Library and Information Research Group

1. Apologies

J Eric Davis, Linda Banwell, Pauline Blagden, Angela Conyers, Lizzie Gadd, Stella Thebridge

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2005 were accepted

3. Matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 27 April 2005

Research Strategy was accepted by Council, on Wednesday, 29 June.

Launch and dissemination now required. Regions already expressing an interest include Highlands, East Midlands and South Scotland but need local practitioners and public library involvement.

Alison Bramley and Liz Hart were suggested as starting points of contact.

Suggested “What does it mean for you on the ground?” A template for model to be developed

Disquiet expressed re AGM being held at 5:30 on Friday evening.

Research methods course

Tension between Enterprise Unit and the development of LIRG Research Methods course. Meeting with Penny and Alan to close the loop.

CR has sent of group response to Group Review questionnaire. JE to respond on the questionnaire design – all narrative and difficult to complete.

LIR – Thanks to Philip Payne for last issue

Finance – Funds ok

Last Newsletter – excellent. Congratulations to LB

Action: BF and JED to set ideas.

Action: AP to move forward with contacts.

Action: AP, BF and JED

Action: AP

Action: JE

4. Chairs Announcements

Carolynn Rankin is to step down as Hons. Secretary. Committee expressed that she would be missed. Need to appoint new secretary. Alan Poulter volunteered to take on the role of Hons. Secretary. JE would like to change directions within 1 or 2 years. CR to take on role as Umbrella contact.

Three nominations have been received to join committee and it was thought that Claire Nankivell had resigned, therefore 3 vacancies

David Ball, Proposed JE, Seconded IT

Jim Jackson, Proposed BF, Seconded JE

Jean Yeoh, Proposed CR, Seconded AP

Still need more public library staff

JT on maternity leave

Committee members to do 3 years before due for re election

CR to circulate details list for updating

BF to send message to whole group - Need to identify areas of interest and activity within areas.

Important to note that within first two years of SIG status a policy has been accepted by Council.

Action: CR

Action: BF

5.New Directions

Priority Area

Strategy and Mission Statement

LIS Agenda - overtaken in response to AHRC

CILIP to respond to main issues investigated by Government Funding Councils

Three main themes: Culture, Heritage and Knowledge

Need to know not just what but who does research and where are they situated.

Academics as a discipline, research is not being funded. Academic community starved of cash. RAE too late because departments will not get funding.

Invitation to Bob to met with LIRG to outline what can be done to get Government Funded source for research.

No more HEFCE funding for LIS - RAE issue

LIM - cohabitation with economics and accounting, both being squeezed.

Anything below international standard swept away.

RAE stopping progression of new universities.

Lack of success in RAE might rule departments out of funding from other sources.

John Feather (Chair of Sub Group Panel) to act as speaker in similar manner to "Libraries make a difference" as a lobby. Perhaps an event next year?

Lobbying AHRC may not work. Perhaps need to look at a different funding stream. Need to articulate through LIRG strategy to CILIP as lobbying for research pool of practitioners and academics. In the short term this needs to be practitioner based. Alternative funding streams required. LIRG role could be to work with Bob and John (and other players such as Leverhulme) - perhaps CILIP to approach.

Discussion with Bob and Guy Daines, John Feather, Andrew Booth and possibly JED.

Message to be sent to the discussion list for views and comments. Discussion as to which was the most appropriate list - CILIP or LIS LIRG

Need to establish interests of members to target regional initiatives. Contact Membership Dept of CILIP to gain regional data. JE to do first analysis.

Jo to do a mailing before Christmas therefore by next committee meeting, one side required on qualitative data. This should be used as promotional material for LIRG. Perhaps David Haines (CILIP Consultancy) to take a business approach. JE to priorities requirements. Each member to input one useful resource/tool.

Action: SS And AP to develop the argument

Action: BF to co-ordinate

Action: JE

Action: JE

6. Events

AGM

Meeting – 5:30, Room E7. Numbers unknown. Require confirmation of new committee appointments.

Chairs report - Minutes and Newsletter

JE already sent out Financial Report, Independent Examiners have changed - this needs identifying at the beginning and confirmed before the AGM. Sign off confirmation in the post, but not yet received. Email confirmation received. Treasurer's report required for Council.

LIRG Group Councillor's report - CR has copies.

BF attended Plenary session, 4 elements of current activities - to be highlighted.

Currently have 630 members.

Awards: Hazel, Sarah and Martin

Awards to be done first. Martin to present awards, to be done jointly if Tony present.

AP to say what is being presented and why.

Future: Might be better to make awards at the Awards Dinner. Next time to join in the Awards Dinner.

Agenda:

Welcome, Introduce Martin, Awards - AP

Sarah to be invited to speak at a future Road Show.

7.Issues from CILIP

7.1 Report from CILIP group councillor - Report emailed to Committee Members

7.2 Report from CILIP liaison officer - Nothing specific to report

7.3 Communications for CILIP

CR responded to the group review.

CILIP corporate plan - AP to represent LIRG on 14th

8 LIR Editors Report

No report

Round table discussion event to be held at Members Day, 27^th October

Cost of production known to JE

9 Treasure's report

Circulated via email.

At the beginning of each committee meeting expenses forms must be signed off by the Chair.

IT to be 3^rd signatory on bank account

10 Web Pages Report

AP to put photos from Umbrella straight onto LIRG website after awards.

Needs a much more immediate presence next year, suggestions welcomed

Action: AP

11 - Covered by AGM

12 - Not covered

13 AOB

SS - report on WISS. SS asked to write a short newsletter article, followed by a longer article next year after the summit.

CILIP to propose a resolution to connect librarians to reducing poverty

Suggestion to make contact with a Research Group in West Cape, S.A. to try and make a small step forward.

BF elected to Library Research & Theory Section of IFLA, Oslo. This will allow BF to see what links can be made for the committee as conduits for research.

Asked for ideas for further connections.

Dates of next meetings:

Officers meeting - to be held around Members Day - JED, BF and AP

Penny, IT, BF and Andrew Booth to meet to discuss Research Methods course.

22nd/23^rd November - to co-ordinate with a funding meeting with John and Bob

21 February - Birmingham, possibly Central Library

AGM - Beginning of July 2006

Action: SS and to check publication dates

Action: All

Action: BF

Action: AP

Action:ALL involved