THREE Melville library staff won a scholarship at the state library board awards last week which will allow them to consult with First Nations youth and make the Willagee Library more appealing. 

Libraries team leader Jennifer Bawden, strategic initiatives lead Emma Hewitt and First Nations coordinator Aimee Ryan received one of two Kay Poustie Scholarships which seek to enhance library services through evidence-based research and experiential learning. 

The trio will lead the research project that will involve consultation with First Nations young people to identify priority growth areas, programming needs and learning requirements at Willagee Library, building upon existing relationships between the library and youth engagement staff and the community. 

The project will start in early 2025 and results are expected to aid other public libraries undertaking similar engagements.