WHAT started as a stepping stone to another job has turned into a career lasting more than a quarter of a century for librarian Narelle Stone.
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Ms Stone has worked at the Bendigo TAFE library for 26 years and was recently recognised as Victoria’s favourite librarian by the Australian Library and Information Association.
“I think the person who nominated me said it was because I go the extra mile to help students and staff find what they’re looking for, and also for being friendly,” she said.
“I was very surprised and overwhelmed.”
Ms Stone said the award was a clear highlight of her career.
“I was doing a bachelor of arts up at La Trobe University and I needed a part time job,” she said. “Someone said I should pursue libraries as a career.
“When I first got the job my manager said it was an apprenticeship and a good stepping stone that would look good on the resume.
“It’s quite ironic because he’s long gone and I’m still here.” Ms Stone said she enjoyed helping students and staff and said there had been a lot of changes at the service since she started.
“There’s been a big change in people finding information,” she said.
“Everything seems to go in cycles. It’s the way we teach and learn that has changed.
“I think the library has embraced the internet; it’s nothing new to us, it’s just a different form of information. Librarians have always been there to guide people through that.”
Ms Stone hopes to stay with the library for many years to come.