ALIA West

May 2006

Academic and Research Libraries (WA Branch) Group ALIA

Each year the Academic and Research Libraries (ARL) (WA Branch) Group ALIA offers prizes to library studies students in Western Australia. By tradition the group's icebreaker event is a student awards night where prizewinners receive their awards, and then give a short presentation on their research topic. This year the student awards night for the 2005 academic year was held on 28th March.

Two prize categories are offered. In the first category sponsored by Blackwell's Book Services, an award is made for best practicum, completed by a student during their final year of study. Natasha Sykes was the recipient of the ARL/Blackwell's Book Services prize for 2005. Natasha was an international exchange student who studied at Curtin University of Technology, and completed her practicum at Murdoch University Library. Natasha returned to the United States soon after completing her studies, and so could not be present at the awards night. Instead, the ARL committee wrote to Natasha offering congratulations on her achievements, and forwarded her prize.

In the second category, a total of three prizes are awarded for best essay or presentation with a research component, undertaken at graduate or graduate diploma level. This prize is sponsored by DA Information Services. The 2005 winners of the ARL/DA Information Services prize were Janine van der Kooy from Curtin University of Technology, Matthew Hayes from Central TAFE, and Jodie Ward from Edith Cowan University. After completing her studies, Jodie travelled to the United Kingdom where she is currently working.

Following the prize giving, two recipients spoke on their research topics. Janine van der Kooy gave an excellent paper on her research, entitled 'The information profession and the blogosphere'. Matthew Hayes then provided a very entertaining paper on his research project, conducted while working at a local public library. He investigated whether any particular weeknight could be identified as the best time to offer family friendly activities, and help to attract more family groups to their public library.

A lively question and answer session followed the presentations. It was agreed by the audience that the prize winners demonstrated a professional approach to their research, and had proven themselves to be worthy winners of the prizes offered by the Academic & Research Libraries (WA Group) ALIA.

Gaye Sweeney Convenor: Academic & Research Libraries (WA Group) ALIA

Janine van der Kooy and Matthew Hayes, 2005 prize winners