1.
Association of Librarians and Information
Professionals in the Social Sciences
(an unincorporated association)
Report & Statement of Account
For the Year Ended 31 March 2019
Contents Page
Report of the Committee 1
Statement of Account 5
Reconciliation of Funds 6
Note to the Accounts 7
Independent Examiner’s Report 8

2.
Association of Librarians and Information Professionals in the Social Sciences
Report of the Committee
For the Year Ended 31 March 2019
1
1. Objectives
The Association of Librarians and Information Professionals in the Social Sciences (“ALISS”) is
an unincorporated not-for-profit professional association established in April 2005.
The purpose of ALISS is to provide a forum for information professionals (in the UK or overseas)
involved or interested in social sciences information. It offers the opportunity to network and
exchange information with other members.
Membership of the Group is open to any individual or corporate body on payment of a
membership fee (£25 for individuals, £15 for students and £40 for organisations), and all duly
registered members of the association have the privilege of voting at association meetings.
In the event of a termination of its activities, any surplus funds would be distributed to existing
members.
2. Governance
ALISS is governed by a Constitution adopted at its launch in April 2005. ALISS is managed by a
committee consisting of elected members, comprising up to three officers: Chair, Honorary
Treasurer, Honorary Secretary, and up to six ordinary members of the committee, all of whom
must be members of ALISS. Current office holders are:
Jo Wood Chair
Claire Smith Hon. Treasurer
Heather Dawson Hon. Secretary
3. Membership & Attendance
2018/19 2017/18
Membership
Corporate membership 79 86
Individual 28 28
Student 1 0
Total 108 114
Attendance
Attendance at AGM 18 24
Attendance at Summer Conference 28 40
Attendance at Christmas event 24 27
Attendance at Michaelmas Disability Meeting 14 20
Attendance at Lent Disability Forum Meeting 18 14
Attendance at summer disability meeting 18 20
Total 120 145
4. Activities
The 2018 AGM was held on 28th
June 2018 at Coventry University London. It focused upon
Continuing Professional Development and Mentoring.

3.
Association of Librarians and Information Professionals in the Social Sciences
Report of the Committee
For the Year Ended 31 March 2019
2
There were three presentations:
Mentoring and CPD
Fran Porritt spoke about the benefits of cross-sectoral mentoring relationships and how this can
enhance CPD activities, particularly with respect to the wider professional context.
Connecting Professionals Digitally
Jo Wood produces the Librarians with Lives podcast and blog. She spoke of her experiences
and how this enhanced her CPD and that of the podcast contributors.
CPD for the new professional.
Katie Moore shared her experience of discovering opportunities for development for both newly
qualified staff and their mentors.
The conference introduced an amendment to the constitution which aimed broaden the range of
the bursary to allow attendance at any event throughout the calendar year. This is presented in
point 10 of the constitution. The amendment received email consultation prior to the AGM and
was approved by AGM members.
A summer event was held at Aston University in August 2018. The theme was Social Science
research – a Masterclass for Information Professionals. Papers included:
Official publications - Jennie Grimshaw, Service and Content Lead, Government and
Official Information, The British Library
Official publications have been undervalued as a source of research information, yet
governments and international organisations publish widely on economic and social subjects.
Unlocking grey literature – Diane Bell, Research Librarian, City University
Some sources of literature may be considered unpublished, informally published or be non-
standard academic literature e.g. theses, some conference proceedings, government reports, or
documents from organisations working in your field of interest.
Planning ahead: delivering research data management support for the social sciences – John
Southall, Bodleian Data Librarian, Bodleian Libraries
A key component of information literacy and scholarly practice is an awareness of research data
management (RDM) and an understanding that academic libraries play a key role in its ongoing
development.
Free maths and statistics resources for supporting your students – Angela Evans, Academic
Skills Tutor (Study Skills), Staffordshire University
Students are increasingly asking academic support librarians for general advice on how to
handle and interpret statistics.
A Christmas event was held at Senate House, London on 13th
December 2018. The theme was
Promoting well-being in Library services. There were three presentations:
Health and wellbeing in the workplace Paul Dockerty, Learning and Wellbeing Partner,
Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) talked about optimising
wellbeing for performance and gave useful take away tips on managing your own wellbeing and
supporting colleagues.

