I was delighted to receive QPLA’s bursary to attend this conference as an early career professional. My goals were to gain a perspective of programming across Queensland and to network with Library and Information Service (LIS) professionals. There were multiple highlights from the conference but here are the stand outs after I’ve been able to reconnect and reflect with staff at Toowoomba City Library.
- Good customer service provides a high level of inclusion for a wide range of Library patrons this was a thread throughout talks with Ryan Dowd, Spinal Life Australia, Sami Shah, and Jahan Kalantar
- Collections and Local History are entering an era of figuring out reconciliation, decolonisation, and reclamation alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples this was a thread through the talks with Uncle Mick, Dr. Kristian Thorpe, and Terri Janke
- There are so many amazing programs out there! All built on the same ethos of community building and social inclusion which was exampled through all programs/talks from Libraries such as Bundaberg, Cassowary Coast, Banana Shire and Mackay.
- Social inclusion is clearly embodied practice for all LIS professionals in Queensland as there were so many people willing to say hello and take the time to chat