Kerryn Jones returned to Parkes after 38 years to be closer to family. Little did she know she would end up Manager Cultural, Education and Library Services.
“I am thrilled to be in this role,” said Kerrynin her new office at the Parkes Library.
“I am on a steep learning curve as I have alot to learn in the library area, but I’m lucky to have a very strong team here and in the other libraries at Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore.”
Kerryn left Parkes to attend Sydney University where she completed a degree in education, and worked in Sydney for about 18 years before she moved to Adelaide where she lectured at the university and TAFE. She tasted small town living again moving to Roxby Downs for three years. She returned to Adelaide to work with the Education Department, and in December last year she and her sister decided to move back to Parkes.
Initially she thought her biggest challenge was to start a garden at her newly bought house, but her new position is going to stretch her even more.
Apart from learning about library services, she will have to oversee the library expansion project, as well as moving the whole collection and all the library services to a new location during construction.
“It is a really exciting project flowing from consultation with community groups. The library is a fabulous community service and has excellent programs, but space was a limitation. With the expansion project completed by the middle of next year, we will be able to grow and respond better to community needs.”
Kerryn envisions the new space to become a hub for culture, education and library services offering lifelong learning to the community.
She is looking forward to connecting with all the cultural groups in Parkes to use the new space to its full potential.One thing Kerryn does not need to work on is her love of reading. “I have a wide taste for fiction and non-fiction, and especially Australian literature, as well as Australian movies and music.”
After a little bit of thought she did confess that the classic To Kill A Mockingbird was one of her favourite books of all time though.
By Maggi Barnard