LIANZA/SLIS Mid-winter networking party

As you can see from the pictures a good time was had by all at the SLIS/LIANZA Wellington region party. Building on an event established by SLIS, we combined forces to get local librarians and information professionals together to meet new people and reconnect with others. SLIS made a selection of super cocktails, accompanied by delicacies from All About Catering, and we gathered in the Boardroom of the Museum of Wellington, City and Sea.

With the galleries open we were also able to browse the displays of local history and creativity. The place is fabulous, museum staff were great, and lots of SLIS and LIANZA came out, some with partners and little ones in tow. Hopefully we will be able to repeat this annually as it is a great opportunity for meeting with LIANZA National Council members and staff, as well as each other.

Being on the regional committee : a personal perspective

It's that time of year again; the time when the various regions announce that their AGMs are coming up and seek nominations for their committees. Maybe you've read one of these announcements on nz-libs and thought about putting yourself forwards, but have wondered what is involved?

I've been on the Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui (Wellington) Regional Committee for the past year. I have just resigned because I am leaving Wellington but I would definitely be sticking with the Committee if I was going to be around. I thought I would give a personal perspective on what I have put into (and gotten out of) being on the Regional Committee.

The time commitment varies, but I would say on average, I have spent less than an hour a week on the committee. We have a meeting once a month that goes for 1-2 hours (fuelled by chocolate biscuits!), and in-between those meetings there is usually some work to be done. The Secretary has to write up the minutes and prepare the agenda for the next meeting; the Treasurer pays money into and out of the accounts and prepares a monthly financial report (thanks, Anne - better you than me); and Charlotte our Chair keeps everything ticking over in a project management type role. Everyone else is involved in organising the different events that we hold - coming up with ideas, contacting speakers, booking venues, organising the food and drinks... We are very much a hands-on committee - everyone puts in as much time and energy as they can, and when an event is on, it's all hands on deck making sure that the event runs smoothly.

So, why would you want to put this time in serving on a regional committee, here in Wellington or in the other regions?

Well, firstly, I wanted a chance to meet librarians from different sectors from mine, and to help plan events for the library community in Wellington. This year I've been able to work with a passionate bunch of librarians from very different organisations to help organise Christmas drinks, a visit to the Medical Libary, a joint cocktails-and-networking evening with SLIS, and seminar sessions about the IFLA Conference and the remuneration survey. As well as being informative, these have also been fun events. There has usually been some nattering over a glass of wine, as well as serious professional development and networking. (Nobody said you can't do both at the same time!)

I also thought the Regional Committee would be a good chance to gain some new skills. This is definitely true! During my year on the committee I have learned how to configure and contribute to blogs (this one), work collaboratively across different institutions with tools like Basecamp and Google Groups, and run online surveys. I will now be able to transfer these new skills to my work and personal life if I want to: trying these web tools "for real", not in the context of a training course, has definitely been the best way to learn how to use them.

And finally, I wanted to give something back to a professional association that I have found invaluable throughout my library career so far. Being new to Wellington in 2001 and embarking on the MLIS, LIANZA gave me a way to meet other librarians, to get to know leaders and mentors from the profession and to broaden my understanding of what librarianship was all about. After six years, I decided that it was my turn to help contribute to those learning and networking opportunities, rather than just turning up and enjoying the fruits of other people's labour.

Being on the Committee has been a great experience, and I would encourage anyone who wants to meet other librarians, learn new skills and give something back to the profession to put themselves forward at this year's AGM. Your ideas and energy will be welcome!