Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Vale ~ Marlene Magee

Marlene Magee worked at Redland Libraries for almost 25 years in roles that enabled her to help people in the community, something she loved to do. She was the very hard working Outreach Services Librarian for the last 10 years and prior to that she was a wonderful and much loved Mobile Library Assistant.

Library staff and Marlene's many friends across council and in the library world will miss her sense of humour, tremendous energy and positive outlook as well as her courage and determination. Marlene was known as the "networker par excellence" and has friends everywhere through her great commitment to her job, her sporting activities and her other community involvement.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Vale ~ Kay Poustie OAM


Colleagues and friends are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Kay Poustie OAM, ALIA Fellow, on 29 October 2009, after a brief illness.

Kay was a deeply respected and treasured colleague whose immense contribution and passion for public library services was recognised Australia wide, and in international circles. Kay will be sorely missed, but her legacy to the library profession and public library members will live on.

Kay contributed tirelessly to the library and information profession and to the promotion of ALIA throughout her 46 years of ALIA membership. Through her positions in the WA Branch, the Public Libraries section (WA Group) and on the ALIA Board of Education, Kay influenced the development of the library and information profession in Australia. She contributed to the quality of public libraries and was dedicated to the delivery of excellent service and to ensuring free access to information through the public library system. Kay worked unstintingly to raise the awareness of influential decision-makers about the importance of public libraries.

Kay was also committed to the importance of continuing professional development. She generously shared her broad experience with colleagues; her enthusiasm for ALIA and the professional comradeship it offers encouraged others to support and enjoy the Association. As part of that commitment, she was chair of the finance committee for the first ALIA Biennial Conference held in Perth in 1990, and then returned as program chair of the ALIA Biennial Conference when it was held again in Perth in 2006.

Kay's activities were not restricted to the field of librarianship. She was active in the wider community through Zonta International, an international service organisation for executives in business and the professions, and from 1989 to 1992 served on the Board of Meath Homes for the Aged in Western Australia.

Kay was awarded an ALIA fellowship in 1997. Her Fellowship citation provides more details of her contributions to ALIA and our profession.

In 2008, Kay was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the library and information services sector, to the community through the Zonta International movement, and to aged welfare.

ALIA mourns the passing of a very distinguished ALIA member.

Jan Richards
ALIA President

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Leila Hoffman - Honorary Membership of ALIA

The Board of Directors has awarded Leila Hoffman Honorary Membership of the Australian Library and Information Association in recognition of the noteworthy service she has given in promoting the Objects of the Association.

Other recipients of Honorary Membership include Redmond Barry awardees

The Board of Directors acknowledges her loyalty to the Association as well as her tireless work to promote Australian children’s literature through school libraries. Leila’s drive and enthusiasm as President of the WA Branch of the LAA School Libraries Section in the late 1970s and early 1980s and as national President of the LAA School Libraries Section has contributed to the strong position the Association holds now.

The Board also recognises her 1992 Zonta International Woman of Achievement honour and her 2000 Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her founding work in three important separate areas: Equal Pay for Women, the WA Young Readers Book Award, and the Perth Hebrew Congregation Library.