All change at the AGM
Margo Stewart
It wasn't the Kodak Theatre, there were no statuettes in sight but this year's AGM was a time for multiple and well deserved expressions of gratitude - from Margaret Forrest to the committee for their tremendous support, to Gillian Strachan for the regional meetings and report, to SHSC for hosting the event and to Margaret for her outstanding work as chair over the last four years.
Chair's report
In her final report as Chair, Margaret described the successful developments of the last year. The agreement with SLIC (Scottish Library and Information Council) underpinned the legal position of the Union List, and along with representation at the CILIPS Branches and Groups Day, helped to raise the profile of SHINE in the wider community while the increase in membership and participation in the Union List has emphasised the ongoing strength of the network despite the many changes. Margaret stated that her legacy is the change from a small committee performing all tasks to the current high levels of participation, especially from the NHS, by co-opting members onto working groups.
Working Group Reports
There followed short presentations from the chairs of the working groups. Charlotte Boulnois, in her usual inimitable style, requested suggestions for further CPD activities and reported on a successful session on reference work for paraprofessionals. Two events planned for this year are on health assessments and on legal issues affecting all libraries (not just NHS). The latter session may be held in conjunction with CILIPS or HLG and will probably cover freedom of information or similar but definitely not the dreaded copyright. Cathy Smith, for the Publications Group, spoke on the planned improvements to online Interim and requested articles on general interest topics as well as for the themed issues on history and research planned for later this year. Next was Richard German who emphasised the strength of the Union List (the number of participating institutions is still rising) and expressed the intention to develop the online version now that we have the SLIC agreement - and therefore greater access to expertise in the field. Richard also mentioned the stockpile of blue forms and the impossibility of providing usage statistics due to the NHS/CLA agreement. Lynn Easton closed this part of the meeting by showing us pictures of handsome waiters and piles of food - SPHEN (Public Health Networking for those not in the know) is obviously the group to join!!
Charlotte then reassured us, on Gill's behalf, that there is money in the kitty - so no excuse for not suggesting study days etc. For some strange reason (not), the committee kept mentioning that Gill was in sunnier climes.
Hazel Williamson Bursary
The meeting was informed that, following a strong application, this year's bursary has been awarded to Janice Grant, Ayr Hospital. Janice will be attending the HLG conference in Belfast. Well done, Janice!
SHINE strategy/ committee
As Margaret received the final version of the consultation process report such a short time before the meeting, she reported the committee's principal proposals from Appendix 3 before announcing the result of the committee voting. The new committee will comprise Gill Earl, Katrina Dalziel, Cathy Smith, Andy Jackson, Lynn Easton and Malcolm Dobson. Cathy Smith was elected unopposed as Chair and stated she is looking forward to encouraging personal development so that more people can see themselves as "of Chair material". Cathy hopes the proposed mentorship programme will assist with this and wants to ensure that the committee remains appropriately representative of the membership sectors.
After a slight debate re correct etiquette, Margaret closed the meeting by thanking everyone for attending and especially SHSC for the all-important nibbles.
Margo Stewart
Assistant Librarian,
University of Paisley,
University Campus Ayr
Beech Grove
Ayr KA8 0SR
01292 886382
margo.stewart@paisley.ac.uk