The Board
Meet the PLA Board
Chair
Ross Duncan
B.Sc. (Hons.), M.B.A
About me
I began working in libraries in late 2007 on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and have worked internationally in fields as diverse as scientific research, private venture capital, hospitality, language training schools, music recording, aquaculture, childcare and quarries. I am currently employed as Manager of the Learning Communities Branch of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. The branch’s 180 staff manage the operations of 10 libraries, 3 mobile libraries which are visited almost 2 Million times per year. With over 120,000 active members, the library service aims to deliver excellent service to almost 7,000 people per day.
Why did I join the PLA board?
I joined the PLA board, as I was interested in becoming involved in an industry peak body which promotes the achievements of libraries, and contributes to the professional development and promotion of the skills and passion of library staff.
Deputy Chair
Richard Sayers
BA (Hons), GradDipLibSc, MAppSc (Lib & Info Mgt), DipPM,
Cert IV TAA, ILPF, AFAIM, MAITD, SLA, CDec Qld
About me
It is my privilege to manage a large government library and associated state-wide information network. Previously, I have worked as an independent consultant and trainer in the library and not-for-profit sectors, and as an executive for a university company. My experience over two decades of library and information practice also includes management positions in TAFE and university libraries. I have written and presented papers on a range of library management related topics in Australia and overseas, and published two books; the first for UNESCO and the second a history of Townsville City library service – Queensland’s first free public library.
My professional interests and involvements include foundation Fellowship of the Australian Institute of Learning Professionals, Associate Fellowship of the Australian Institute of Management and membership of various national and international organisations including the Special Libraries Association (SLA), Australian Institute of Training and Development, Royal Historical Society of Queensland and Military Historical Society of Australia.
Why did I join the PLA board?
As the PLA Board’s first appointed member, I welcome the opportunity to contribute a wide experience of business development and service innovation in libraries and not-for-profit organisations.
Director
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Karen Conway
About me
I have worked in public libraries for over 20 years and was appointed Manager Darwin City Council Libraries in 2006. Darwin City Council Libraries (DCCL) is the largest public library service in the Northern Territory with 4 libraries servicing a population over 75,000. With this in mind DCCL has a major role to play in the development and growth of public libraries in the NT.
Why did Karen join the PLA board?
I joined PLA as the representative on the board for the Northern Territory in April 2010, and feel that it is important to have a representative on the board who can provide input for regional and remote libraries such as those in the Northern Territory.
Director
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Patricia Walker
About me
Most of my 40 year career has been with local government working in and managing public libraries apart from an 18 month sojourn to the academic environment of TAFE and University libraries. I currently work for the City of Armadale in WA. I had a couple of years in different roles at the City that included responsibility for areas as diverse as Waste Management, Ranger Services, Community Development, Administration and Records. I am currently employed as the Manager Libraries and Heritage. Visitor Servicing is also a part of my portfolio. The department’s 30 staff manage the operations of 3 public libraries, a local studies library, 2 museums and the visitor centre.
Why did I join the PLA board?
I joined the PLA board because I believe that there is a role for an organisation to represent the unique place of public libraries as a service operated by Local Government and to contribute to the opportunities to grow the public library profession, an exciting and rewarding career path.
Director
Ian Greenhalgh *
BA(Hons), GDipArts(Lib&InfoSci), MAppSci(Lib&InfoMan)
About me
I love working in public libraries. They’ve been a source of joy for me through most of my working life. The chance of helping someone find out what they need is there every day. To be able to offer that in a framework which enshrines free access to information is also a great and rare privilege.
I manage the Armidale Dumaresq Library, a public library in NSW serving a local area population of 25 thousand. The Library has the busiest loan rate per head of local area population in country New South Wales, and our loan rates have risen by fifty percent in the past eight years on a flat population basis.
I am an elected Country Library representative on the Public Libraries Consultative Committee, which advises the Library Council of New South Wales on public library matters.
Why did I join the PLA board?
My belief in a Federal role and presence for public libraries has been stimulated by many factors, from the Munn-Pitt report to the potentials of the 2003 Senate Committee on the Role of Libraries in the Online Environment. That belief has driven my local level engagement with National Library initiatives (Armidale was one of very few participants in the initial trial of the Libraries Australia interface, one of the first to adopt the Libraries Australia Document Delivery software, and we endeavour to list more than seventy-five percent of our collection on the national database), and stimulated this step to join the Board of Public Libraries Australia.
* Artwork by David Greenhalgh
Director
Sue Henczel
B.Bus (Info Mgt) RMIT, M.Bus (Info Tech) RMIT, GAICD
About me
Over a diverse and (mostly) happy career in libraries I have held management and operational positions in government, corporate, academic and public libraries and am now a full time consultant and trainer. I have a long-standing involvement with IFLA and SLA (Special Libraries Association) and have held leadership positions with each of those associations, as well as being an SLA Fellow. I am a member of the Emerald’s Library Management Editorial Board and Book Review Editor and a member of ASLIB (UK) Advisory Council. I am the author of numerous articles, papers, presentations, chapters and a book on library and information management topics.
Why did I join the PLA Board?
I see PLA as the peak body dedicated to representing, supporting and advocating for public libraries in Australia. Throughout my career I have been committed to demonstrating the positive impacts that libraries have on their communities and to participating in the development of effective professional support networks for library staff. I see PLA as being well-placed to support public libraries in each of these areas, and more, at local and regional levels as well as at a national and international level.
Appointed Directors
Up to four (4) Directors may be appointed by the Elected Board.
These Directors may be sourced from the PLA membership or from library or local government based organisations (see the PLA Constitution for more details)
Elected Directors
- Ross Duncan (Chair) - QLD
- Patricia Walker - WA
- Ian Greenhalgh - NSW
- Karen Conway - NT
- Richard Sayers - Member
- Sue Henzel - VIC
Board Vacancies exist for Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory and South Australia
Company Secretary and Administration
Roger Henshaw
New South Wales