treasurer Pat Lonergan, Kildare County Library Committee Eileen Burgess, Donegal County Library Tony Cox, Westmeath County Library Breeda Gilligan, Roscommon County Library Anne McNeill, Kildare County Library Dorothy O'Reilly, Kilkenny County Library Peter Rabbitt, Galway County Library Sheila Tierney, Louth County Library Josephine Vahey, Galway County Library.
The officers and committee were voted in at the Annual General Meeting of the Section which was held in Blanchardstown Library on 7 February 2002. This meeting was preceded by a guided tour of Cabra Library. There was also a guided tour of Blanchardstown Library after the Annual General Meeting. The Committee then met three times during the year in the Central Library, ILAC Centre, Dublin on the following Thursdays: 11 April, 6 June and 5 September.
The Section's Annual Conference was held in the Anner Hotel, Thurles, Co. Tipperary from 10-12 October. The theme was Everyone's Library? Social inclusion in libraries. The Conference was officially opened by Marjory Sliney, President of the Library Association of Ireland, and was attended by over 70 delegates representing library services throughout the country and library support trades. There were four keynote talks. Dr. Diarmaid Ferriter, lecturer in Irish history at St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, spoke about social inclusion and the public libraries since 1947. Fionnuala Hanrahan, County Librarian, Wexford County Council, spoke about the initiatives which Wexford County Libraries have taken towards increasing inclusiveness. Sheila Kelly, Senior Librarian, Dublin City Public Libraries, spoke about the various services and activities provided by that library authority. The final speaker was Knud Schulz, Chief Librarian, Aarhus Public Library, Denmark, who gave a Scandinavian perspective on library activities related to social inclusion. Delegates were also brought on a guided tour of the new public library in Cashel and then to the nearby Bolton Library which houses many unique collections.
Cataloguing and Indexing Group
Chairperson Jane Gribbon, University of Limerick Treasurer Breda Long, National University of Ireland, Cork Secretary Michéal Ó hAodha, University of Limerick
The Group did not run any events in 2002. The seminar topics being considered for 2003 include the cataloguing of digital images, Marc 21 and the new AACR update.
County and City Librarians' Section
Chairman Deirdre Ellis-King, Dublin City Public Libraries Vice-Chairman Breda Gleeson, Kildare County Library Secretary Austin Vaughan, Mayo County Libary.
Over 12 million visits are made to public libraries in Ireland annually. This was one of the findings of the first ever Public Library User Survey held in Ireland. Other significant results related to the high level of praise for library staff by 97% of respondents while 72% were happy with library book stock. The report also showed that women make up 66% of library users, that almost one third of visitors come to use Internet facilities and that 83% of visitors found at least one book of interest to them.
- Branching Out Review 2002 was also an important year for the County and City Librarians' Section as it marked the midpoint of Branching Out, the national programme for public libraries. A seminar to review progress to date was organised by the Department of the Environment and Local Government in Waterford on 28-29 November. Staff training and development, ICT, cultural heritage, infrastructural development, service delivery and funding issues were discussed at this conference. An exhibition of work being carried out in public libraries throughout the country was held to coincide with the conference. Case studies of Best Practice from different library systems were collected from the conference. In advance of the seminar a workshop for members of the section was held in Kildare for the purpose of preparing for the workshops.
- Professional Issues A variety of issues was discussed by members of the section during the year. These included: - Public Libraries: the section oversaw the introduction of the Public Library User Survey in libraries throughout the state. The findings, as outlined above, were extremely positive. - The Prison Library Service: Gerard Maher, Laois County Librarian, represented the section in discussions with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the issue of employment of professional staff for prison libraries. - The Schools Library Service: Fionnuala Hanrahan, Wexford County Librarian, represented the section on the Consultative Committee which produced The Borrowers at School: a report on Primary School Libraries. q LGAPN: Austin Vaughan, Mayo County Librarian, and Brendan Martin, Wicklow County Librarian were selected to represent the Section on the Local Government Anti-Poverty Learning Network. - Thomas Davis Lecture Series: To celebrate 100 years of public libraries in Ireland, RTE, in association with An Chomhairle Leabharlanna / Library Council, ran a series of lectures on the history of libraries in this country. Several county and city librarians contributed to the programme which was widely praised and was repeated in the autumn.
