Marjorie Cotton
Encyclopedia
Marjorie Cotton Isherwood, best known by the name Marjorie Cotton (1913–2003), was the first professionally qualified children's librarian
in New South Wales, Australia
. She initiated programs that are the basis of services to children in Australian public libraries
today.
, including weekly story sessions, contact and collaboration with school
s, providing material for children in languages other than English
and appointing qualified children's librarians.
Her influence reached far beyond the Ku-ring-gai
, Newcastle
, Randwick
and Woollahra
libraries in which she worked. She was the first president of the Library Association of Australia
Children's Libraries Section in 1953. Marjorie worked with Bess Thomas
conducting the first Australian course in Children’s Librarianship at Mosman Municipal
Library, which was attended by librarian
s from four states
in 1954.
s. Marjorie’s contribution to Australian children’s literature also includes persuading Desmond Digley to illustrate
the well-loved Australian poem Waltzing Matilda
by A.B. Paterson
, which won the Australian Children's Book of the Year Award in 1971.
, who sought her advice on children's library services in 1955 requesting that she prepare a paper for a seminar to be held in Delhi on the subject of “Stimulating Children’s Reading”. 800 delegates assembled at Parliament House where Prime Minister Nehru gave the opening address. Of the 46 presenters, only one was a woman.
. The Award strives to:
of Marjorie Cotton, painted by Jean Isherwood, is held in Australia's National Portrait Gallery
. A number of photographs of Marjorie Cotton are held in the Woollahra Library Local History Centre collection, highlighting the years Marjorie spent working there.
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
in New South Wales, Australia
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. She initiated programs that are the basis of services to children in Australian public libraries
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
today.
Contributions to children's librarianship
Marjorie Cotton pioneered many of the services now associated with children's librarianship in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, including weekly story sessions, contact and collaboration with school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
s, providing material for children in languages other than English
Foreign language
A foreign language is a language indigenous to another country. It is also a language not spoken in the native country of the person referred to, i.e. an English speaker living in Japan can say that Japanese is a foreign language to him or her...
and appointing qualified children's librarians.
Her influence reached far beyond the Ku-ring-gai
Ku-ring-gai Council
Ku-ring-gai Council is a Local Government Area in the North Shore region of Sydney. It includes the suburbs of Lindfield, Killara, Gordon, Pymble, St Ives, Turramurra, Warrawee, and parts of Roseville, and Wahroonga. The region is named after the Kuringgai tribe who once inhabited the area...
, Newcastle
City of Newcastle
Newcastle City Council is a Local Government Area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia.-Demographics:According to the Australian Bureau Statistics the City of Newcastle had an estimated resident population of 154,777 as of 30 June 2008...
, Randwick
City of Randwick
The City of Randwick is a Local Government Area in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. One of Sydney's largest parks, Centennial Park, lies within the city boundary of Randwick. Other major landmarks in Randwick include the world-famous Randwick Racecourse,...
and Woollahra
Municipality of Woollahra
The Municipality of Woollahra is a Local Government Area in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The administrative centre of the Municipality of Woollahra is located on New South Head Road at Double Bay....
libraries in which she worked. She was the first president of the Library Association of Australia
Australian Library and Information Association
The Australian Library and Information Association is the peak professional organisation for the Australian library and information services sector....
Children's Libraries Section in 1953. Marjorie worked with Bess Thomas
Bess Thomas
Bessie Margaret Thomas was an Australian librarian of English and Canadian heritage. In 1945, the Mosman Municipal Library was established and Thomas was given the position of chief librarian, the first female in New South Wales to have held such a position.-Early life:Thomas was the third child...
conducting the first Australian course in Children’s Librarianship at Mosman Municipal
Municipality of Mosman
The Municipality of Mosman is a Local Government Area on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia.- Demographics :According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics...
Library, which was attended by librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
s from four states
States and territories of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...
in 1954.
Raising the standard of Australian children's literature
Marjorie acted as a judge on the Children’s Book Council of Australia Award panel several times. In this capacity she worked hard to raise the standard of Australian picture bookPicture book
A picture book combines visual and verbal narratives in a book format, most often aimed at young children. The images in picture books use a range of media such as oil paints, acrylics, watercolor and pencil.Two of the earliest books with something like the format picture books still retain now...
s. Marjorie’s contribution to Australian children’s literature also includes persuading Desmond Digley to illustrate
Illustration
An illustration is a displayed visualization form presented as a drawing, painting, photograph or other work of art that is created to elucidate or dictate sensual information by providing a visual representation graphically.- Early history :The earliest forms of illustration were prehistoric...
the well-loved Australian poem Waltzing Matilda
Waltzing Matilda
"Waltzing Matilda" is Australia's most widely known bush ballad. A country folk song, the song has been referred to as "the unofficial national anthem of Australia"....
by A.B. Paterson
Banjo Paterson
Andrew Barton "Banjo" Paterson, OBE was an Australian bush poet, journalist and author. He wrote many ballads and poems about Australian life, focusing particularly on the rural and outback areas, including the district around Binalong, New South Wales where he spent much of his childhood...
, which won the Australian Children's Book of the Year Award in 1971.
Recognition
Marjorie Cotton's expertise was recognized by overseas organizations such as UNESCOUNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
, who sought her advice on children's library services in 1955 requesting that she prepare a paper for a seminar to be held in Delhi on the subject of “Stimulating Children’s Reading”. 800 delegates assembled at Parliament House where Prime Minister Nehru gave the opening address. Of the 46 presenters, only one was a woman.
The Marjorie Cotton Award
A biennial award was established in Marjorie’s memory by the Australian Library and Information AssociationAustralian Library and Information Association
The Australian Library and Information Association is the peak professional organisation for the Australian library and information services sector....
. The Award strives to:
- promote the role and image of librarians providing library services for young people
- recognize individual achievement and co-operative networking in providing services for young people in public libraries and school libraries
- encourage children's and youth services librarians and teacher librarians to actively support the profession and the Association
Past recipients of the Marjorie Cotton Award
- Melinda McNaughton (2008) Sutherland Shire Libraries
- Carolyn Bourke (2006), Fairfield City Library Service
- Joanne Oliver (2004), Camden Library Service
- Sarah Steed (2000), Parramatta Library
- Narelle Poulton (1998), Central Northern Libraries: Tamworth
- Heather Fisher (1996), Gosford City Library
Images
A portraitPortrait
thumb|250px|right|Portrait of [[Thomas Jefferson]] by [[Rembrandt Peale]], 1805. [[New-York Historical Society]].A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. The intent is to display the likeness,...
of Marjorie Cotton, painted by Jean Isherwood, is held in Australia's National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery (Australia)
The National Portrait Gallery of Australia is a collection of portraits of prominent Australians that are important in their field of endeavour or whose life sets them apart as an individual of long-term public interest...
. A number of photographs of Marjorie Cotton are held in the Woollahra Library Local History Centre collection, highlighting the years Marjorie spent working there.