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. This 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. The recipient of the School Library Association of New South Wales John Hirst Award for 2021 is Gina Krohn. Gina is a Teacher Librarian at Glenfield Public School, Sydney.

As an outreach officer for the national Students Need School Libraries campaign, Gina sought political endorsement for, and wrote, the 2020 library petition presented to the NSW Parliament, advocating for the need for qualified teacher librarians and support staff in NSW schools. Gina continues to approach authors, book suppliers, publishers and other industry professionals to support this campaign and to make clearer the relationship between school libraries and a healthy publishing industry.

Gina also created and maintains the Primary Libraries Creative Collaboration (PLCC) website. This site functions as a free resource bank, providing access to a comprehensive range of relevant library-focused information including K-6 programs, units of work, policies, activities of other networks and organisations. This collaborative and safe space for primary school teacher librarians results in them being able to extend their networks and share their expertise and experience.

Gina Krohn has made an outstanding contribution through her organisation of professional learning events, provision of professional resources, and efforts to raise the profile of teacher librarians in their school communities and beyond. These efforts align with the objectives of the Association and makes Gina a worthy recipient of the John Hirst Award 2021. Members of the School Library Association of NSW congratulate her on this achievement.

This award will be presented at Representation Matters: Embracing diversity and inclusion Professional Learning Summit on March 19th, 2022.