Communiqué from LIAC following the meeting of 19-20 October 2005
LIAC welcomed updates from:
- John Garraway, Library and Information Association of New Zealand, Aotearoa (LIANZA) President, on LIANZA’s new direction;
- Barbara Garriock and Fiona Rigby, Electronic Products in Collaboration (EPIC), on the issues and challenges facing EPIC in its second phase of procurement;
- Winston Roberts, National Library and Paul Alexander, Ministry of Economic Development, who talked the group through the latest news from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS); and,
- LIAC Commissioner Brian Pauling who updated the group on a recently attended conference on Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) in Melbourne.
LIAC made a formal approach to the National Library to include LIAC Commissioner, Paul Reynolds as part of the government delegation traveling to the WSIS event in Tunisia, in mid-November 2005. Paul is in a good position to be a strong advocate for WSIS in New Zealand – informing libraries, the information community and New Zealanders.
In relation to the 2005/06 Workplan, Commissioners will share responsibility for individual aspects of the National Digital Strategy ensuring that LIAC keeps an “ear to the ground” on developments within the sector. This will ensure that LIAC is able to provide effective and timely advice to the Minister and achieve its vision – “Aotearoa, New Zealand – a leading information democracy”. Responsibilities are:
- Ainslie Dewe: E-learning initiatives;
- Chris Szekely: E-local government;
- Paul Reynolds: the National Content Strategy and the People’s Network;
- Brian Pauling: the Broadband Challenge, Advanced Network and the Telecommunications Act Review;
- Evelyn Tobin: Whānau Connections; and
- New Commissioner: Connecting Communities.
Work has started with the National Library on the nomination process for a new LIAC Commissioner.
LIAC acknowledged Karl du Fresne’s significant contribution as Commissioner during the previous two years and wished him well for the future; thanked Marian Hobbs for her contribution to the library and information sector over the last three years and welcomed the opportunity to work closely with the new Minister Responsible for the National Library, Hon. Judith Tizard.
Ainslie Dewe
Chair, LIAC
31 October 2005