TAFE Tasmania triumphs in national award, Sep 2005

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TAFE Tasmania triumphs in national award


A Tasmanian library has collected a trophy ahead of libraries from around the country. TAFE Tasmania's Clarence Campus Library is the inaugural winner of the Library Extension Program (LEP) Excellence Award.

About the award
The Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) LEP Excellence Award showcases libraries doing what they do so well: connecting their clients to information. It recognises and rewards libraries for excellence in raising the awareness, understanding and use of ABS information in their communities. With entries from around Australia, judges were impressed with the library's "commitment to lifelong learning practices" and its strong initiative for long-term ABS awareness.

The library was presented with their prize - a trophy and $1,500 worth of ABS products and services of their choice - by the Australian Statistician Dennis Trewin at the library on Friday (23 September). The Deputy Mayor of Clarence City Council, Alderman Jock Campbell, and ABS Tasmania Regional Director Dick Crockett also attended.

TAFE Tasmania's Clarence Campus Librarian Leanne Vincent said the award was unexpected. "We're a small library and we were competing against larger and more academic libraries," she said. "It is a real coup for us."

She said the LEP enables the library to help students discover ABS products. "They can see the value of the products, not just for their studies, but when they go out into the workforce," Ms Vincent said.

"We really engage the students and we are continually promoting ABS information - it's never a one-off."

About LEP
Part of the ABS mission is to help and encourage informed decision making, research and discussion within government and the community. Although everyone has had free access to ABS publications since July 1 this year, many will need help to find the right information. Enter the LEP, a highly successful partnership between the ABS and a nationwide network of more than 500 libraries.

With free training, support and promotional material provided by the ABS, LEP libraries are committing themselves to connecting their users to ABS information in useful and innovative ways. Everyone benefits - the community, libraries and the ABS.