The Jill Sherlock Memorial Learning Assistance Library, Oatlands, NSW

The Jill Sherlock Memorial Learning Assistance Library is an initiative of the NSW Department of Education and Communities and the Sherlock Family. This state facility provides resources to assist teachers and parents with the education of students with learning difficulties. Background Jill Sherlock was a talented and respected support teacher who worked in schools in the western suburbs of Sydney. Jill died in 1990 at the age of 35. Following her death, Jill's family approached the NSW Department of Education expressing the wish to establish a tangible memorial to her work in the area of learning difficulties. The concept of a specialist resource library was developed by Ross Lang (DET) in consultation with the Sherlock family. The Jill Sherlock Memorial Learning Assistance Library was officially opened on 25 October 1993 by Mr Reg Pollock, Assistant Director-General (Metropolitan West Region). In 2000 the Library received a national award of excellence from the Australian Resource Educators Association in recognition of "its exceptional contribution to the improvement of learning outcomes by providing special services and resources to support effective teaching and learning practices for students with learning difficulties". In 2003 the Library celebrated its 10th anniversary in the presence of Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC, Governor of NSW and the Sherlock family. Professor Bashir stated that The Jill Sherlock Memorial Learning Assistance Library was "a priceless resource for countless children and parents". The Library also works in partnership with the NSW Centre for Effective Reading by providing specialist teaching and learning materials to professionals and families supporting children with reading difficulties. From humble beginnings the Library now provides services across NSW. It is committed to providing quality, authoritative and effective resources to assist in the education of students with learning difficulties.