IMAGINE studying a double degree in commerce and psychology then discovering you love the library so much that you decide to change your career and become a librarian.
That was Claire Murphy’s journey, and her passion for books saw her recognised by the Library Board of WA as a recent graduate with the greatest potential.
Ms Murphy started out working part-time at Curtin Library in 2002 during her double degree then switched her studies and now works at the library full-time.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“I wasn’t really 100 per cent sure of what I wanted to do, then I became aware of the important work of libraries,” she said.
“Libraries are constantly changing and adapting and the work they are doing is increasingly diverse and innovative.”
She represented Australia and New Zealand in the UK’s ‘Knowledge Unlatched’ initiative that encouraged partnerships between universities to offer free sharing of books.
Ms Murphy was presented with the Australian Libraries and Information Association’s FA Sharr award on May 24.
The FA Sharr Award honours Francis Aubie Sharr, the State Librarian from 1953 to 1976, in recognition of his contribution to libraries and librarianship in Western Australia.
The award is for a recent graduate with the greatest potential to make a significant contribution to the library profession.
MORE: Safety concerns at redeveloped Scarborough foreshore
MORE: Shenton Park law student crowned Miss Naidoc 2018
MORE: Family of missing Canning Vale man Ian Collett remains hopeful