Roving librarian spreads the word

Librarian Jenny Stubbs is the winner of the Queensland Writers Centre 2010 Johnno Award.

Damian Dunlop

DEDICATED librarian Jenny Stubbs has notched up another prestigious award in a long line of accolades.

The roving librarian and founder of the Ipswich Festival of Children’s Literature was named the winner of the Queensland Writers Centre 2010 Johnno Award.

Ms Stubbs, who has more than 20 years experience in literacy programs for children, was recognised for her commitment to literacy and engagement through reading and writing particularly Queensland’s south-west rural and regional communities.

Since 1995 the festival has enabled tens of thousands of primary-school aged students to experience books through a series of free community author events.

“I wanted to connect young people with Australian stories, through workshops and author talks,” Ms Stubbs said.

“I’m proud that the festival now reaches over 30 low socio-economic schools in Ipswich and surrounding rural communities, who could never afford to bring authors to their schools otherwise.”

This year the 12-day festival was held in Marburg and Ipswich but involved schools from an area stretching from Lowood and Laidley to Springfield.

“It gets kids reading, particularly the author visits,” she said. “Once the kids have met the author, they feel a connection.”

Established in 2001, the Johnno Award is presented to an individual or group in recognition of their outstanding contribution to Queensland writers and writing.

Ms Stubbs said winning the award had come as a big surprise.

“I didn’t even know I had been nominated,” she said.

“It came out of the blue.”