QULOC History

History

BULOC, the Brisbane University Libraries Office of Cooperation, was established in April 1991 as a joint initiative of the three Brisbane university libraries (Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology, and University of Queensland). The founding mission was to provide a framework for initiating and promoting cooperative ventures between member libraries and to foster collaboration between the libraries and other appropriate information organizations.

Cooperation, however limited, had long existed between the three Brisbane university libraries. But the impetus for change arrived with tighter economic conditions, the "information explosion" effect, and new government policies on inter-university collaboration. In response to these demands, BULOC was launched to stimulate joint activities on a larger and more organised scale.

The success of BULOC's operations over its first two years provided the foundation on which a larger group could operate, and in May 1993 BULOC was transformed to QULOC, with six new members - Australian Catholic University, Bond University, the University of Southern Queensland, James Cook University of North Queensland, the University of Central Queensland, and from over the border the University of New England, Northern Rivers. The State Library of Queensland which has some interests in common with university libraries joined QULOC as with observer status. The University of New England - Northern Rivers subsequently became the Southern Cross University, retaining membership of QULOC. The University of New England (Armidale) was welcomed into QULOC in 2000. Membership of QULOC involves equal access to all QULOC activities and working parties, as well as an equal financial contribution to the operating costs of the organization.

At the center of QULOC is the University Librarians' Committee, initiating programs and setting priorities for the organisation. These directions are implemented by a series of working parties, with members from each institution. Convenors of the working parties as well as their terms of reference are decided by the University Librarians' Committee.

Underpinning the organisation is the QULOC secretariat. Up until 2020, QULOC was staffed by an Executive Officer (EO) on a part-time basis, the secretariat generally located within the institution of the Convenor of QULOC.  Since 2020 the EO position has been voluntary.  In May 2021, QULOC became a Group of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).  QULOC Libraries are Institutional Members of ALIA. 

The convenorship rotates on a two year cycle:

2024 Blanca Pizzani, University of the Sunshine Coast

2022-2023 Nicole Clark, Queensland University of Technology

2022   Chelsea Harper, University of the Sunshine Coast 

2020-2021  Sarah Fredline, Bond University 

2018-2019 Carmel O'Sullivan, University of Southern Queensland

2017 Wendy Abbott, University Librarian, Bond University

2015-2016 Robert Gerrity, University Librarian, University of Queensland

2013-2015 Barbara Paton, University Librarian, University of New England

2010-2013 Sandra Jeffries, Director Information Services, University of the Sunshine Coast

2008-2010 Graham Black, Director Division of Library Services, Central Queensland University

2006-2008 Jim Graham, Manager (Library), McAuley at Banyo Campus, Australian Catholic University

2004-2006 Heather Gordon, Executive Director, Information Services, University of the Sunshine Coast

2002-2004 Janice Rickards, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Information Services), Griffith University

2000-2002 Janine Schmidt, University Librarian, University of Queensland

1998-2000 Evelyn Woodberry, University Librarian, Bond University

1996-1998 Madeleine McPherson, University Librarian, University of Southern Queensland

1994-1996 Gaynor Austen, University Librarian, Queensland University of Technology

1993-1994 Janice Rickards, University Librarian, Griffith University

1991-1993 Brian Cook, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Information Services) Griffith University