Glenelg Libraries Collections and Resources Officer Kirsten Jones has been selected to participate in a coveted professional development opportunity with the largest library in the world, the United States Library of Congress.
Ms Jones is one of 20 participants who will take part in a fully funded four-day training session in Melbourne with Library of Congress staff and in collaboration with the State Library of Victoria.
Glenelg Shire Council Mayor Robert Halliday said this type of knowledge and skill building would continue to benefit the region into the future.
“A key objective of the program is to build the capability and capacity of Victoria’s public libraries to collect, preserve, manage and share local history collections in a digital environment.
“As the world becomes increasingly digital its essential that we have the resources to keep up.
“Once the training is complete, Kirsten will be part of team to deliver preservation and digitisation training to other public libraries across the state.”
Ms Jones’ selection comes on top of the recent launch of the Glenelg Historic Treasures Access Project.
The project, involving the capture and preservation of images and information, began in June 2014 after a $30,000 grant was received from the Victorian State Government.
Council contributed a further $10,000, with $5000 from the Portland Family History Group.
The funding allowed for the purchase of a $10,000 microfiche reader, housed at Portland History House, a large flatbed scanner and storage housed with Glenelg Libraries and the creation of the website.
