On 15 May 2010, 140 LAS members gathered for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Concorde Hotel on Orchard Road. This was the first time LAS AGM was held in May. In the past AGMs were held in March. The constitution was changed at the 2009 AGM that the AGM be held not later than the last day of May.
Puspa Yeow, LAS President, welcomed members and highlighted the main events of the past year. The first focus last year was on supporting professional development through the Professional Development Scheme, professional talks, seminars and publications. The second focus was on building the next generation through awards, career fair, and development of training for paraprofessionals.
The minutes of last year’s AGM were vetted and approved. Matters arising were reported on. Yit Chin Chuan, LAS Treasurer, went through the Treasurer’s Report.
Rafi, LAS Webmaster, did a demonstration of the new online payment system. The AGM approved the new means of payment. A member proposed that besides membership payments, it could be used for payment for training courses, conference fees, etc.
Isabella Trahn, Training and Development Commitee, presented the background to the training planned for support staff. The library competency standards were proposed and approved by the Work Development Authority (WDA). Some 10 LAS members had obtained ACTA certification and ready to develop and teach the new courses. The first course would cover Reference and Information Enquiry which is planned for September 2010. The course fees had been proposed and with WDA subsidy, it would be very affordable. The venue would be NLB Academy at Toa Payoh.
Gene Tan, LAS Vice President, reported that the LAS conference would be held in spring, April 2011. He thanked everyone who contributed to the LAS Tri-Event held in October 2009. He also announced the upcoming IFLA satellite conference to be held 11-12 October 2010 titled “When Nations Remember”. The conference is organised by NLB with the support of IFLA and LAS.
He also reported on the LAS Online Community. Two groups were lined up to join the community, the Arts Librarians and Business Librarians. The new online community would ride on the knowledge services infrastructure being built by NLB.
The AGM then deliberated on the proposed changes to the LAS Constitution with the re-wording of the membership category for senior membership generating the most discussion.
The latest batch of librarians being recognised under the Professional Development Scheme were presented with their certificates by Puspa Yeow, LAS President. This was followed by lunch and lots of conversation.
Contributed by Yeo Pin Pin