The ALIA New Generation Advisory Committee is currently looking for two new members. Being a member of NGAC is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the LIS profession in Australia and your professional development.

Since launching our recruitment last month, I’ve received a few queries and thought I’d share my answers here.

What does the New Generation Advisory Committee do?

“NGAC exists to help strengthen the participation of recently graduated library and information professionals in the Association. The Committee provides advice to the ALIA Board of Directors on issues of relevance to students and new professionals. The Committee works to provide information to the Board and National Office staff to inform development and delivery of services for new professional and student members, with the aim of ensuring the Association’s relevance to these groups.” – ALIA NGAC Manual

Plainly speaking, I personally believe there are two main roles of NGAC – connector and facilitator. As a connector, NGAC is your direct link to the ALIA Board. Through our engagement with the professional community, online and face-to-face, we have our eyes and ears out for issues, trends and concerns related to new library and information professionals. We help raise and advise on these with the Association towards better services and initiatives, and in turn, strengthen the future of our profession.

As a profession, we need to be responsive to the constantly changing environment around us. And to do that, we need to talk to each other and share our experiences. So as a facilitator, NGAC contributes to keeping the conversation going. Not just with new library and information professional issues, but we also encourage conversation among our community and network about broader industry issues and trends. You may have participated in our recent #auslibchat!

What’s the difference between NGAC and the Students & New Graduates Group?

Having now been involved with both the Student and New Graduates Group and NGAC, I can say they are different experiences. NGAC has a strategic advisory role within the Association, looking at new library and information professional issues across the country, while Students and New Graduates Group are ‘on the ground’, actively providing opportunities for networking and professional development opportunities at a local level. So with these bases covered, NGAC and the Students and New Graduates Group are well positioned to work together in achieving a common objective – increase student and new graduate participation and engagement with the profession.

Do I need to be a librarian?

No, you don’t. In fact, we have committee members from a variety of information sectors. We’re keen to hear different perspectives, for example, archives, information and records management, museums, academic, government, corporate, etc.

And…what about GLAM connections?

There are certainly opportunities here to further build our relationships with similar groups in Australia, and abroad. We need to identify those opportunities and explore where we can potentially work together.

Do I need to include references in my resume?

Selection is based on the skills and experience you bring (as demonstrated on your resume) and your response to the criteria.

If you wish to consider applying for an NGAC position (and please do!), I strongly recommend having a look at the position description and selection criteria and if this seems like the opportunity your looking for in contributing to the profession, then get started on your application!

Alisa Howlett – Chair, ALIA New Generation Advisory Committee