Do you love your local library?
There’s a pretty good reason to celebrate them right now!
Voting is now opwn for the 2026 Jim Crawford Award for Innovation in Libraries, recognising the people, projects and services doing great things across South Australia’s public library network.
How to vote
To vote, read about each project below, decide who deserves to win and submit your vote. It’s that simple!
Voting closes 11:59 pm on Sunday 15 November.
The 2026 Jim Crawford Award Nominees are
Reimagining libraries at Ngutungka (City of Charles Sturt)
Ngutungka West Lakes and Ngutungka Henley are reimagining what a public library can be. Bringing library services and community development together, these welcoming spaces connect people through books, programs, shared meals, creative activities and local initiatives.
Since opening in 2022, Ngutungka West Lakes and, more recently, Ngutungka Henley have helped drive a 56% increase in library visits across the City of Charles Sturt’s library service.
By embedding community development into everyday library life, Ngutungka is helping people discover new opportunities, build relationships and feel part of their community.
Judges’ comments: The judges praised Ngutungka’s innovative operating model, which brings together diverse services and embeds community development into everyday library practice.
Social Work in Libraries (City of Adelaide and City of Salisbury)
Public libraries are often a first point of connection for people experiencing vulnerability, but library staff can’t be expected to manage complex social needs alone.
The Social Work in Libraries initiative brings professional social workers into libraries to support vulnerable community members, connect people with appropriate services and help staff respond confidently to challenging situations.
Through two complementary models, the City of Adelaide and City of Salisbury are improving access to support in trusted, welcoming spaces. By sharing their experiences and independently evaluating their approaches, the councils are building a model that could help libraries across South Australia better support their communities.
Judges comments: The judges recognised this fresh, research-based approach to supporting vulnerable community members, highlighting its thorough implementation and potential to be adopted by other libraries.
Early learning support for families (Light Regional Council)
An innovative council-led program – Building Early Engagement and Support (BEES) – is helping families across the Light region build a strong foundation for learning from birth. Through a five-year partnership, families receive free monthly book packs, age-appropriate development tips, play resources and connections to local services and other families.
Designed to be accessible to everyone, the program has already enrolled 130 children and families – 87% of its estimated target cohort. The service also supports access to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library – a free book gifting program for children.
By making early literacy and family support part of everyday library services, BEES is helping children develop a love of reading, supporting parents and carers, and creating stronger connections across the community.
Judges’ comments: The judges valued BEES’ focus on giving children the best possible start from birth, its use of developmental data to shape the initiative, and its success in encouraging ongoing library engagement.
Library After Dark for young adults (City of Onkaparinga)
Library After Dark is opening library doors to young adults aged 18 to 30, offering a free, welcoming space to socialise, get creative and build friendships. Held monthly after hours, the program lets participants join in their own way – whether that’s playing games, trying craft activities, sharing ideas or simply spending time with others.
Attendance has grown from five people at the first session to 21, with participants returning, forming friendships and reconnecting with their local library.
By creating a relaxed, inclusive space shaped by young adults themselves, the City of Onkaparinga is showing how libraries can help tackle social isolation and build stronger community connections.
Judges comments: The judges praised the targeted approach to supporting 18 to 30-year-olds who may fall between youth and adult programs, noting the clear value of the initiative demonstrated through participant testimonials.
The award is all about celebrating the fresh ideas and innovations happening in SA libraries and the important role libraries play in our communities every day.
And when you think about just how much our libraries do, there’s plenty to celebrate. South Australia’s 140 public libraries collectively lend more than 11.5 million items and deliver more than 64,000 programs each year, with almost half a million members across the state.
From helping kids discover a love of reading to providing access to technology, supporting people looking for work and connecting communities through programs and activities, libraries are about so much more than books.
The award is named in honour of Jim Crawford, former Chair of the Libraries Board of South Australia, who played an important role in establishing the statewide public library network we know and love today.
The successful library will receive a $10,000 cash prize, which can be used to:
- develop or upgrade library services
- provide professional development for library staff
- expand or build on an existing innovation
- purchase library materials
Vote for your favourite nominee before Sunday 15 November.
For more information visit www.lga.sa.gov.au
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