Mr Smith, of Kurri Kurri, was one of three public library network advocates honoured at a ceremony in the Mitchell Library on December 5.

The citation for the award noted his exceptional service to public libraries at a local, state and national level.

Following his appointment as Cessnock Council’s delegate to the Country Public Library Association of NSW, Mr Smith went on to be elected chairman of that association, and to lead the amalgamation process that merged the country and metropolitan associations into a single state body.

He was a member of the Public Libraries Consultative Committee, which advises the State Library on public library matters.

Mr Smith was the spokesperson for public libraries in the Library Lovers Vote Too campaign, which led to the establishment of the Public Library Infrastructure Fund by the NSW Government.

He represented NSW on the Australian Public Library Alliance and the National Year of Reading, which has since transformed into the annual Reading Hour.

Mr Smith was humbled to receive the honour.

“I was elected to do a job and attempted to do it to the best of my ability,” he said.

“There are many others who have worked in the public library network for decades who deserve this recognition much more than me.”

Lyn Barakat, from the Sutherland Shire, and Robin Riley, from Tenterfield, were also named honorary fellows.