Issue 139

Renate’s career trajectory was an inspiration to many of us who found school life challenging. From a high school student who struggled with English class, to becoming a communicator and influencer whose knowledge and wisdom has inspired many colleagues and library students, Renate was a beloved driving force in all her workplaces.

Renate’s career took her from teacher librarian, to Educational Lending Rights coordinator, TAFE cataloguing educator, and finally to SCIS Catalogue Content Manager. She also contributed to the ALIA Community of Resource Description (ACORD) and founded the ALIA Schools Cataloguing Community of Practice (a forum for discussion of bibliographic metadata and information discoverability in school libraries).

At SCIS, as the Content Manager, Renate saw us through a transition of library management systems (from Voyager to Koha); trained countless new and experienced cataloguers in the art of being a ‘SCIS cataloguer’; initiated the Schools’ Consultative Group to involve schools in decision-making on SCIS Standards and Subject Headings; and spearheaded the campaigns to include AIATSIS codes for Australian First Nations’ places and languages and Ngā Upoko Tukutuku Māori subject headings in SCIS records.

Respect in cataloguing, and reparative description, was a theme throughout Renate’s time at SCIS. She researched and consulted intensively to ensure we had made our absolute best effort to ensure that SCIS Standards and the language used in our controlled vocabularies were as respectful and inclusive as possible – not only for First Nations peoples, but for all marginalised groups.

One of Renate’s SCIS biographies reads: ‘Renate loves cataloguing not only because it puts the world in order, but because it facilitates connections between people and quality resources that meet their information needs in a respectful and equitable manner.’

This is such an apt summary of what Renate stood for: order, community connection, respect and equity. As well as being a greatly respected and knowledgeable library professional who made an enormous contribution to content description in school libraries, Renate was also a loving mother, grandmother and elder in her faith community. She was a massive Lord of The Rings, Harry Potter and Lego and board game fan; and for us here at SCIS, the lynch pin of our strategic direction, professionalism and social activities. We will miss you always, Renate, as a colleague and as a friend.

- The SCIS team

Mike Botham, NSW SCIS Team, July, 2026

When Renate visited the NSW Team in our new digs in Parramatta in August 2019, I was away on unforeseen family leave. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. The anticipation of a ‘royal visit’ from SCIS HQ garnered considerable excitement.

Imagine my delight when, a few weeks later, Renate emailed me with an offer to meet up in September when she and her husband, Tony, would be in Sydney. The catch: it would be a Saturday.

Never one to let a good opportunity go to waste, I indicated my keenness. Arrangements were made, and a date and time locked in.

My wife and I met Renate and Tony at the railway station of the village in which we reside in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.

We walked through the village to the pub for a delightful long lunch and good conversation, and followed this with some local sightseeing as Renate and Tony had not explored this part of the Blue Mountains before.

This informal meeting set the tone for the next seven years. Renate was more than just an interstate manager to whom I reported. Our conversations – email, phone, Zoom and very occasionally in person – always included time for more than just work-related issues.

A real connection had been established and nurtured in the garden of mutual respect and shared humanity.

At Renate’s Celebration of Life service there were many references to her prowess as a communicator and her determination to make connections, to collaborate and consult, and to include rather than exclude.

I shall miss Renate’s knowledge shared so generously, her passion for school librarianship, and her love of number-building in Dewey.

I am fortunate to have spent these past seven years in her orbit.

Vale, Renate.  

 

Catherine Barnes, Course Coordinator: Information Management, Adelaide University

Renate was an innovator, a collaborator and a mentor. As a fellow educator in cataloguing, she willingly shared her experience with me, whilst also encouraging me to explore and incorporate new technologies. We worked together on ACORD and ORDAC, where Renate offered intelligent feedback on proposals to the RDA Board, engaged in animated discussions on best practice and ensured school libraries were represented in conversations about cataloguing standards.

However, my fondest memory of Renate was when we connected at a conference and she suggested that we meet to discuss reparative description in school libraries. That conversation stayed with me because it reflected so much of who Renate was: thoughtful, generous with her time, and always willing to explore how cataloguing practice could become more inclusive, respectful and responsive to the communities we serve. She had a remarkable ability to turn a professional discussion into an opportunity for shared learning, encouragement and meaningful connection.

