Library Citation - Mary Ronnie
The 2007 Dunedin Public Libraries Citation recipient was Mary Ronnie.
The award was presented at the library's annual Christmas morning tea for volunteers and others who had assisted the library during the year.
2007 Citation Details
The 2007 Library Citation has been awarded to Mary Ronnie in recognition of her outstanding contribution to public libraries and historical research.
This contribution has included Mary’s leadership of the Dunedin Public Library as City Librarian from 1968 to 1976 during which the current Dunedin City Library at 230 Moray Place was approved by Council and designed.
Mary subsequently served as National Librarian from 1976 to 1981 and Auckland City Librarian from 1982 to 1985.
In addition to her illustrious library management career, Mary has been an exemplary in her use of libraries and archives in researching the many books and articles, which she has written and published, including Books to the People: a history of regional library services in New Zealand; North Otago in the Printed Word; Hospital and Housebound Services and Education for Librarianship in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
During 2006 and 2007, Mary’s extensive knowledge and experience of public libraries, her knowledge of Dunedin’s history and her authoritative and lively writing style have been applied to researching and writing the definitive history of the Dunedin Public Library to be published in 2008 as the centerpiece of the Dunedin Public Library Centenary.