- Public Library Research Programme A pilot project to test a number of models for provision of library services in rural areas, with particular emphasis on remote areas and islands, was initiated in Donegal County Library under this programme. The findings will be made available in 2003.
- Cultural Heritage Project Three projects submitted by Irish public libraries (Mayo County Library, Dublin City Public Libraries and Waterford City Library) were selected as Cultural Heritage Projects. These pilot projects will assist the learning process and subsequent development of a projected National Digitisation Programme in which all local authorities are invited to participate.
- Personnel Helen Kilcline, Roscommon County Librarian, retired towards the end of the year. She was librarian in Roscommon since 1973 and had worked previously in Limerick City and Galway County Libraries. She is the author of Galway Authors and Roscommon Authors. Her professional contribution was much valued over the years. She will be missed by all her colleagues. Teresa Walsh was appointed County Librarian for South Dublin in April 2002. Teresa has worked in Dublin City Public Libraries, the ESRI and South Dublin County Libraries. Her professional interests include quality service issues in public libraries, staff training and development, and lifelong learning.
- IFLA Conference Many members of the section attended the IFLA conference in Glasgow in August at which numerous issues of interest to the public library profession in Ireland were debated.
Government Libraries Section
Chairperson Michael O'Gorman, State Laboratory Minutes Secretary Orla Gillen, Department of Foreign Affairs Correspondence Secretary & PRO Valerie Ingram, Office of Public Works. Treasurer Ruth O'Flaherty, Attorney General's Office Committee Joseph Donnelly, Judges Library Mary Doyle, Department of Agriculture and Food Andrea Lydon, National Gallery of Ireland Donal McSweeney, Department of Agriculture and Food Niamh O'Sullivan, Irish Blood Transfusion Service.
Nine committee meetings took place in the year 2002. Nicola Maher resigned her position as Minutes Secretary at the beginning of the year to take up the opportunity of a career break. The group would all like to thank her sincerely for her contribution to the committee in her time with us. She was replaced by Orla Gillen of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Lisa Shields, who had helped the group considerably in relation to the upkeep of the GLS web-page also left the group, the work being taken over by Niamh O'Sullivan and, more recently, by Donal McSweeney and Orla Gillen. Again, many thanks to Lisa for her Trojan work.
The Annual General Meeting was held on 15 May 2002 at the Office of Public Works. Following its postponement from last year due to the Foot and Mouth crisis, the group's Copyright Seminar finally took place at the Coach House at Dublin Castle in February of this year and was hosted by Valerie Ingram of the OPW. The group would like to thank in particular the five speakers who gave up part of their day to speak at the conference as well as the group members who worked hard in the background to keep everything running smoothly.
A new electronic mailing list was set up on Topica for those employed in Government Libraries for the purposes of discussing issues of mutual interest. Further details of this can be obtained from the Minutes Secretary.
The first of what we will hope will be a continuing series of staff training sessions was held in September. It was organized for government library non-professional staff and covered areas such as evaluating reference queries, search engines on the internet, the use of Boolean search operators etc.
We have also joined with the British and Irish Association of Law Libraries to form a liaison group between legal and government libraries to deal with Government Publications Office issues.
A variety of miscellaneous issues was also discussed and dealt with during the year, including issues relating to customs clearance, government publications, European copyright developments, access policies to government libraries, VAT on books, cataloguing and archiving of electronic publications and librarians' professional status within government libraries.
As a GLS representative elected to the LAI Executive Board, Joseph Donnelly continued to provide feedback to the section on general LAI issues.
Events planned for 2003 include further training initiatives as well as a Joint Conference with our counterparts in Northern Ireland.
