Exceptional performance and excellent customer service from library staff at Central Queensland University’s Gladstone campus has been acknowledged through the library's Inaugural Excel Award. Librarian, Carol Ryan and library assistant, Julie Reading were nominated for the award by Campus Library Manager, Karin Simon.

The inaugural award, a $500 cheque to go towards professional development, was open to all staff at CQU libraries on all Queensland campuses. Winning this award now puts Carol and Julie into the running for the University’s Vice Chancellor's Excel Award.

Ms Simon said that in nationwide surveys run over the last three years, the CQU Library was the only library to be rated in the top five performing libraries of 2003 in each of the five survey categories. Those categories included communication, service quality and service delivery. Out of 36 libraries surveyed in the past three years, the CQU libraries were one of the top performers according to surveyed clients.

“This year is particularly special for the Gladstone campus as we are celebrating our fifth year in the Cyril Golding building,” said Ms Simon.

Students have embraced the separate library building with its larger facilities to such an extent that the 100,000th entry to the library is predicted to occur in Orientation Week next week.

“Library staff will be anxiously checking the door counter during the first few days of Orientation and the lucky student who becomes the 100,000th visitor will receive prizes donated by generous businesses around Gladstone,” said Ms Simon.