The recent retirement of long-serving Horowhenua District Librarian Rosalie Blake was acknowledged at a function in Levin on July 24th 2009, hosted by the District Council at its impressive premises.
Rosalie has served at the helm of Horowhenua District for nearly three decades, and the respect and regard with which she is held was clearly in evidence at her farewell. People from around the region were in attendance, headed by Mayor Brendon Duffy and numerous District Councillors. Rosalie's library colleagues came not just from her own library, but from across the lower North Island, including National Librarian Penny Carnaby, who was one of the guest speakers. Many local people were also there, paying tribute to Rosalie's long and illustrious career and her many achievements. It was lovely to see Rosalie's sons and their families present too.
Horowhenua Library Trust chair Sharon Crosbie was MC for the evening and read a number of tributes from those unable to be present at the function, which got underway with a generous array of refreshments. Mayor Duffy (resplendent in his official chain of office) paid tribute to Rosalie's leadership and vision as District Librarian, making the Library a much-loved and valued place for the whole community. He noted that his library was the only one to have won LIANZA's 3M Award for Innovation in Libraries on two occasions (both for open-source initiatives which have since been taken up by libraries around the world), and which have gone on to receive further acclaim. He also took pleasure in announcing that the Foxton Library was to be refurbished, and that the Levin Library was shortly to expand onto nearby vacant land. Rosalie was presented with flowers and a gold watch, and made a short speech in reply.
National Librarian Penny Carnaby spoke about Rosalie's contribution to the profession and was followed by Deputy Chair of the Trust George Sue, who read a message from local MP Darren Hughes (in New York), who was given his first job by Rosalie some years earlier - as an after-school shelver at the Levin Library.
Rosalie has worked at Horowhenua Libraries since 1981, in a variety of positions which she keeps reinventing. Currently Head of Libraries for the Horowhenua Library Trust She loves computers, email, web pages - so it's not surprising she took a punt with Koha, the world's first open source library system. She has served several terms as Regional and National Councillor for LIANZA, hatching the Great New Zealand TV Turn-Off (a Library Week promotion), a revamp of the Public Library Statistics, and the 1995 edition of the Public Library Standards for New Zealand Libraries.
Following the formal proceedings guests were treated to supper.
Rosalie has left a wonderful legacy at Horowhenua District Libraries, and a great team of people to carry on the good work.
Queens Service's medal - Rosalie Helen Blake, Levin, for services to the library profession. Congratulations Rosalie Well deserved :-)
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