This is the first edition of Electronic Resources Australia's (ERA) monthly eNewsletter. 

Our eNewsletter has been established to communicate what is happening with ERA, in particular upcoming events and key dates, developments, product enhancements and general e-resource issues. 

ERA Executive Committee - Chair and Deputy Chair Elected

At its December meeting, the ERA Executive Committee members elected Roxanne Missingham ( Department of Parliamentary Services) to continue as Chair and Geoff Strempel (Public Libraries Services) to continue as Deputy Chair.  These appointments have now been confirmed.

Message from the Chair
There has been a great response from Australian libraries to ERA since its commencement in October.  

We are really looking forward to building on this as strong, national, participation increases the benefits for all libraries participating.  

If you are thinking about what online databases to subscribe to in the coming financial year, then consider joining ERA. 

ERA provides an opportunity for libraries to work together to provide greater access to online databases for all Australians.

Want to know more about ERA?

Introducing the ERA Executive Committee

Kate Davis has recently joined the Committee as a public libraries respresentative. Kate is the Electronic Services Librarian at the Gold Coast City Council, and has working knowledge of the online resource products in the market place and of the requirements of public libraries with regard to online resources.

Other committee members representing the interests of Australian libraries on ERA are: 

• Roxanne Missingham (Chair & special libraries)
• Geoff Strempel (Deputy Chair & public libraries)
• Lynn Fletcher (TAFE libraries)
• Michele McLoughlin (school libraries)
• Tony Leschen (NSLA libraries)
• Ann Ritchie (special libraries)
• Kate Davis (public libraries)

Interim Committee members, Julie Rae (public libraries) and Lynette Miller (special libraries), have kindly agreed to continue to provide valuable input in their capacity as special advisors to the Committee.

If you would like to contact your respresentative, please click here.

Introducing the NLA Team

Nikki Darby (right) and Virginia James (left) are the primary National Library staff that work with ERA. 

Nikki is the Executive Officer to the Executive Committee and manages the operations of the Consortium. 

Virginia joined the team in December and provides valuable support in website, database and general adminstration and will be heavily involved in setting up the next product poll.

We are looking forward to working with you in 2008.  We also want to hear from you about what your experiences with ERA are and what you need to support your ERA products.

If you would like to contact us please click here.

Visit Us at VALA : 5-7 February

Come and visit National Library staff at booth 59-60 in the You Yang Hall at VALA, as they will be happy to talk to you about ERA.  Also several of the ERA Executive Committee will be there, so feel free to approach them if you see them.

Key Dates to Remember

• 5-7 February
  2008 VALA Conference
  
• 25 March 
  ERA Product Poll Opens
  
• 29 April 
  ERA Product Poll Closes
  
• 1 July 
  New Subscription Cycle Commences