Member of the Order of Australia for Mount Ousley's John Shipp

But it improved out of sight when John Shipp and a couple of colleagues introduced online information into university libraries in the late 80’s and early 90’s.

‘’We were ahead of overseas, certainly America,’’ Mr Shipp said.

‘’We followed Britain a little bit but we really gave Australia a boost to getting access to online information, which was quite new at that time.

‘’I believe being involved in this prompted one of my colleagues to put me up for the award.’’

Mr Shipp has received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to library and information management in the tertiary education sector, and to emerging technologies.

The 66-year-old from Mount Ousley said the award was a ‘’great honour’’.

‘’It is not something I sought. People did it on my behalf,’’ he said.

‘’I suppose it is recognition that I put a lot of my own time into various things. I chaired lots of committees, was president of the Council of Australian University Librarians [1992-96] and also the Australian Library and Information Association [2015-16 and 1998].

‘’It [award] sort of recognises what everybody in those organisations does as well. It is part of the contribution of community.’’

Mr Shipp lists his time at the University of Wollongong , where he served as chief librarian (1986-97), library executive officer (1982-86) and archivist (1977-1982) as a highlight.

‘’Being made an honorary fellow of the university in 1998 was one of the honours that I really cherish,’’ he said.

Mr Shipp, who has four step-children, nine grand children and nine great grandchildren, also was the University of Sydney chief librarian from 1997 until he retired in 2011.

Ever since he has spent at least two days a week volunteering at the Illawarra Museum and Historical Society, which he also manages.

‘’I’ve got a real thing about people like myself, who have been fortunate in life, who are educated and have well paying jobs, that they need to give back to the community,’’ Mr Shipp said.

‘’Ever since I’ve retired I’ve given at least two days a week to the Illawarra Museum. People should give more back to the community.’’