The City of Mt Gambier Library has been awarded the 2012 Jim Crawford Award for Innovation in Libraries for its engagement of the community in life-long learning.

 

The two yearly awards celebrate the late Jim Crawford's contribution to the development of public libraries in South Australia. Mr Crawford was a former chairman of the Libraries Board of SA and head of the CMV Automotive Group.

 

Mr Crawford, who was also Mayor of the former Brighton Council and a Vice-President of the Local Government Association, convinced former Premier Don Dunstan to co-invest with Local Government in a program to develop libraries in every Council area. The program was embraced by Councils and has had the support of all State Governments since its inception.

 

In presenting the awards, the Libraries Board chairman, James Bruce, said the Mt Gambier Library is an exemplary example of commitment to a vision that learning and education are crucial building blocks of a strong community.

 

In 2009 the City of Mount Gambier embarked on implementing a strategy to revitalise the city centre and the redevelopment of the Library has been an integral element in this overall strategy. The vision that guided the development of the new library has incorporated excellence in library spaces, programs and the use of information technology successfully to provide the community with a contemporary environment not just for learning but one that delivers an expanded suite of programs, activities and events with a core focus on learning and genuine engagement with the community.

 

Designed with the latest book retailing trends in mind, and with a fully integrated cafe, it gives the look and feel of a social bookstore. The Bookmark Cafe also provides Council with a revenue stream that offsets additional staff and programming costs that are in demand from the community.

 

The Mid-Murray Council's Morgan Library has been given an Honourable Mention for its service which is vital to the area's social and economic wellbeing.

An Encouragement Award was awarded to Alexandrina Council's Library and Community Centre at Strathalbyn for the embracement of change, implementation of innovation and use of information technology for the direct benefit of library customers and the community.

 

 

Local Government Association President, Mayor Kym McHugh, congratulated the winning Councils and noted that Mr Crawford's legacy had been maintained. In August 2011 the Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts, John Hill and Mayor McHugh signed a new 10 year agreement to fund public libraries.

 

The agreement secures more than $185m in State subsidy for public libraries, with Councils expected to invest more than $570m between 2011 and 2021.