ALIA QLD Library Technician of the Year (Recent Graduate) annual award dinner

Sue Sawyer deputy convenor, ALIA Queensland Library Technicians Group

The ALIA QLD Library Technician of the Year (Recent Graduate) annual award dinner was held on National Library Technicians Day Tuesday 13 May at the Skyline Restaurant in Southbank Institute of TAFE. The deserving winner of the award for this year is Meredith Lewis from QEII Hospital Health Service Library who was nominated by her library manager, Dr Jane Simon.

This award is sponsored by Queensland Library Supplies and their representative, Colin Matthews, was in attendance to present Meredith with the perpetual trophy and a cheque for $100.00. In addition, the successful recipient received a certificate and cheque from ALIA, which were presented by Sue Sawyer, the deputy convenor of the Queensland Library Technicians Group.

Meredith did exceptionally well to be selected this year from a very strong field of nominees. It is a reflection of how well new graduates are performing in the workplace that the judging panel received such an outstanding selection of potential winners. It made the judging process very hard so like any panel they had to look at how well the selection criteria were addressed.

With regard to the first criteria, which is a library technician who has completed their study in the previous three years it was noted that Meredith is 'home-grown' in Queensland having completed her Diploma in Library and Information Studies from SBIT Morningside in June 2002.

The candidate must also demonstrate the qualities and attributes necessary to be a successful library technician. A very impressive array of skills and abilities were all stated and demonstrated in the nomination for this year's multi-skilled winner - customer service skills, time management, competence in IT, communication skills, library and research skills, self motivated, and a team player.

The nominee must have displayed a high degree of enthusiasm during their studies and exhibit professionalism in the workplace. Meredith's nominee Dr Jane Simon commented on these qualities and in particular noted her involvement in special projects such as developing a database of videos of satellite broadcasts (invaluable in clinical education throughout the district) and in special functions aimed at raising the library profile. Dr Simon also noted that client satisfaction surveys always indicated an extremely high level of satisfaction with library staff - 'approachable, knowledgeable, friendly, always goes out of their way and doesn't make me feel like a dummy'.

An awareness of the aims of library technicians and a willingness to work towards gaining recognition for library technicians in the library and information industry is the final criteria that the nominee must exhibit. It was noted that all nominees were exemplary role models for library technicians within their organisations. Additionally, Meredith has been involved in the education sub-committee for the 2003 Library Technicians Conference in Brisbane and she has also been involved in promoting the role of library technicians within her own organisation as a committee member for Gratis an interlibrary loan network.

Meredith attended the evening of celebration of her success with her nominator Dr Simon, her husband Bob and three other work colleagues and exhibited an additional talent for public speaking with a very gracious speech on accepting the award. Nearly 40 other library technicians, students and friends filled the restaurant to congratulate Meredith and celebrate National Library Technicians Day at this stunning venue overlooking the Brisbane River tastefully decorated to reflect the Asian theme for this year's delicious dinner immaculately served up by the catering and hospitality students at TAFE. The evening was a delightful event with a full programme to support the formal proceedings. Diners were first treated to enchanting music performed by a talented trio of musicians from the Conservatorium. The guest speaker, Janet Poole, special needs services librarian, from Logan City Council entertained and amused the audience with both sound advice and witty anecdotes about her year in Scotland on a work exchange programme. Deirdre Gibb, from the One Umbrella Company - another wonderful advocate of library technicians and valued supporter of the Queensland group was also at the celebration to present a gift to the winner of the lucky door prize. This year Elaine West (from Brisbane City Council Library) left with the swag of lucky door goodies kindly donated by One Umbrella.

back

A a