Health Sciences Libraries' Group
Chairperson Bernard Barrett, Mental Health Directorate, Mid-Western Health Board Secretary Timothy Collins, Medical Library, NUI, Galway Treasurer Angela Rice, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Communications Officer Niamh O'Sullivan, Irish Blood Transfusion Service Committee Members Catherine Breslin (now retired), North Western Health Board Muriel Haire, Irish Nurses Organisation Aoife Lawton, Eastern Health Shared Services Tony Linnane (now retired), Western Health Board Niamh Lucey, St Vincent's University Hospital Emma Quinn, Waterford Regional Hospital.
The Health Sciences Libraries Group had a very active year in 2002, with the election of a new committee, the hosting of two conferences, the establishment of a standards steering group, and the creation of a new website. The group held its Annual General Meeting in April 2002 in the Irish College of General Practitioners, Dublin. The committee met every two months, an average of six times a year, and endeavoured to hold meetings in different locations around the country, e.g. Tullamore, Dublin, Waterford, Galway and Limerick. The committee also have their own Topica discussion list so a lot of work can be done between meetings.
- Events Organised by the HSLG in 2002 - Copyright Seminar A one-day Seminar on Copyright given by Mary Doyle (Department of Agriculture and Food) took place in May in the ICGP, Dublin. The Seminar explored how new copyright legislation will affect medical and health sciences libraries and was well attended by HSLG members. - HSLG Annual Conference, 2002 The group's annual two-day Conference was held from 31 October to 1 November in Tullamore. Entitled Evolving with the Evidence, it examined the topic of Evidence-Based Medicine. Speakers and topics included: Anne Brice, Head of Knowledge and Information Services, National Health Service, UK and Nicola Bexon, Information Services Manager, Institute of Health Sciences, UK, on From Evidence-based Medicine to Evidence-based Practice: skills for a modern information professional; Teresa Maguire, Head of Research and Development, Health Research Board, on Health Research in Ireland: past, present and future; Jonathan Drennan, Lecturer in Nursing, University College Dublin, on How to do Health Research: design, methodology, planning, prerequisites; Andrew Murphy, Foundation Professor of General Practice, NUI, Galway, on Teaching and Instructional skills: how to plan and deliver content. The President of the LAI also addressed the meeting on the future of medical librarianship. The conference included brief product demonstrations from BMJ Publishing, Divine Information Services, MDConsult, Ovid and Swets Blackwell. These organisations and others, including book suppliers and bookbinders, had set up displays so that delegates could have a demonstration of their products. The All Ireland Cochrane Library Prize was also launched at the conference at a reception hosted by the Health Research Board.
- Projects Undertaken in 2002 - Standards Steering Group A steering group was set up in September to look at Standards in Irish Healthcare Libraries with a view to publishing a revised set of Standards for Irish Healthcare Libraries in 2003. The group meet on a monthly basis. - HSLG Website The HSLG is delighted to have a presence now on the Internet and their website is hosted by the LAI. Work has begun on this and there are plans to add more information and relevant links to the site in coming weeks. - The HSLG Discussion List The Topica discussion list, which was set up in 2001, is a great success, with members of the group using it more and more to post questions or to pass on relevant information. The list now has over 90 subscribers.
- Plans for 2003 The group hopes to examine further the training needs of its members with a view to running a series of one-day training seminars in 2003. It is also planned to publish a revised set of Standards for Irish Healthcare Libraries. Work will continue on the HSLG website, hosted though the LAI website.
