A 21-year-old librarian's love of books and dedication to the young people in her community has won her the NSW trainee of the year award.
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Emily Jones passed her traineeship with flying colours in November last year and is now the youth officer for the Great Hume Council libraries in Henty, Culcairn, and Holbrook.
As the youth officer she runs events for the library and all the local high schools, where she hopes to help young people follow their dreams and transition into adulthood.
To this end she runs mentoring sessions, support programs, careers counselling, and a slew of community events designed to get young people the best start in life.
Her favourite event so far has been Henty's Festival of Possibilities, which featured music, free food, mental health services, and businesses keen to scout young people looking to get a foot in the door.
"I've always been passionate about helping people in my community. Growing up within the Greater Hume I've seen the areas I'd like to help out and I'd love to give other young people the opportunities that I had," Ms Jones said.
"I'd love to stay within my youth development role. I feel it's an incredible job, and I'd like to help spread the youth service roles into more areas and contact more services to create bigger experiences for young people."
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During her traineeship she was mentored by veteran librarian Susan Kane, who said Emily always brought passion and energy into the library.
She first met Emily when she was a 17-year-old volunteer on the local youth advisory committee, and since then she has been consistently blown away by her unwavering work ethic.
"She's worked so hard and has such a love for the community. It made everyone feel happy to be at work," Ms Kane said.
"I can't stress how community minded she is: she's on the local health advisory committee, she's on the show committee, she always helps out wherever she can."