Photo: attendees at the NT Library & Information Excellence Award Presentation & Project Showcase event
On the evening of Tuesday 18th November, the NT Library & Information Excellence Award Presentation & Project Showcase event was held in the Library and Archives Northern Territory (LANT) space in the Danala building, Darwin.
Attendees from across all library and information sectors, gathered on these traditional lands of the Larrakia people to celebrate the NT LIS sector’s 2025 achievements. The evening begun with a recognition that we lost one of our own this year.
A moment of reflection and tribute for Hayley Arkinstall, whose family were in attendance at the event. Hayley was a highly valued member of the Northern Territory library family, having worked in our libraries for over 10 years. During her all too brief time, Hayley held a number of key roles within the sector, including managing the Taminmin Community Library, supporting many remote and regional libraries through her role at Library and Archives NT, and most recently, as the City of Palmerston Library Services Manager. Hayley will be remembered and deeply missed.
Photo: Anna Ingram (LANT) opens the NT Library & Information Excellence Award Presentation & Project Showcase event
The ALIA GLAM Top End Group, coordinators of this event, wanted to ensure that there was opportunity to hear about the diverse and innovative of libraries from across the Territory and across all library sectors. So, a series of lighting talks were programmed.
Anna Ingram, Assistant Director Library Sector Services, LANT, introduced the 5 lightning talk speakers:
• Irta Oakley - City of Darwin Community Link Up 2025
• Martin Blakemore – City of Palmerston, All In Activities
• Tad Lamarzon – Charles Darwin University and the ALIA Community Cohesion Project
• Karen Manton - LANT Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property
• A'Mhara McKey - NT Health Research and Publications Online
Photo (l-r): Emily Wilson (ALIA) presents Saara Kahkonen with her ALIA DCP Certificate
The event also provided opportunity to present Saara Kahkonen, member of the NT Health Library team, with her ALIA Distinguished Certified Professional (DCP) Certificate. An ongoing commitment to professional development is a key attribute for LIS professionals. Distinguished Certified Professional (DCP) status acknowledges ALIA members who have been active members of the ALIA CPD Scheme for at least five years and maintained a minimum 30 hours of CPD per year. Congratulations Saara.
Photos: attendees at the NT Library & Information Excellence Award Presentation & Project Showcase
Re-launched last year, the
NT Library & Information Excellence Award celebrates and recognises the work of an individual working in any sector of the library and information profession in the NT. The quality of nominations was high, and some four exceptional people were
shortlisted. A special thanks to each of the judges for their consideration of the nominees.
Photo (l-r): Emily Wilson (ALIA) presents Carol Cheng with the 2025 NT Library & Information Excellence Award
Congratulations to Carol Cheng from the City of Darwin Libraries – winner for the 2025 NT Library & Information Excellence Award. You can read more about Carol’s achievements here.