Progress+Report

4 Aug

Emailed Judy again hoping for a reply. Emailed list letting them know what has been happening and not happening.

24 July

Have made the hardest decision in working life. I am taking extended sick leave from the TFS due to ongoing health issues and when or if I go back I will not return to the library on a permeant basis. I am now hypoadrenia (or something like that).This makes it even harder to cope with any sort of pressure plus low blood pressure, light-headedness, and other symptoms. Will probably turn out to be Addison's Disease. I am just so frustrated!!! 21 July

Followed up with another email to Judy. Really don't know what I will do if this falls through. Had really thought it would be housed at ALIA. You can only ask so many times and if a response isn't given that’s it. I have too many other issues to deal with. At least images will be on Flicker. It is just a pity that something this important can go down the tube because the professional body won't support it or even get back to me.

13 July

Caught up on 'reflections' and emailed Judy. Hope to try and get past just my outline for paper but will wait and see. Just may have to take time off from work to do this.

8 July Haven't been adding any photos to Flickr as I am waiting to hear back from Judy about her offer. WIll contact her next week to give her a chance to catrch up on backlog of emails.

4 -6 July Completed a photograghy course with Tania B in Geelong. It was great fun and learnt a whole lot. HAve also learnt stuff that will be useful for project that I did not know before.

22 June I wonder what else can go wrong health wise. I am so sick of this!!! Cortizone that I was taking for platelets has affected adrinal gland and am now hypoadrinal - tired, not sleeping memory (or rather what memory) muscle fatigue. The worst of it all is the effect it is having on my work, I have a really great boss but it isn't fair that she is having to carry a lot of my work load. I also hate wondering what I have done worng when I know I should be doing better. Just makes me get more stressed and depressed. I really wish I could give up work!!. Now I have even more delays in project because I am just too tired at night. God I hope I don't fall flat on my face with this. I REALLY want to present a fantastic report. At the moment it is going to be smaller than I had hoped. I have some great friends in the industry who have been a great support.

12 June

While in Melbourne I interviewed Kerrie, Gail and myself. It was fun getting it all worked out as we used microphone on laptop and to get a better sound we had to pass it around. Took us a few hours longer than I thought. Poor husband had to wait and couldn't get in touch with me because naturally I had my phone off!.

4 June

Jean has recieved digital recorder and as Jean is off overseasa she has forwarded it on to other members for me.

2 June

Package has been sent to WA.

23 May 2009

Have finally sent out my digital recorder so I can get interview from those in other states. Sending it first to Adelaide to Kathy and then on to Perth. My biggest fear is that it will get lost in all of this. I have included in the parcel blank discs, copy of questions and extra overnight parcel bags. Emailed those concerned to let them know it is on the way.

11 May 2009 HAd a reply from Judy : //"I have just managed to get the boss's permission to set up a virtual server, which he is happy for you to use for your Dunn and Wilson project and for me to use for my cataloguing unit revisions//."

I am so pleased as this is a weight off my shoulders. I give Judy time to organise this and then get back to her.

5 May 2009

Bit the bullet and decided to find other options for storage of my project. Decided to see if ECU could house it (emailed Judy Clayden). Not sure what will happen if I can't find a home for it. Really disappointed in ALIA for lack of support in this even though I know they are having a few issues with other things. If doesn't go ahead with Judy will try some of the State Libraries - National, VIC and NSW.

4 May 2009

Catching up on my progress report here as I have been very slack over the last 6 months in updating (see from June reports and those entries with an *). In process of getting paper together though this is slow. I am still waiting on hearing back from ALIA about Kete database and its suitability.

.................... to be continued

27 April 2009

Sent my 2nd progress report to ALIA for BOD and to Kevin.

20 April 2009

Have been maddly adding photos to Flickr. I still don't wish to go this way but until something is worked out at ALIA at least images I have can be viewed.

1 - 9 April 2009

Operation went well though I have not gotten as much done as I had hoped.HAve spent most of this time laying on lounge watching DVDs as I get tired easily. Had hoped to go back to work on 7th but didn't happen.

