Speaker at the Friends of the Barossa Library Annual General Meeting held at the Barossa Council Chambers 15^th August, 2013 was Andrew Piper, Manager Online Projects at the State Library of South Australia.  The topic was “South Australians of World War 1:  Their Stories”.  The aim of the projects is to provide a fuller picture of the involvement of South Australians in World War 1.

One of the projects being set up to commemorate the Centenary of Gallipoli and including World War 1 concerns some 8000 packets of material handed to the State Library in 1919 from the South Australian Red Cross Information Bureau.  The packets relate to requests from concerned family and friends looking for information about loved ones serving overseas from 1914 – 1919 from whom there had been no recent word.  The information from these packets is to be entered into a database for internet access and ultimately linked to various other databases Australia and World- wide.  In keeping with the volunteer concept of the Red Cross, the State Library will be looking for volunteers, both city and regionally based, available later this year and next year to input the data.

Another project is utilising the “Flickr” website where the general public can upload their stories and images concerning those serving overseas or supporting the war from the home front.

If you would like to know more about the progress of these projects, go to the Sate Library website.

Barossa Library Services Report 2012-13

 Joining the One Card Network has been a significant project this year giving library users access to millions of items from public libraries across South Australia. Lead by Tania, Elizabeth and Alison over a six month program of training, mapping and transferring data it involved transferring 53,000 item records, 16,000 membership records and 35,000 loan records.  Staff have quickly mastered the Sirsi Dynix system and are to be congratulated for their positive approach and team work to seamlessly put the new system in place. Customers are very positive about the One Card Network with many comments about the large range of items available, how quickly they arrive and the ease of finding new titles on the new look website.

During 2012 -13 although there were interruptions over a 2 month period while we changed systems loans  totalled 232,700 a 1% increase on the previous year and visits totalled 130,127 a reduction of 7%, mainly due to the closure days during the One Card installation.

Ebooks were launched in March 2013 and are being well used with over 100 users borrowing close to 800 books to 30 June. Convenient for commuters, travellers and high use on long weekends eBooks are being well used and adding to the range of items that can be accessed.

Julie and the programs team again ran a very successful year of library programs including the popular Summer Reading program, Book Week and holiday activities. Lots of happy young readers enjoy these sessions and develop their love of reading throughout the year. Author visits this year have included a wonderful high tea at Seppetlsfield with Helene Young, and Egyptian mysteries with Iain Campbell.

Our community involvement included the Vintage Festival Carnival giving away over 600 balloons, games and supporting the Friends Story Writing Competition. Regular library events increased to include the Cook Book Club and Mah-jong along with Chess, Beading and Yarn Fanatics.

Local history research has been enhanced this year by equipment provided by the Friends, as many people have used the digital reader and the scanner to trace events from the local papers on microfilm and transfer slides, photographs and family letters to a digital image.

The library greatly appreciated the fundraising the Friends have coordinated through the book sales, author events and the raffle with new sponsor Sea Link. Also supported by the Friends, the new red library bags were very popular when launched in June. $2000 has been provided to run an early literacy program with Zonta and $2000 has purchased e-readers to demonstrate eBooks for the community. These programs will be underway later this year.

A very special thank you to our retiring President Jill Stevens. Jill has provided leadership and direction for the Friends for more than 10 years. Jill’s knowledge of libraries was significant in seeking support for the new Nuriootpa and Tanunda libraries which we appreciate today. Jill has continued to create a welcoming Friends group, energetic fund raising events and created cohesion and enjoyment for the committee and library team.  Her recent lobbying has also increased awareness of the need to improve the Lyndoch and Mt Pleasant libraries so that all residents of the Barossa have access to quality services. Thank you Jill, for your dedication and support of the Barossa Libraries.

Tania Paull, Senior Coordinator Library Services

At the Annual General Meeting in August, a new Committee was elected.

Jill Stevens decided not to re-nominate as President, having been a Committee member since 1998, and President since 2000 – 13 years!  The Friends presented her with a commemorative clock and plaque to mark the occasion.  Jill is staying on a Vice-President.

The new Committee is:  President- Bill Biscoe;  Vice-President – Jill Stevens; Secretary – Jan Biscoe; Treasurer and Membership Secretary – Paddy Carter;  Committee Members – Adelaide Abbott, Jennifer Kerr, Christine Malone, Kevin Platt, James Porter and Margaret Seager.

You will note that most of the Committee has served for some years – our thanks to all the members who keep putting up their hands to help out every year.

By the way, any Friend is entitled to attend any Committee meeting to listen in or express their views.  Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 7 pm at Nuriootpa Library.  The next meeting will be on Thursday 17th September.

On Thursday 15th August, after the Annual General Meeting of the Friends, Andrew Piper of the Sate Library of South Australia will tell the story of South Australians of World War I.  They are the subject of a special project of the Sate Library run by Andrew, who is also working on a related project which will include a new web resource of the records of South Australian Red Cross Information Bureau.  This should be available by early 2015, in time for the 100th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.

This will be a very interesting talk given by a person who has a deep knowledge of the State Library’s preservation archives.  Andrew has also developed the exhibition programme, websites and the content delivery system.  Further details are available on http://guides.slsa.sa.gov.au/content.php?pid=423077&sid=3774493.

All members of the public are mist welcome to attend.  After Andrew’s talk, we will be offering a cup of hot soup and a convivial beverage.

All members of the pubk