4.
Association of Librarians and Information Professionals in the Social Sciences
Report of the Committee
For the Year Ended 31 March 2019
3
Exam Plus: A collaborative approach to promoting well-being at Keele Claire Smith, Principal
Library Assistant, Keele University gave insight into the Exam Plus initiative, from its initial
proposal to the present day. She highlighted the successes and challenges of working as part of
a cross-departmental team with particular focus on the impact for the Library.
Library Study Night Kerstin Treder, Information Specialist, Aston University provided insight
into this special event that included sessions for staff and students) on yoga, mindfulness and
more to help them stay ahead and cope while studying.
Attendance at the AGM and Christmas event is free to members; the non-members fee is £20.
Attendance at the Summer Conference 2018 cost £50 for members and £75 for non-members.
During 2018/2019 ALISS continued to support the disability forum for information professionals.
Three meetings were held and a monthly bibliography indexing disability related articles was
posted online via a website at http://librarychampionsfordisabilityaccess.blogspot.co.uk.
Contributors to the forum now include representatives of RNIB Bookshare and JISC who provide
insight into national projects.
ALISS also has a very active programme of professional visits to libraries open to members free
of charge and to non-members at £5. Visits in 2018/19 included: ZSL Library and Archives;
Senate House Library’s ‘Queer Between the Covers: Literature, Queerness and the Library’
exhibition; Garden Museum Archives; University of Roehampton visit to New Library; Royal
Geographical Society Library and Archive; Royal Albert Hall Archive; Royal College of
Physicians Library and Archive; 50 Works by 50 British Women Artists, 1900-1950 – Guided tour
of Exhibition at Mercer’s Hall, London; Aga Khan Library; London Guildhall Library and Archives;
RUSI Library of Military History
ALISS continues to publish its journal ALISS Quarterly which offers short topical articles on
recent professional developments. ALISS Quarterly is available in print (free to members) and
online. The current online issues are password protected and available to members only. The
archive of all issues is freely available online. The most recent year is password protected.
Special Issues for 2018/19 included: Relationship Management and the Library; Becoming a
CPD Hero; Social Science Masterclass; Wellbeing and Libraries.
The ALISS Quarterly prize for the most innovative and inspiring article was awarded to:
First Prize: Kassir, L. (2018) Curating 'Queer Between the Covers: Literature, Queerness and
the Library'. ALISS Quarterly, 13(4), pp. 13-15
Second Prize: Moore, K. (2018) CPD for the new professional. ALISS Quarterly, 13(4), pp. 7-9.
5. Finances
There was a cash surplus of £135 (2018: £679) for the year.
Income
Corporate and personal membership fees and sale of ALISS Quarterly extra copies totalled £
£3,980 (2018: £4,282) and so covered the cost of producing the journal (£2,817 (2018: £2,836).
The summer conference made a surplus of £604 (2018: £679). Income of £172 (2018: £439)
was received from the Publisher’s Licencing Society for the first time.

5.
Association of Librarians and Information Professionals in the Social Sciences
Report of the Committee
For the Year Ended 31 March 2019
4
Expenditure
Expenditure on the AGM totalled £566 (2018: £467) including £75 (2018: £75) in prizes for
ALISS Quarterly best articles. Expenditure on other events consisted of £432 (2018: £197) for
catering, room hire and travel expenses.
Office costs consisted of £913 (2018: £660) mainly or accountancy advice and assistance.
Financial Position
Cash at bank at 31 March 2019 amounted to £18,241 (2018: £18,106).
6. Approval
This statement of account was approved by the AGM on 27 June 2019 and signed on its behalf
by:
Claire Smith
Honorary treasurer

6.
5
Association of Librarians and Information Professionals in the Social Sciences
Income & Expenditure Account
For the Year Ended 31 March 2019
2019 2018
Income Note £ £
Membership fees
Corporate 3,240 3,517
Personal 740 765
3,980 4,282
Events, Conferences & Workshops
Summer Conference 1,325 1,990
Other events 20 440
1,345 2,430
Other income
Sale of Extra Copies of Journal - -
Non-member attendance on tours 100 160
Non-member attendance at AGM 25 -
Publisher’s licencing society 172 439
297 439
Total Income 5,622 7,151
Expenditure
Membership costs
Printing of ALISS Quarterly 2,817 2,836
AGM 566 467
3,383 3,303
Events, Conferences & Workshops
Summer Conference 721 1,311
Other events 432 197
1,153 1,508
Other costs
Web site costs 38 37
Office costs 913 660
951 697
Total Expenditure 5,487 5,508
Surplus of Income over Expenditure 135 1,643
Corporation tax 2 - (684)
Surplus of Income over Expenditure after tax paid 135 959

7.
6
Association of Librarians and Information Professionals in the Social Sciences
Reconciliation of funds
For the Year Ended 31 March 2019
2019 2018
£ £
Cash at bank at 31 March 18,241 18,106
Represented by:
Retained surplus at 1 April 18,106 17,427
Surplus/(deficit) for the year ended 31 March 135 679
Total 18,241 18,106
There were no other material assets or liabilities other than those stated above.

8.
7
Association of Librarians and Information Professionals in the Social Sciences
Notes
For the Year Ended 31 March 2019
1. Accounting Basis
The accounts have been drawn up on a receipts and payments basis.
2. Corporation tax
Corporation tax is provided on the non-mutual trading elements of the income and expenditure
account.
2019 2018
£ £
In respect of the year ended 31 March:
2016: - 138
2017: - 546
2018: - -
Total 0 684

9.
8
Association of Librarians and Information Professionals in the Social Sciences
Independent Examiner’s Report
For the Year Ended 31 March 2019
I report on the accounts of the ALISS for the year ended 31 March 2019, set out on pages 5 to 7.
This report is made solely to the Office Holders of ALISS.
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the association and a
comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any
unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Office Holders
concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that
would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the
accounts.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect:
 proper accounting records have not been kept; and
 accounts have been prepared which do not agree with the accounting records; or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of
the accounts to be reached.
John Helm ACA
17 Heathville Road
London N19 3AL
27 June 2019