23 March 2008 *

Going in to have left thyroid out tomorrpw. Not sure if I am keen on this but it is too late to pull out. 2 - 3 weeks off work so hopefully I can get some work done.

Must catch up with events from last 5 months

NLS presentation and

28 November 2008 *

Fly to Brisbane and then on to Melbourne for NLS.

31 October 2008 *

Visited Canberra for River of Opportunity. This provided me with a great opportunity to catch up with friends and to make new ones. Dinner on the lake was wonderful and I took lots of photos. After various presentation I ham now swinging backwards and forwards between, tags and subject heading and am having trouble deciding the best way to go. I have also decided to create a Flickr account to use until databas issues are sorted. Following this I spent time scanning documents and photos from the Canberra Conference held in 1997. Also spoke to David and Sadiur at ALIA about issues for the storage of database at ALIA. They have suggested maybe a blog be set up on the ALIA website but am not sure if I am happy with this. It was also suggested I use Microoft Access. I wish I was able to do more but health is not allowing me.Thanks to Beth for hospitality.

6 October 2008 *

Visited the Melbourne Techs at the Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne for a reunion and to talk about my project. Caught up with some long term members as well as new. Organised to interview various members when I can get back to Melbourne. Thanks to all for their assistance.

Visit to Canberra for River of Opportunity ahs been finalised, Brisbane for their Christmas lunch on 29 November followed by NLS in December.

2 October 2008

Sent article for InCite in today.

26 September 2008

Drafted general questions for oral history interviews for library technicians and added to wiki.

22 September 2008

Copyright form have been sent to ALIA for be finalised and I am just waiting to hear back.

Visits have been organised for Melbourne on Oct 4th, Canberra for Rivers of Opportunity on 25-26 October, NLS in December. Proposed visits are in the planning stage for Brisbane and Sydney and I hope to get to Darwin sometime in the near future as well. Will flights after visit to specialist next week (29 Sept)

September 2008

The past few months have been a bit of a non event due to health issues. For those who may read this my platelet count went down to 20,000. The normal range is between 150 - 450, 000. This has required me to go on a rather large dose of cortisone steroids which has some really interesting side effects that has not only affected me being able to carry out my normal work but also my project. While I am still on the tablets the dosage is slowly being reduced which appears to make some of the symptoms easier to manage even though my platelet count has not gone up to normal levels. At least I feel I am now able to do attempt to get back on track with my project. I still have more test ahead of me and more specialists to see and have accepted that this will not be a short term ‘illness’.

11 August 2008 *

Sent my progress report to ALIA for the Board of Directors. A copy of the report can be found here.

3 August 2008 *

Planning is underway for my visit to Brisbane and Canberra later in the year. Hoping health will allow these to go ahead as at the moment I am unable to get much done at all. I hat Cortizone steriods with a passion!

23 - 27 June 2008

Cairns!! Before presetation to Cairns group visited Green Island, Kuranda. Loved Green Isalnd or rather snorkling on the Reef. Talk and dinner to Cairns group went really great. They had 16 members attend which has been the most so far. Made it really worthwhile cutting short my touring for the day! They are so interested in my project. They are a fantastic group and told them they should have a LT conference up there (a back to basic conference without all the 'bells and smells' to keep cost down). Will have to work on them I think.

16 - 23 June 2008

In between speending time with cousins from USA for 2 weeks worked on my PowerPoint Presentation for Cairns group ( and future talks). Spending time show family Sydney, Orange and Blue Mts. over a 5 day period. Fantastic time

4 - 8 June 2008

Visit to Perth. Had a fantastic visit with Judy Clayden where we talked about my project, her thesis and then got Judy to talk about LTs, ALIA and other events for 3 hours. It was well worth it. On Friday night I also caught up with 2 members of the WALT group for dinner. We had a great time. Unfortunately I was unable to catch up with either Lothar or Liam to interview them. Tried to arrange it but they did not response to my request asking them if they were interested. I will see what eventuates.

