Our City is full of wonderful young people going about their business as they make the transition from childhood to adulthood.
Caitlyn Ryan (19), a casual Library Officer at Success Library, is a great example! She has won an Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Student Award.
The award recognises Caitlyn as the highest achieving graduating student from her Diploma of Library and Information Services course at North Metropolitan TAFE.
Now studying a Bachelor of Arts (Librarianship) at Curtin University, Caitlyn’s time at Success Library began during a work experience placement as part of her TAFE study 18 months ago.
“Success Library takes on work experience students from TAFE on a regular basis to help them learn what it is like to work in a busy public library,” said City of Cockburn Libraries Manager Linda Seymour.
“She started here doing her prac, it was a term placement. We were lucky to get her, she was a fantastic fit.” Caitlyn works on a casual basis at the library about 15 hours a week doing customer service, shelving and Story Time.
ALIA WA State Manager Sienna Gilchrist said Caitlyn’s success demonstrated the value to local government of library and information professionals.
“It's a mutually beneficial relationship,” Ms Gilchrist said.
“Students gain essential professional experience while councils help to ensure the quality of our future workforce, particularly as libraries evolve to meet the changing needs of the community.”