Librarians celebrate

The presentation of the 2003 Sharr Medal, in the middle of Library and Information Week, gave all librarians a chance to celebrate the profession and the achievements of librarians. The event integrated the LIW theme of 'Down and Loaded' with the 2004@Your Library themes of 'Your Future' and 'Treasures'.

The guest speaker, Kandy-Jane Henderson of the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library, gave an entertaining account of her career progress from working with Ali Sharr at the Battye Library to the beginning of the JCPML. Kandy-Jane also told of the treasures held by the JCPML and the use of technology to present those treasures to the public. She invited all of us to visit the JCPML at http://john.curtin.edu.au/.

The opportunity was also taken to thank Deanne Barrett for her time as an ALIA Board member and to welcome Carol Newton-Smith as she starts her term as a Board member. Imogen Garner spoke as ALIA National president and reminded us that as Board members are not elected to represent individual states, we should be proud of the representation that Western Australian members make to the ALIA Board.

The theme, 'Librarians as "treasures"', was celebrated with past Sharr Medallists: Jean Ryding, Vicki Tkacz, Peter Green and Eilishia Bardoe being given 'You're a Treasure' chocolate bars. Vicki and Eilishia both gave a short talk on how their careers had developed. Both believed that you had to have a passion for your work and that nothing was impossible in achieving 'Your Future'. Eilishia also told of how her career has moved into the 'procurement area' of e-government and how her librarianship skills are being utilised in this new endeavour.

But the main event was the presentation of the 2003 Sharr Medal. The nominees present were Kelly Underwood, Richard Maker, and Andrew Rayner, with two nominees, Titus Mercea and Peter Pierre unable to attend. The winner was Andrew Rayner and we all wish him well in his career.

The ALIAWest committee thanks all our guests for attending and making this a very enjoyable celebration of our new graduates starting their careers and some of our fellow librarians reflecting on how and where their careers in librarianship have taken them.

Maureen Cooper
ALIA West convenor

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