31 May - 3 June 2008

Visit to Adelaide. Catch up with the 'old' SALT group for dinner on Sunday night. Had a great time where I explained my project to them and what I am looking for. It was also a chance to catch up with old friends too. On Tuesday I visited Jeannine Hooper (ALIA LLO), Chris Price from TAFE and others to again discuss my project.

Between Canberra and Adelaide Between Canberra and Adelaide I have come to realise I really miss this professional interaction that too me is so lacking in Tasmania. That is the difference I think with having groups that are active and pro-active in organising activities and events. It has made feel like moving just to have this.

21 May 2008

Started writing up notes from Canberra. Will not be able to spend too much time over the next month as I am preparing for visit by some family members from the USA in June (10 in all).

15 - 19 May 2008

Left for Canberra. Visited the National Library on Friday and Monday where I met with a number of people involved in some of the various digitization project the National LIbrary has going. (see write up from my various visits listed later). ALso visited ALIA and spoke to the staff there. It was great to catch up with all. Had some of my questions answered. On Saturday tI got together with some of the 'old' Canberra group members over dinner. It was a chance to trial the recording capabilities of my laptop (didn't go too well). We also went through a lot of the material Ursula and others have horded. I will be getting together with them again at a later date. Beth was kind enough to put me up for the weekend. Thank you.

14 April 2008

Created a digital story using PhotoStory.

7 April 2008

Contacted Picture Australia to see if I could visit while I am in Canberra - Fiona Hooten Sent email to Claire in Cairns organising details of visit Update wiki with draft questions for Oral history and started on a list of names - excuse spelling guys

31 March 2008 Visited Carmel Denholm at the State Library who is responsible for cataloguing the library's images. She was extrememly helpful and has provided me with lots of information.

25 March Sent emails to the various group about planned visits to Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns with information/images I am looking for.

Added that information to wiki

24 March 2008 Booked tickets Between Alice and Melbourne return with Tania. Will book accommodation when Enola gets back to work.

18 Mach 2008

Received notification that paper has been excepted for Dreaming 08 Conference in Alice Springs. Boy this is a BIG step!

6 March 2008

Organised and booked tickets for Canberra for May 15 - 19, 2008.

3 March 2008

Started article for Technique which is due at end of week at the latest.

29 February 2008

Rang ALIA and spoke to Marie and wished her all the best in her retirement. Also spoke to Robyn about timing of visit to Canberra to work out the IT details of project.

26 February 2008

Spoke to Claudia Davies the LLO in Brisbane about visiting there later in the year. (Wondering how I am going to fit in all this travel and will scholarship pay for it all)

25 February 2008

Setting up form to go with each image received with required information Updating wiki Booked flights to Cairns for myself and 'cousins from USA. While there I am catching up with LTs' from the Far North

7 February 2008

Being to realise the enormity of the project. Knew all along that the project WILL NOT end in 2009 but is ongoing but reality is beinging to hit home. Scary really. Submitted abstract to Dreaming 08 on project and where I am at.

3 February 2008

Started organising travel details for Perth and Adelaide Reading and making notes from various documents for background information.

18 January 2008

Sent email asking for the following: As part of my project I would like to get photographs/images of the following that reflects our early history. If you have any information and/or photos could you email me before sending any of the images to : rebeccaevans@bigpond.com. • The first issue of the Australian Library Technician Association News was published in Melbourne for Victorian technicians • 1st national workshop on library technicians held in Melbourne. It produced Guidelines for the education of library technicians. • The first issue of the N.S.W. Library Technician Newsletter “The paraprofessional Newsletter” was published. • The first issue of the Queensland Association of Library Technicians Newsletter was published. • The first issue of the Library Technician’s Section Newsletter was published. • The formation of the South Australian Library Technician group and the first issue of the S.A.L.T. newsletter was published. • The first issue of the Australian Library Technician Association. Tasmanian Division Newsletter was published. Photos of the early LT of Year and D&W award winners. Photos from the following conferences: • 1983 2nd National Library Technician Conference Meeting the Challenges held in Hobart Tasmania. (August 18 – 21) • 1985 3rd National Library Technician Conference held in Canberra, ACT (March 27 – 30) • 1987 4th National Library Technician Conference Library technicians: paraprofessional in the information workplace held in Melbourne, Victoria (28- 31 October). • 1983 2nd National Library Technician Conference Meeting the Challenges held in Hobart Tasmania. (August 18 – 21)