Renate’s final contribution to the library community was the Schools Cataloguing Community of Practice. As the instigator of this group, she brought together school library staff from all roles, locations and levels of experience, creating a supportive environment where learning and connection were at the heart of its purpose.

 

Bec Blight, member of the SCIS Schools Consultative Group

This has shocked me, and I’m sure everyone Renate worked with is missing her terribly. While I did not know Renate well, she was so dedicated to helping school library staff with cataloguing. She even had me considering trying to work for SCIS in the future, such was her influence on me. I can’t begin to imagine the hole that Renate has left in SCIS but more importantly in your hearts.

My sympathies.

 

Caroline Hartley, former SCIS manager

I had the privilege of working with Renate at Education Services Australia. She was a consummate professional and a much-loved member of our team. Renate will be warmly remembered by all of us who had the pleasure of working alongside her across the school library community.

 

Rachel Elliott, former GM, Digital Services

Sending my heartfelt condolences to Renate’s family, friends and the SCIS team. I had the great privilege of interviewing Renate for her role at SCIS, and within minutes I remember putting down my pen and thinking how incredibly lucky we’d be if she chose us! Vale Renate. You were an industry legend who inspired so many. Always kind, always generous, and you will always be missed.

Renate and Rachel

 

Frances Todd, SCIS cataloguer

So young to pass away, especially with her delight at being a grandma. I think of Renate with much affection and respect as both a courageous person and a wise colleague. I remember well our coffee/tea meet-n-chat at Coorparoo when she last visited Brisbane in her official capacity. Thoughts are with you all at SCIS and, of course, her family.

 

Ying Xian

Today, I would like to remember Renate Beilharz AALIA with gratitude and respect.

I was fortunate to be one of Renate’s students at Box Hill Institute. She was my cataloguing teacher, and her passion for bibliographic metadata, combined with her patience and generosity, left a lasting impression on me.

One memory that has stayed with me all these years is Renate saying with a warm smile, ‘The more you catalogue, the more knowledge you’ll gain.’ She would often finish with her cheerful ‘Okey dokey!’ Those simple words and her enthusiasm made learning cataloguing both enjoyable and inspiring.

As my career has progressed, I have often reflected on the knowledge and professional values Renate shared in the classroom. Cataloguing is sometimes seen as work that happens behind the scenes, but Renate helped us understand its true purpose: making knowledge discoverable, accessible and meaningful for everyone. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my career.

Reading ALIA’s tribute reminds me that I was just one of the many librarians whose professional journeys were shaped by Renate. Her influence reached far beyond the classroom, benefiting libraries, library staff and library users. Her commitment to respectful resource description and her generosity in sharing knowledge have left an enduring legacy for our profession.

Thank you, Renate, for inspiring so many of us and for everything you gave to librarianship. Your impact will live on through the countless students and colleagues whose careers you helped shape.

Vale Renate Beilharz AALIA.

Your legacy will continue to inspire our profession.

 

Carmel Grimmett, former Library Coordinator, DET NSW

It was such an honour and pleasure to have the opportunity to get to know Renate in recent years through our professional work and shared passion for school libraries. Renate’s considered and meticulous contribution to the field is something to celebrate; initially Renate did this when delivering professional learning on cataloguing at a tertiary level, and later, in her exemplary leadership of the specialist cataloguing team at SCIS.

At the time of SCIS’ fortieth anniversary, I was awestruck by the preparation and thoroughness with which Renate led workshops with the assembled members of the SCIS cataloguing team. Her intention was to anticipate trends in cataloguing and identify steps to future proof the integrity of the data and the processes used in SCIS and from there, in school library systems in Australia and internationally.

At all times, Renate operated through a lens of compassion, showing great awareness of the social and cultural power and implications that the terms and attitudes reflected in SCIS metadata might have for library users. Renate leaves a very impressive legacy indeed.

Vale Renate Beilharz.

 

SCIS team member

With the passing of our north star into the next world, I wanted to share some moments I had with her.

One of my first memories from when I started at SCIS about 5 years ago is of an inviting, loudly laughing and kind soul in Renate, who looked out for me and made me feel part of the SCIS family, even though she had only known me for about 5 minutes. I can still hear her laughter now – unreserved, unfiltered, filling any room with joy.

