Three Tasmanian library workers will head overseas to boost their skills after being awarded the prestigious Sir John Morris Memorial Trust Travelling Scholarships.

Tasmanian Education Minister David Bartlett said today that Adult and Family Literacy senior project officer Hugh Fielding, State Library of Tasmania senior manager Jane Coatman and Parliamentary librarian Juliet Scaife had been awarded scholarships worth a total of $25,000.

“The scholarships aim to help Tasmanian library and archive workers who are seeking to develop their skills and knowledge by attending conferences, workshops and seminars or by undertaking educational travel,” he said.

“I think it’s really important for people to experience learning overseas and bring their knowledge back to share and benefit the wider Tasmanian community.”

Mr Bartlett said that the Sir John Morris Travelling Scholarships were initiated in 1995-96, and nine scholarships were awarded through until 2002-03.

“The State Library and Archives Trust reinstituted the awards in 2006-07 and due to the exceptionally high standard of the applications received, three scholarships have been awarded this year,” he said.

“The recipients will investigate such topics as adult literacy, online service delivery strategies in Parliamentary librarianship, and virtual library services.

“All three recipients will, through their investigations, be in a good position to contribute to developing our vision of the library in the 21st Century and literacy initiatives across the state.” Hugh Fielding: Awarded $10,000

The Senior Project Officer (Adult and Family Literacy) will investigate the adult literacy policies, strategies and outcomes in the United Kingdom, Sweden and Canada to better inform our practices here in Tasmania.

Juliet Scaife: Awarded $5,000
The Parliamentary Librarian, will visit Parliamentary libraries in the United Kingdom and Canada.  Her visit is also supported by the Parliament of Tasmania. 

Jane Coatman: Awarded $10,000
The Senior Manager (Systems Delivery) in the State Library of Tasmania, will examine trends in the delivery of virtual library services.