Earlier this year I was delighted to be appointed to the Tasmanian Library Advisory Board (TLAB) which advises the Minister for Education on issues concerning the delivery of Libraries Tasmania’s services. Libraries Tasmania brings together State Library of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Archives, 46 public libraries, the Allport Library and Museum of Fine Arts and the Office of the State Archivist. Libraries Tasmania also manages 26TEN, Tasmania’s approach to adult literacy and numeracy. All of my favourite things in one package – at our induction yesterday I felt as though I was having a Sound of Music moment.
I’m no stranger to any of these areas: my professional life has been primarily focused on public libraries and heritage programs; I was a member of the Library Council of New South Wales (the governing board of the State Library) for a maximum 9 years; I enjoyed 14 years on the State Records of NSW Advisory Committee; and I have undertaken post graduate studies in museum studies. I was part of many exciting initiatives where these agencies worked together. But Libraries Tasmania is different. With all of these areas under the one umbrella there is a tangible opportunity for significant collaboration without the confines of different agencies and levels of government.
The highlight of our induction was without doubt being face to face with the original convict records. These form part of the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register, along with the convict records for New South Wales and Western Australia.
Libraries Tasmania has many exciting things planned for the next 12 months – and I will be writing about these more along the way. For now thanks for having me onboard!
Jan Richards Consulting 