In moments of work when we had differing views on a koha topic, Renate was passionate, determined and tenacious. I pity the fool who would seek to dampen the fire in Renate with a different perspective. However, she would hear me out, considering and taking on anything she thought made good sense. She taught me how to be a better team player.

Sometimes I can find navigating the social aspects of life quite a challenge. Any time Renate noticed this, she was there like a mother goose to look out for me and get me through it, with a smile, a look or a quick catch up.

I am sure others have many other stories about the intelligent, gloriously hilarious and bright north star that Renate was. She lives on in our memories, our lessons learnt from her and in our hearts.The world is a little less bright now, and perhaps for a time it will be little dim. However, I imagine if Renate could be here to comfort us all, she would extend her mother goose wings and wrap us all up in warmth and care.

See you in the next life Renate.

 

Nicole Parums, Library Technician, The Friends School.

Over the years I have participated in professional learning conducted by Renate, and most recently have had the pleasure of working more closely with her as part of the SCIS Schools Consultative Group.

The first of Renate’s qualities that springs to mind was her willingness to listen and to think deeply about new possibilities. She was always willing to interrogate her own assumptions and processes, and find new ways of doing things that served the cataloguing community – and most importantly, our catalogue users. She will be missed.

 

Dale Cousens, NLNZ

I had the privilege of working with Renate at Education Services Australia. She was a consummate professional and a much-loved member of our team. Renate will be warmly remembered by all of us who had the pleasure of working alongside her across the school library community.

 

Sonja Brownridge On behalf of the Australian School Library Association

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Renate Beilharz, a true rockstar of the school library world.

For so many of us, Renate was far more than an SCIS cataloguer. She was a trusted source of advice, support and encouragement – the person you could turn to for all things school library. Her knowledge, generosity and willingness to help made an enormous difference to school library staff across Australia.

Always a smiling face at an ASLA conference or presenting a webinar, Renate had an incredible ability to make complex things feel manageable, and she always shared her expertise with warmth, patience and genuine care. She understood the importance of school libraries and the people who make them happen. She listened when we argued genrefication vs Dewey and provided a wealth of extra knowledge to guide our decisions.

For many of us, Renate was a colleague, mentor, sounding board and, most importantly, a friend.

Her contribution to school libraries will continue to be felt in countless collections, catalogues, libraries and in all the people she supported along the way.

Our deepest condolences to Renate’s family, friends and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.

Truly one of a kind who memorably enjoyed stepping out on the dance floor to ‘bust a few moves’ at the 2025 ALSA Conference.

 

ALIA (Australian Library and Information Association) statement

Renate Beilharz AALIA has been part of the library and information profession in Australia since she graduated as a teacher librarian from Melbourne College of Advanced Education in 1984. With a dedicated and down-to-earth approach to her work, Renate went on to become a highly respected educator at Box Hill Institute where she encouraged and supported her students every step of the way.

From 2018, Renate headed up the education team at the Schools Cataloguing Information Service (SCIS), where her wealth of professional knowledge benefited school libraries around the country.

As a professional member of the Australian Library and Information Association, Renate is remembered as a person of initiative and goodness who steered the sector in positive directions with warmth, humility, vision and intelligence. She was incredibly generous with her knowledge, and as a practitioner, a teacher and a sector leader.

Renate’s passion for bibliographic metadata has made a big difference in this country.

Her work really mattered. The conversations Renate started about resource description meant that students and teachers are better able to discover and access resources. School library collections are more visible, useful, respectful and meaningful because of Renate. Her commitment to reparative description, which replaces outdated terms with respectful language and prioritises the voices of marginalised groups, was especially impactful.

In 2025, Renate had the vision to found the Schools Cataloguing Community of Practice. This initiative serves as a point of contact for school library staff to ask questions and share cataloguing expertise in a safe and welcoming forum. This seed of connection and learning that Renate planted and tended has left an enduring legacy that continues to grow and thrive.

People in cataloguing communities in all kinds of libraries across Australia, not just school libraries, but academic, public, health and special libraries, have been inspired and lifted by Renate’s work. She will be greatly missed by her ALIA family.