Meitheal Oibre/ Irish Language Group
Meitheal Oibre/ Irish Language Librarians' working group was set up initially in 1990 to facilitate librarians who work with Irish language materials. It existed as a cross-border body although the situation with regard to provision of Irish language material and of services through the medium of Irish differs between the north and south of the country. The group worked on both a formal and an informal basis - organising seminars and talks as well as providing informal help for those providing Irish language services who were not themselves fluent speakers of the language. The group is currently in abeyance but it is hoped to start it again in the near future. For further information please contact: Mary Delargy, I.U.S.S., Aberfoyle House, Magee Campus, University of Ulster, Northland Road, Derry BT48 7JL. E-mail m.delargy@ulster.ac.uk
Munster Regional Section
Chairperson Denis Murphy, Cork County Libraries Vice Chair Grace Hooley, Cork County Libraries Secretary Niamh Cronin, Cork County Libraries Treasurer Orlagh Forde, Cork County Libraries Committee members Rosarii Buttimer, Medical Library, NUI, Cork James Cashman, Fexco, Killorglin Eibhlin Cassidy, Cork City Library Kay Condon, Cork Institute of Technology Patrick Fitzgerald, Medical Library, Tralee General Hospital Lorraine Lynch, Cork County Libraries, Emer McGrath.
Rare Books Group
Chairperson Charles Horton, Chester Beatty Library Treasurer Charles Benson, Trinity College Dublin Secretary Penelope Woods, National University of Ireland, Maynooth Committee members Marie Boran, National University of Ireland, Galway Helen Davis, National University of Ireland, Cork Joanna Finegan, National Library of Ireland Muriel McCarthy, Marsh's Library Siobhan O'Rafferty, Royal Irish Academy.
The Annual General Meeting was held on 7 February in Marsh's Library, chaired by Charles Horton. Marie Boran and Joanna Finegan retired from their respective posts of secretary and treasurer and were thanked for their hard work and commitment. The officers and committee for 2002 were elected as above. The committee met on six occasions: 7 February, 10 April, 8 May, 26 July, 18 September and 16 October with all meetings taking place in the National Library.
During the year, the following members were co-opted: Julia Cummins (Farmleigh), Teresa Whitington (Central Catholic Library), Ken Bergin (University of Limerick)
- Talks There were two evening talks during the year. On 10 April in Marsh's Library, Mr. Kenneth Nicholls, distinguished medieval historian, gave an address on The Books in my House: from decretals to fashion in which he proved himself to be a keen collector with a great fund of eclectic knowledge. On 16 October Anne Brady, graphic designer and typographer, gave an excellent illustrated talk on the Dolmen Press. Several of those present had known its founder, Liam Miller, and the exchange after the talk was particularly interesting. High tea in the Parliament Hotel before the evening meeting has now become a regular fixture.
- Outing On Saturday 13 July 2002, there was a visit to Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park where librarian Julia Cummins showed us some superb examples from the Guinness collection, built up by the 3rd Earl of Iveagh. The collection is being catalogued and researchers are welcomed. There was a tour of the house followed by lunch in hot sunshine at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and a visit subsequently to çras an Uachtarain where there is a fine collection of historic photographs on display as a prelude to the tour of the house itself.
- Annual Seminar The annual seminar was held in Galway this year, on 8 November at the Victoria Hotel. It was entitled Outside the Mainstream: aspects of Irish publishing, 1880-1930. Clare Hutton of the Institute of English Studies, University of London, gave a comprehensive opening address on the theme of Publishing the Literary Revival. Mary Clancy followed with a lively talk on women's writing in Irish periodicals of the period. Teresa Moriarty of the Labour History Museum travelled from Dublin, gave an excellent paper on Irish socialist reading during those fifty years and then sped off to give another talk at the other end of the country! Bill McCormack, recently retired Professor of Literary History at Goldsmiths College in London gave a beautifully crafted and intriguing paper on early attempts to publish Roger Casement. Regina Ui Chollatain provided an excellent finale in presenting a paper based on her detailed research on An Claidheamh Soluis agus Fáinne an Lae.
Western Regional Section
Chairperson Margaret Waldron, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Secretary Siobhain Arkins, School Library, Galway Community College, Moneenageisha, Galway Treasurer Majella King, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.
