The State Library of NSW paid tribute to former Governor Dame Marie Bashir by renaming its recently-refurbished reference library in her honour on Monday, 20 October 2014.
Deputy Premier Troy Grant said, “This public tribute offers appropriate recognition not only of Dame Marie Bashir’s high regard and active support for the State Library but also of her substantial and widely applauded commitment and extraordinary contributions to the State of New South Wales.”
Dame Marie Bashir first visited the Library when she was a student, and went on to support in her official capacity as Governor of NSW for thirteen years.
Dame Marie said she felt greatly honoured to have her name applied to the Reading Room in one of the world’s great libraries.
“Indeed, my own life’s journey has been significantly enriched by the Library through the countless hours and days spent in that intellectually nurturing environment – an experience difficult to define – but undoubtedly ever present,” said Dame Marie.
“It is indeed a profound honour for which I shall always be grateful, to have one’s name associated with this great Australian library.”
The Governor Marie Bashir Reading Room provides access to an extensive collection of Australian and international research material, in 42 languages and an ever-growing number of electronic reference resources. More than 600,000 people, including local and family historians, researchers, students and the general public, visit the Reading Room to find information.
The State Library has also expanded its Indigenous Services Branch, which runs family history workshops, to communities across NSW.
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