Live fully

Love generously

And be all you can be

 

Anthony Shaw, SCIS product manager

It’s hard to know where to start when remembering Renate. Renate was a force of nature and the ultimate professional. Her expert knowledge and passion for all things school libraries and more specifically, cataloguing is unmatched. What she didn’t know about cataloguing probably isn’t worth knowing. Not that she ever allowed her unbelievably deep knowledge to be a thing to hold over those of us who didn’t have that level insight. She would welcome and respect all points of view, considering them on their merits, rather than that the level of experience of whom suggested them.

Being in a professional learning session with Renate was to see her in her natural environment. She owned the room and gave of herself generously. Renate would engage with everyone in the session and ensure that everyone was comfortable and made the most of the opportunity. She had this lovely way of teasing out questions and getting to the bottom of what someone was really wanting to know.

Renate was the driving force behind respectful cataloguing and this reflects her own views and how she lived her life. Renate always had a kind word to say about people and would strive to understand other people’s perspectives and point of view.

Renate would stand-up for what was right and just but not a showy-way or for personal gain.

I had the privilege of sharing the experience of walking the final section of the Walk for Truth with Renate, in 2025. We listened to the speakers and watched the Aboriginal dancers together, before we walked to the Victorian Parliament. It was such a wonderful experience to share with Renate. She understood the significance of truth telling and the importance of community.

When I think about Renate and the impact she had upon me, it’s the hug and the heartfelt kind words when my own Mum died. It is the lovely kind note she wrote my daughter after she helped out in the office. It is the absolute joy she got from her grandkids and being their Oma. It’s also those times when she laughed, uncontrollably. What started as a chuckle, then built and built, eventually taking over her entire body.

She was such a warm and caring friend and colleague while I feel empty to have had to say goodbye, I feel that I am better for having known Renate.

Renate and the SCIS team

Corinna Maloney, General Manager, Digital Services, ESA

A true force of nature, Renate made a powerful impression from our first encounter. Never afraid to speak her mind, advocate for others, or admit when she didn’t have the answer, Renate had a lovely balance of care, directness and genuine humility. On a personal note, I remember the big, beautiful hug she gave me as I returned to work after losing a parent - something I didn’t know I needed. I looked forward to our annual Christmas biscuit exchange and the energy she radiated each day. Her contributions to SCIS and her impact on ESA as an organisation and to people individually cannot be measured. Renate will be fondly remembered and deeply missed. Her legacy and memory will remain a part of our history, forever.

 

Daniel Czech, Marketing and Communications Advisor, Digital Services, ESA

Renate, you were such an incredible colleague, mentor and friend. Your positivity always lit up the room every time you were in it, and you had the rarest quality of being able to make everyone around you feel safe, heard and cared for. I’ll miss our chats, jokes, seeing your eyes light up with joy whenever questions came in during a webinar, and wearing funny outfits to conference dinners with you. You’ve left an indelible mark on me, and I’ll always keep you in my heart. Dan.

 

Azadeh Shamee, Cataloguing and Administration Officer, SCIS

Renate was so much more than a manager and colleague to me. From the very first moment I walked into ESA for my interview, I was touched by her warmth, kindness, and energy. She welcomed me with a beautiful smile and made me feel comfortable right away. I still remember the sparkle in her eyes, her warm smile, and her playful spirit; which always came through in her wonderful sense of humour and love of games and puzzles.

From the beginning, Renate took me under her wing. With incredible patience and generosity, she guided me through my training, sharing not only her deep knowledge and experience but also the rich legacy of SCIS. I always left our weekly meetings feeling inspired and excited to learn more. One of the things I loved about Renate was her curiosity—every question was an opportunity for her to explore, discover, and learn something new.

Renate brought so much light to the workplace. I will always remember her for her passion, knowledge, generosity, wonderful sense of humour, and, above all, the genuine care and compassion she showed to others. Whenever I was going through a difficult time, she would reach out with a kind and thoughtful message. Those small acts of kindness meant more to me than she probably ever knew.

I miss her deeply and will always be grateful for everything she taught me. The knowledge and skills she shared with me continue to be part of my work every day, and in that way, a little part of her continues to live on.

I would like to end with one of Renate’s own beautiful expressions:

“With love and a virtual hug!”