Local Government Association of South Australia - Jim Crawford Award - LGA
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Jim Crawford Award

The Jim Crawford Award for Innovation in Libraries was created to ensure that Mr Crawford's legacy in creating and developing South Australia's public libraries system is remembered.

Mr Jim Crawford

Mr Crawford was Chairman of the Libraries Board of South Australia from 1977 until 1987 and, prior to that, was a member of the Libraries Board from 1972 to 1976.

As Chairman of the Libraries Board, Mr Crawford guided the development of two reports entitled Library Development in South Australia (1978) and South Australian Libraries - Moving Towards 2000 (1986).

The first report became the blueprint for the establishment of all public libraries in South Australia, while the second supported the continued growth and development of these libraries.

Mr Crawford also spent more than 20 years as an elected local government member. He was a Councillor of Brighton City Council from 1973 until 1977, Mayor of Brighton from 1977 to 1980, and a Councillor at the City of Adelaide from 1985 until 1997.

Mr Crawford was a successful businessman who, through generous financial donations, sought to use his position as Chairman of Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) to benefit the wider community, including many charity groups.

Crawford

2012 Jim Crawford Award for Innovation in Libraries - Nomination Information

CMV encompasses a range of motor vehicle franchises and agricultural operations in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

A steadfast vision

Mr Crawford was well respected for his vision, sense of justice, personal and business ethics and genuine awareness of community needs.

In line with these character traits, he worked to establish a library network that would allow all South Australians to access books, information technology and other beneficial learning tools from a local library, regardless of where they lived.

"South Australia is significantly indebted to Jim Crawford for his creation and development of the South Australian public libraries network," Vice-President of Public Libraries South Australia (PLSA), Mr Geoff Strempel, said.

Jim Crawford

Jim Crawford

"Jim's towering personality, intellectual rigour, boundless energy and good humour were brought to bear on Governments and communities to ensure that public libraries were embraced as part of the fabric of South Australian life."

According to Mr Crawford's family, Jim Crawford was "not prepared to oversee the status quo, but had a vision of all people throughout South Australia having access to a free, quality public library network".

"Where the bureaucrats couldn't find a solution, Jim Crawford would burst through with his raw enthusiasm and passion and achieve what needed to be achieved," son, Mr Paul Crawford, said.

In keeping with his ability to broker partnerships in all walks of life, Mr Crawford convinced both State and Local Governments to implement an equal funding partnership for the public library network.

This partnership remains strong today.

The award

The Jim Crawford Award for Innovation in Libraries is available to individuals or groups working in, or associated with, public libraries eligible for funding by the Libraries Board of South Australia.

The intention of the award is to reward those people making a significant contribution to South Australia's public libraries and to encourage and drive further innovation.

In line with this, the award will be granted to recognise proven outstanding contribution to public libraries as judged against the following criteria:

  • the fostering and/or implementation of innovations in library services which have direct benefits to the public
  • the implementation of improvements which directly advance library services for disadvantaged communities
  • demonstrated individual excellence in providing inspirational leadership in the field of public libraries
  • the implementation of an outstanding proposal which keeps with the spirit of the award

Award funds may be used to:

  • provide professional development for staff
  • drive further innovation in service delivery through research and development
  • build on existing innovation
  • purchase significant equipment or library materials

Click on the following link to download the criteria for nomination - 2012 Jim Crawford Award for Innovation in Libraries - Nomination Information 

Note that before a winning Public Library or School/Community Library can receive any funds under the Awards, it must be registered as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) with the Australian Tax Office. This process is a simple one and information and an application form can be found on the bottom of this web page: http://www.ato.gov.au/nonprofit/content.asp?doc=/content/46645.htm&page=3#P52_2397


2012 Nominated Projects

Click here to view the activities that were nominated for the Jim Crawford Award for Innovation in Libraries in 2012, plus entries from previous years as well.

A copy of the Awards ceremony media release can be found here: https://www.lga.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=229&c=26748 


Award Recipients

2012
The Mount Gambier Library (City of Mount Gambier) won the Jim Crawford Award for Innovation in Libraries in 2012 at an Award presentation held on 20 July.  Two other awards were also made: an Encouragement Award was given to Alexandrina Library, Strathalbyn (Alexandrina Council); and as well as an Honourable Mention to Morgan Library (Mid Murray Council).

2010
The City of Salisbury Library (City of Salisbury) and the City of West Torrens Library (West Torrens) were joint winners of the Jim Crawford Award for Innovation in Libraries in 2010, the Yorketown Community and School Library (District Council of Yorke Peninsula) was presented with a Merit Award, and the Murray Bridge Public Library (The Rural City of Murray Bridge) and the Unley Young Writers' Group (City of Unley) were awarded Commendation Awards, at the Awards luncheon held 30 August 2010.

2008
The Charles Sturt Library Service (City of Charles Sturt) won the Jim Crawford Award for Innovation in Libraries in 2008, and the Murray Bridge Public Library (Rural City of Murray Bridge) was presented with a Merit Award, at the Awards luncheon held on 28 August 2008.

2007
A Merit Award was presented to the Campbelltown Public Library Service (City of Campbelltown) at the Awards Dinner on 23 October 2007.

2006
The Overall Award was presented to the West Torrens Library Service (City of West Torrens), and a Special Recognition Award was presented to the City of Onkaparinga.

2004
The Overall Award was presented to the District Council of Mt Barker, and a Commendation Award was presented to the City of Salisbury.

2002
The Inaugural Jim Crawford Award was presented to the Wattle Range Council.

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