The Annual General Meeting of the Western Regional Section of the LAI took place on 17 May 2002 in the library boardroom of the Western Health Board Headquarters at Merlin Park, Galway. Twenty-two members were present on the day and Mr. Tony Linnane, Senior Librarian, Western Health Board, gave a presentation on the Health Board Library service. Members also got a guided tour of the new Health Library located in Merlin Park. The existing committee was re-elected to serve for another year. Suggestions for a training day for members were discussed. Following on these discussions, a one-day seminar, which will include a presentation on Branching Out (the report on Public Library Services in Ireland) and a presentation on Lionra (the academic libraries network), is being arranged for early 2003.
Youth Libraries' Group
Committee Anne Gannon, Dublin City Public Libraries Mary McLaughlin, Dublin City Public Libraries Laura O Broin (Treasurer), St. Michael's School Librarian Helen O'Donnell, Tipperary Joint Libaries Committee Ciara Farrell, Dublin City Public Libraries Teresa Carley, Meath County Library Mary O'Driscoll, Wicklow County Library Noelle Ringwood, Wicklow County Library Ciara Cunnane, Donegal County Library Lynda Beasley, Fingal Libraries Mary Bohan, Leitrim County Library Pauline Brennan, Sligo County Library Mary Griffin, Dublin City Public Libraries.
The Annual General Meeting of the Youth Libraries Group was held on 22 March in Blanchardstown Library. We were given a guided tour of Blanchardstown Library by Senior Librarian Bernadette Fennell and were very impressed by the range of facilities on offer under one roof. The Committee for 2002/2003 was elected.
The committee met on three occasions this year. Because of the geographical spread and the difficulty in being released from work commitments, many members of the committee were not able to attend meetings on a regular basis. However we are mindful of the contribution that each person has to make, and did manage to keep in touch by e-mail and telephone. The first task we set ourselves was to improve communications. We contacted each library authority and identified a contact person with whom we would communicate on matters relating to children's librarianship. This contact list has already proved invaluable and we hope to expand and update it. Anyone interested in joining our e-mailing list should contact us at ylg@libraryassociation.ie.
Two committee members, Mary McLaughlin and Anne Gannon, served on the organising committee for this year's Children's Book Festival. The committee, which comprised the two YLG members, the Director of Children's Books Ireland, a board member of CBI and the festival co-ordinator, met on a monthly basis between January and November. This year, for the first time, the Festival employed a full-time coordinator, Irma McLoughlin, and this has made a huge difference to how the Children's Book Festival is run and promoted.
On 5 September the YLG organised a well attended meeting for representatives from all library authorities to meet Irma and be introduced to the new aspects of this year's festival, the CBI website and the nationwide library 'Vote for your favourite book' competition.
As usual, YLG members from around the country reviewed books for the Bookfest list of recommended books and Mary McLaughlin was section editor for age 8-11 section. In all, over 500 events took place in libraries, schools and bookshops around the country and the impressive press book compiled by Kate Bowe PR clearly showed the spread, variety and success of events in local libraries. Congratulations to all who took part!
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Obituaries
The Executive Board noted with regret the deaths of past members of the Association: Beatrice Batt, Dublin City Public Libraries. Deirdre Clarke, Trinity College Dublin.
Acknowledgements
The Association would like to thank An Chomhairle Leabharlanna for making facilities for meetings available to the Association and for use of an office and correspondence address at 53 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2.We would also like to thank Mr. Eddie Byrne for maintaining the Association's website (www.libraryassociation.ie). We thank Dublin City Public Libraries, Fingal County Libraries and the Royal Irish Academy who have kindly provided additional storage facilities. We also acknowledge the support of all institutions which have kindly facilitated the work of the Honorary Officers and members of the Executive Board. Finally, we would like to extend our thanks to the Tipperary Joint Libraries Committee for inviting the Executive Board to hold their October meeting in their Library Headquarters in Thurles and for the hospitality provided during their visit.
Membership
As of December 31st 2002, personal membership stood at 501, with 71 institutional members.
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