Published on Thursday, 28 August 2025 at 12:32:54 PM
The Denmark Public Library’s innovative Birdwatching Kits initiative has received a commendation at the prestigious 2025 Library Board of Western Australia Awards, held on 31 July at the State Library of Western Australia as part of Library and Information Week.
The Library Board Awards celebrate excellence in Western Australian libraries, promoting innovation and collaboration across the sector, and this year’s judges were impressed by the strength and ingenuity of the applications, awarding a commendation to the Denmark Public Library for its Birdwatching Kits program - one of five commendations made at the event.
Responding to strong local interest in birdlife, our Library developed three Birdwatching Kits in 2024, containing quality binoculars, birdwatching field guides, and information on bird species and birdwatching sites in and around Denmark.
Senior Librarian Robyn Fairclough said the commendation recognises the Denmark Public Library’s commitment to fostering curiosity, environmental awareness, and lifelong learning.
“Our Birdwatching Kits have encouraged both adults and younger library members to learn, explore and get excited about our local birds and wildlife, and it’s wonderful to be acknowledged for this achievement,” said Mrs Fairclough.
Since their launch, the kits have been borrowed 21 times for a total of 52 weeks, and have also been loaned out to local schools and the Denmark Environment Centre to support nature-based learning and guided walks.
The program has also inspired new additions to the Library’s collection, including junior bird books, bird-themed games, and bird-related Storytime sessions.
The Library has since partnered with the Denmark Bird Group to host all-ages bird identification sessions, and has also collaborated with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to deliver children’s workshops on nesting shorebirds.
Mrs Fairclough said that thanks to these popular programs held during school holidays, the Birdwatching Kits have even helped attract new library members, including families, support workers and nature enthusiasts.
“After hosting our first information session, we were thrilled with the number of families who came along, eager to try out the new kits, and we hope new library members continue to borrow them.”
The Library’s Birdwatching Kits program was developed with funding provided by The Learning for a Better World (LBW) Trust and Friends of Libraries Australia, and the generous contributions from authors John Anderson and Michael Morcombe, who donated copies of their field guides to support the initiative.
Image: Denmark Library Officer, Nicola Shaw (centre), receiving the commendation from Chairman of the Library Board of Western Australia, John Day (left) and CEO of the State Library of Western Australia, Catherine Clark (right).
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