Recent award recipients

The Pierre Gorman award is a biennial grant, offered by the Library Board of Victoria to support public libraries to enhance their services for people with disabilities. The award aims to encourage libraries to create innovative programs and services that address the specific needs and challenges faced by the disability community.

2024 recipient: Meenah Harrison, Information Librarian, Greater Dandenong Libraries

Meenah Harrison was the project lead for the pilot of the Self Employment Training program, a co-designed program for young people with intellectual disability. The program aimed to support participants to start a small business, improve confidence and broaden self-employment options. The program was delivered over 10 weeks by Greater Dandenong Libraries in 2024.

Participants in the program learnt about business plans, networks, mission and values, brainstorming, branding, marketing, record keeping and tracking finances.

The report, and toolkit to support other public libraries to host a similar program, are available to download below.