7 January 2008

Emailed letter to Natarsha - LLO for WA about proposed visit to Perth in June asking if there are any proposed ALIA functions Emailed Sonia - ALIA 200 Biennial Conference convenor about most cost effective way to get to the conference. Emailed other State LLOs informing them of my project details and finding out about proposed events Emailed various "rural' ALIA groups as well as National & State library technicians' group convenors

Groups contacted:
 * ALIA Red Centre Group
 * ALIA Far North Coast Regional Group
 * Geraldton Mid-West (WA)
 * Riverina (NSW/VIC)
 * TropicALIA (QLD)
 * ALIA Top End
 * ALIA National Library Technician Group
 * State Library Technician groups - QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC, TAS, SA, WA,

2 January 2008

Sent letter to InCite editor re timing of proposed articles in InCite during 2008.

Sent Contact details to Marie

17 December 2007

Teleconference with Sue, Marie at ALIA. Discussed various details of project
 * ALIA Logo on WIKI - use star with name (not able to as it is too big in size)
 * Contact LLO for each state to let them know when I plan to visit so I can try to tie it in with local events
 * Contact Jane LLO for Tasmania.
 * Advise BOD of details 2-3 times during the life of the project
 * Contact ALIA Retirees group as a source of infromation
 * Keep in contact with 07 & 09 conference committees
 * Use lists to request information
 * Familiaris myself with the copyright and publishing pages on ALIA website
 * New ALIA database to be implemented in May 2008

14 December 2007

Talked with Marie at ALIA in preparation for teleconference on Monday with Sue, Robyn, Marie. Worked out what needs to be worked out. Business cards, ethical issues, photos & possible ways to publish completed project, sources of further information - Library schools, State & National Libraries, various members & past members, library suppliers like Raeco. Discussing the best time to come to Canberra for face-to-face meeting.

Added new page to wiki for image database information

Updated To Do List

1 December 2007

Had my big bash for my 50th birthday. Things might now get back on track for project.

24 November 2007

Added a new pages for notes on compiling oral history.

22 November 2007

Added detailed timeline to wiki and another image.

18 November 2007

Fluffed out the scope of project ready for teleconference with ALIA mentors & IT personnel. Explored some sites with audio including ALIA & [|The Knowledge Tree]

9 November 2007

Have been madly getting things organised for my 50th birthday later this month so not much has been done on project. I am finding a bit frustrating but knew this month would be mostly out.

On project stay tuned as I plan to upload more pictures to site at being of December.


 * __21 October 2007__**

Sent email to list giving some of the information I require.

The information I require for each image is:

If you are thinking of collecting copies of photos and document for me to add to the database I am setting up here are a few details/requirements that will need to be met before you start.

Conversion Method Resolution**
 * Media and Document Type

35 mm Black & White & Colour slide or negative Slide Scanner 24-bit, 1200 dpi

Medium to Large Format photograph, slide, negative, transparency or colour microfiche Digital camera or Drum Scanner 24-bit (or higher), 300 dpi

Black & white text document Flatbed scanner or digital camera 1-bit, 300 or 600 dpi

Names of person/s in the photo, date, location &/or event, name of photographer if possible (also needed for copyright purposes), and subject. Before sending me any photos I will need to get a release form filled in. This is just to get those who would like to provide images for me. If you are unable to get copies to me I will be visiting various capitals to collect and scan images/document myself.


 * __18 October 2007__**

Emailed National Library as for information on standards and guideline for the collection and storage of digital images.

Also started getting information on collecting oral history and conducting oral history interviews.

Created the wiki and structure.
 * __15 October 2007__**

Learnt how to add pages, links and pictures to my wiki. May