The purpose of the Lesle Symes Memorial Lecture is to commemorate outstanding special librarianship in Australia. To this end a prominent Australian special librarian is invited to deliver this lecture at the ALIA Special Libraries Section Conference, (currently known as the Asian Pacific Special, Law and Health Librarians Conference) and to share with the audience their thoughts on an issue of current importance to the profession. Lesle Symes was a very special, special librarian whose interests and activities set an outstanding example for special librarians to follow.
Previous speakers
Outstanding special librarians are invited to deliver a lecture of topical interest and one which reflects the ALIA Special Libraries Section Conference theme. Previous Lesle Symes Memorial Lectures have been given by:
- Elizabeth Swan (1985), Inaugural lecture: management of special libraries in the 1980s
- Peter Dawe (1987), The special librarian entrepreneur
- Des Tellis (1989), The Lesle Symes memorial lecture
- Ian McCallum (1991), Attitudes, technology versus service
- John Thawley (1993), The Australian library industry in transition: managing the future
- Nyree Diggins (1995), A practical approach to documenting the value of the Information Service to the financially minded
- Jane E Klobas (1997) Knowledge Management Profession
- Kathy Saurine (1999) Head in the cloudes .. feet on the ground
- Philip Kent (2001) Special librarians: past, present and future?
This year we are pleased to advise that Heather Layton will be presenting the Lesle Symes Memorial Lecture.
Heather Layton has a wide-ranging background in special libraries, having worked in medical, law and research libraries in the state and commonwealth government sectors. Since 1997 she has filled the role of national Manager Library and Information Services at the Defence Science and Technology Organisation. In that time library staff services have increased, through expansion of the client base and by proactive involvement in knowledge management developments. Heather has also filled management positions in corporate support and information systems.
Having held office in the Australian Law Librarians Group, the Australian Institute of Judicial Administration and the ALIA Special Libraries Section Heather has been involved in professional committee work at a local, state and national level. In 1995 she took a leadership role in the development of a set of Australian court library standards for commonwealth and state governments. She holds qualifications in arts, librarianship and business administration. Professional interests include management, public speaking and the strategic aspects of knowledge management.
Abstract
The paper explores the connection between several recent major Australian library events and special libraries. What can we in special libraries learn from the wider library and information scene? One of the themes to emerge from the ALIA 2002 Conference "Powering our Future" was that of partnerships and collaboration. The presenter develops the principle of collaboration as it applies to special libraries. In this final Lesle Symes Memorial Lecture the paper forecasts that the success of the special librarian of the future resides to a significant extent on the ability to form and maintain collaborative communities.
