An institution, not a person, has won this year's Laurie Copping Award for distinguished service to Australian children's literature in the ACT.
The National Library of Australia was on Friday named as the recipient of the award, which is presented by the ACT branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia.
It is named in honour of the late Laurie Copping, a former long-time principal at Hall Primary School and children's literature enthusiast.
Dr Belle Alderman, emeritus professor of children's literature at the University of Canberra, presented the award to the National Library's assistant director-general Luke Hickey.
One-hundred children's books and counting
The announcement was made in the theatre of the National Library, where the local branch each year celebrates the announcement of the CBCA Book of the Year awards.
Dr Alderman said the National Library had been recognised for that support but also for its role as a publisher.
"The NLA has brought quality literature for children by providing professional assistance, encouragement and recognition to many ACT children's book creators through NLA Publishing," she said.
"Since 2006, NLA Publishing has produced almost 100 beautifully-illustrated and informative children's books, based on its extraordinary collections here - a unique contribution, for sure.
"Several of its children's publications have been recognised in the CBCA awards and other prestigious national book awards.
"The NLA has also raised consciousness of the value of the importance of children's literature to the broader community by hosting special exhibitions."
'Humbled and honoured'
Mr Hickey said the National Library was humbled and honoured to receive the award.
Mr Hickey said it was especially wonderful for the NLA to receive an award named after Laurie Copping whose oral history was part of the library's collection.
"Children's literature has long been important to us," he said.
"We're really, really proud to hold items such as Ivan Southall's drafts, Norman Lindsay's letters and Mem Fox's personal papers, especially relevant on the 20th anniversary of my favourite kids' book, Where is the Green Sheep?
"We also hold the publish record of Australian children's books across many years and we will intro the future."
Mr Hickey said the library was also proud to support creatives through its publishing arm and by holding special events and exhibitions.
"Earlier this week, we hosted the Chief Minister's Reading Challenge Awards here in the theatre and later this year we will be hosting the Prime Minister's Literary Awards, here in the theatre as well, which includes children's literature," he said.
And there was always an eye to the future of the institution, with children's literature a big part of that.
"We know well the children who learn to love reading become the researchers and librarians who fill our beautiful building today," Mr Hickey said.
