The John Hirst Award honours the memory of the Association’s founder, who had a vision and a passionate drive to establish the primary place of libraries in every NSW school. The award recognises excellence in professional leadership and/or service by an Association member who is either a teacher librarian or who supports school libraries in New South Wales.
Rhonda Bruce has over 30 years of dedicated experience in school libraries and professional associations. Throughout her extensive career, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to mentoring emerging librarians and fostering their professional growth and development. She empowers school and district staff to enhance their skills in managing school libraries.
As a member of the Western Area Teacher Librarian (WATL) network, Rhonda has been a tireless advocate for the association and the vital support if offers to teacher librarians throughout the region. Her inclusive approach ensures that all teacher librarians receive valuable information and invitations to WATL events. This broad outreach reflects her commitment to creating a cohesive professional community that fosters collaboration and resource sharing across the Western area. Rhonda has been instrumental in revitalising the WATL networking days, by procuring expert speakers and establishing a system to rotate events across the regions. This innovative approach has substantially increased equitable access to professional development opportunities for library staff.
In addition to her regional contributions, Rhonda has played an active role within the School Library Association of NSW. Serving as a committee member for Central Ranges and Western Plains between 2021-2025, she was a valued member of the Professional Learning Subcommittee and also contributed through her book reviews and engagement with SLANSW initiatives.
Rhonda’s advocacy for the profession is tireless and impactful. Her unwavering commitment to professional learning is demonstrated though her voluntary and professional endeavours. Recently, Rhonda dedicated her personal holiday time to support an emerging school librarian in her region, offering expert, hands-on assistance with accessioning, weeding, and organising of the library collection. This intensive, practical mentorship significantly enhanced the librarian’s competencies and ensured access to high quality resources, making a tangible, positive impact on student learning outcomes.
Ultimately, Rhonda’s work significantly promotes quality teaching and learning. By supporting school and district staff to manage their libraries effectively, she enhances the educational environment, ensuring that students and teachers have access to well-curated, relevant resources that support curriculum goals and makes her an invaluable asset to the school community. Her ongoing contributions continue to inspire and empower teacher librarians and library staff across the region, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for school libraries.
The School Library Association of NSW congratulates Rhonda on receiving this award, which is an acknowledgment of her leadership, advocacy and dedication to the profession.
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