3 December 2003

Jim Soorley recognised for outstanding service to library and information services

Jim Soorley, former Lord Mayor of Brisbane (1991-2003), has been awarded the prestigious Redmond Barry Award by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) in recognition of his contribution to the revitalisation of Brisbane's public libraries.

Jim Soorley was elected Lord Mayor of Brisbane City Council, Australia's largest local government authority, in 1991 and immediately made a commitment to improving Brisbane's public libraries. From the outset, Jim clearly identified and responded to the central role that public libraries play in both the social and economic prosperity of the community.

In less than ten years, under Jim Soorley's leadership, the Brisbane City Council Library Service was transformed from being regarded as Australia's 'worst metropolitan library service' to one that is today regarded as one of the best in Australia, if not the world.

Jim Soorley wanted the whole population of the City of Brisbane to have easy access to high-quality library services. As a leader with an innate social conscience, Jim Soorley put his philosophy into practice with a sense of principle and purpose. He recognised, placed trust in and supported people who could deliver on his goals, and he ensured that public library services would be available to all by delivering the policies and the resources necessary to implement his vision.

During his last years in office, Jim continued his commitment to the public library service by providing funding for many innovative programs. The One Book, One Brisbane initiative, for example, assisted the library service to promote the enjoyment of reading, engage the community and attract new members to the library service.

More than just an elected figurehead, Jim was a consistent and outgoing advocate of library services throughout his term as Lord Mayor of the City of Brisbane. He has given outstanding service to the community of library users and the library profession through the Brisbane City Library Service. The benefits of his contribution will live on well into the future.

The Redmond Barry Award is the Association's highest honour that can be bestowed on a non-library professional in recognition of outstanding service to or promotion of a library and information service or libraries and information services. It commemorates the name and services to Australian libraries of Sir Redmond Barry, 1813-1880, who is regarded as the founder of the State Library of Victoria. Previous recipients include Ian Renard, Kenneth Baillieu Myer, Professor Stuart Macintrye, the Hon EG Whitlam and the Hon Barry Jones.

ALIA is the professional association for the library and information sector. ALIA represents over 5500 personal members, 1000 institutional members and 10 million library users.

The Redmond Barry Award presentation will take place at Brisbane City Hall (Brisbane room) from 5:00pm-7:00pm Thursday 4 December 2003.