Kerrie Burn, Mannix Library Manager at Catholic Theological College and the University of Divinity Library Hub, has earned Distinguished Certified Professional status from the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).
Already an Associate Fellow of the Association, she will be presented with her Certificate at an ALIA event in Melbourne on 23 August 2018. Among the requirements for Distinguished Certification are membership of ALIA for a minimum of five years, demonstration of professional/technical and personal knowledge and skills, evidence of a significant degree of autonomy in decision-making in practice and of course, to be actually employed in the Library and Information sector.
Kerrie is well-regarded throughout Catholic Theological College and the University of Divinity for her warmth and competence as Libary Manager. Associate Professor Shane Mackinlay, Principal of Catholic Theological College, noted that her certification is “a well-earned recognition of (her) professionalism, initiative and leadership”. Professor Peter Sherlock, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Divinity thanked Kerrie for her “efforts on behalf of all the libraries of the University, as well as (her) service at Mannix”. He expressed the feelings of all of us in his comment:
We are very fortunate to have someone of (her) capability and energy available to the University.
When invited to write a few lines about what her new status meant to her, Kerrie preferred to reflect on the value of taking Professional Development seriously.
I have been a bit of an ALIA professional development devotee over the years, having been a member of their Continuing Professional Development Scheme since 2003. Membership of the Scheme has been a very practical way to demonstrate my commitment to lifelong learning. Recording all of my PD, and the scheme’s requirement to reflect on the learning outcomes for each activity, has also helped me to identify gaps in my knowledge and thereby shape the selection of future activities. Many libraries that I’ve worked in haven’t necessarily had a lot of money allocated to professional development. However, I find that if you are interested enough there are always free PD opportunities available. This might include professional reading, getting involved in a work-based research project, joining a committee or working group, writing a blog post or journal article, investigating something new, attending webinars/seminars or presenting at a conference.
Congratulations Kerrie Burn AFALIA (DCP)
Article contributed by Catherine Place, Catholic Theological College
Kerrie Burn was appointed as the inaugural University Librarian in March 2023 and has managed the University’s online Library Hub, since it was launched in February 2016. She was the Library Manager at Mannix Library, Catholic Theological College in East Melbourne from 2014 to March 2024.
University of Divinity
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