Alex Byrne has been elected President of the Council of Australian
University Librarians for the next two years. He replaces John
Shipp, University of Wollongong, who has served as CAUL President
since 1992.
Media Release 28 October, 1996
Alex Byrne has been elected President of the Council of Australian
University Librarians for the next two years. He replaces John
Shipp, University of Wollongong, who has served as CAUL President
since 1992.
Mr Byrne is currently Director of Information Services and Chief Librarian at the Northern Territory University with responsibility for the University's library, information technology, media, open learning, remote area training and distance education services (and the community radio station!).
He has been active in the Australian Library and Information Association, the International Federation of Library Associations, the Australian Council of Libraries and Information Services (NT Branch) and various specialist groups - mainly related to information technology. As one of the two initial ordinary members of the CAUL Executive and subsequently Vice President, he was involved in many of the recent developments in CAUL's role and operations. Mr Byrne has represented CAUL in a number of ways including membership of the Improved Information Infrastructure Project Steering Committee and as coordinator of the CAUL Performance Indicators Project.
"CAUL has come a long way in the last 5-6 years, said Mr Byrne. "Thanks to the efforts of the Executive, and John Shipp in particular, it is now recognised as the authoritative voice on academic library and information issues and is influential with the AVCC and DEETYA. CAUL is beginning to achieve much by promoting collaborative ventures between university libraries and with other parties in Australia and overseas. This work must continue and be strengthened.
"However, there are other issues which will demand more of our attention including the big international agendas in copyright law, looming industrial relations issues, continuing consequences of the 'convergence' of libraries and information technology services, bibliographic control/access in the electronic environment, maintenance of research collections, responding to the expansion of flexible and open learning, fostering professional development and leadership, etc.
"All these issues involve other parties, including other library bodies, but it is important that university libraries continue to have an influential and effective voice."
Media contacts:
Diane Costello Alex Byrne Executive Officer Director Information Services and Council of Australian University Chief Librarian Librarians Northern Territory University LPO Box 169, Australian National PO Box 41246, Casuarina, NT 0811 University AUSTRALIA Canberra ACT 2601 Tel 61-8-8946 6192 Fax 61-8-8945 Tel +61 6 249 2990 Fax +61 6 248 1317 8571 Email: alex.byrne@ntu.edu.au Email: diane.costello@anu.edu.au http://www.ntu.edu.au/library/ http://www.anu.edu.au/caul