Anna Kinney
QPLA Cheryl Haughton Scholarship Recipient 2023
Anna has held a range of roles in Moreton Bay Libraries since moving to Australia from the US in 2005. Recent projects have included dementia friendly libraries, collection management system support for Galleries and Museums, and research related to sustainable practices in libraries. She is an avid reader and rarely without an audiobook on the go.
Caitlyn Anchen
QPLA’s ALIA Mentoring Program Recipient 2024 – Mentee
Caitlyn started her library career as a business trainee in the rural town of Hughenden with the Flinders Shire Public Library before moving to Townsville to work casually with CityLibraries Townsville. Caitlyn’s passion for libraries grew as she started to backfill different positions within Citylibraries. After having her first child, Caitlyn completed a Diploma in Library and Information services which assisted in her appointment to the Learning and Information team where she thrives in program delivery. Caitlyn is now undertaking a Bachelor of Library and Information Studies, specialising in children’s librarianship, having found a passion for working with children.
Robyn Gattera
QPLA’s ALIA Mentoring Program Recipient 2024 – Mentor
With more than 30 years’ experience in public library service delivery and leadership, Robyn has a passion for community and building capability in others. She was born and raised in Mamu Country (on the Cassowary Coast). She now lives in Meanjin working with the Brisbane community in delivering early literacy experiences for families through the First 5 Forever program. In her current role as the Coordinator First 5 Forever, she leads the delivery of early literacy development for Brisbane families in Australia’s largest public library network. In Robyn’s work with community, she has forged deep and lasting relationships with key stakeholders and uses these skills to build capacity in others across our profession. In her “spare” time, she is the mum of two teenagers and the daughter of an Italian immigrant.
Georgia Moore
Managing Director of Culture Counts, an economist with over 20 years of consulting and analytics experience.
Culture Counts is a unique evaluation software platform, supporting organisations to capture, analyse and report their impact. As one of the founders of Culture Counts, Georgia has helped hundreds of cultural, community and government organisations to measure and demonstrate their value. Living and working across Australia has contributed to her extensive knowledge base and ability to solve complex problems using innovative economic modelling and evaluation techniques.
Caitlin Single
Business Development Planning Officer, Townsville Citylibraries
Caitlin Single is a seasoned library professional with over 20 years of experience working in the public library sector. Dedicated to using data-driven insights to enhance library services and operations, they have played a pivotal role in Townsville Citylibraries strategic planning and decision-making processes.
In their current role, Caitlin leads initiatives to harness evidence-based practices, enabling libraries to better meet the evolving needs of their communities. They have expertise in running impactful surveys, measuring library service outcomes, and streamlining processes to support staff and patrons alike.
PRESENTATION ABSTRACT: Recently, Caitlin partnered with Culture Counts to conduct Townsville Citylibraries second Library Use and Outcomes Survey, as part of the Public Libraries Evaluation Network. This innovative survey goes beyond traditional metrics, focusing on measuring the tangible outcomes libraries have on their communities.
Caitlin will join Georgia from Culture Counts to share insights and results from the survey. Together, they will discuss the impact of this data-driven approach on understanding and enhancing library services, and how it helps demonstrate the critical role libraries play in community development.
Giang Pham
National Library of Australia – Project Manager – National Resource Sharing
Giang is the Project Manager for the Trove Partner Resource Sharing project at the National Library of Australia. With experience in management accounting, project assurance, and portfolio management, Giang has extended her skills through previous roles at the Australian National University, the Australian Financial Security Authority, and Magentus Group.
Beyond project management, Giang has a passion for developing forecasting and data models. She excels at integrating technical expertise with strategic planning to deliver impactful outcomes.
Deanna Cronk
National Library of Australia – Project Owner – National Resource Sharing
With two decades of exemplary service at the National Library, Deanna Cronk has consistently demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the library sciences and administration. Beginning her career in collection retrieval and delivery, Deanna ensured the accessibility and preservation of key resources
In 2021, Deanna transitioned to Trove Data and Platforms, where she now contributes significantly to the Trove ecosystem. In her most recent role, Deanna has taken on the responsibilities of Product Owner for Trove Partner Resource Sharing. Utilising her extensive prior knowledge and experience, she had been instrumental in enhancing the library’s resource-sharing capabilities and gathering requirements for the new service from the Trove community.
ABSTRACT Trove Partners Resource Sharing a new era
From mid-2025, Trove Partners will be able to access a new national resource sharing service with all the current core functions and a host of significant improvements. The new service will make it easier for Trove Partner organisations to provide loan and document copying services to their patrons through streamlined workflows, improved efficiencies, and a service developed for Trove Partners tailored to the Australian environment. The new Trove Partners Resource Sharing will integrate with the Australian National Bibliographic Database, providing a single discovery experience.
Join Project Manager, Giang Pham to hear about how Trove Partners Resource Sharing facilitates access to core services and provides a range of new features including a reciprocal service model and automated load balancing. The session will also include a discussion on what to expect as Trove works with Partners to implement the new service.
Louise Denoon
Executive Director, Community Partnerships | State Library of Queensland
Community Partnerships portfolio is responsible for building enduring, collaborative partnerships across the State. In partnership with local government, the portfolio strives to provide all Queenslanders with access to a dynamic library service that supports communities to meet the challenges of the future. It positions State Library, public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres as central to communities’ digital access, support and skills development and as champions of children through First 5 Forever and onsite programs.
Cathie Warburton
CEO ALIA
Cathie Warburton has been the CEO of ALIA since June 2022 and is based in Canberra. Cathie has qualifications in arts, law and education, is a qualified company director and brings experience in the areas of legal, policy, governance, strategy and partnerships. Cathie has previously worked in state and federal government agencies and the higher education sector.
Lightning Talk Presenters
TRACEY SWANN – rEDLAND
Tracey Swann is the Senior Advisor Strategy and Planning for Redland City Council Libraries. Tracey has been a librarian for over 30 years and has worked across multiple sectors with the last 15 years in public libraries at Redland City Council.
LISA KEOGH – REDLAND
Lisa Keogh is the Community Programs & Partnerships Team Leader with Redland City Council Libraries. Lisa is an experienced library leader and an accredited Colour Spectrum Trainer. With over 20 years’ experience in public libraries, Lisa is a dynamic and people-focused leader dedicated to fostering inclusive, innovative and community-driven library services. A strong advocate for team development, Lisa is passionate about lifelong learning and professional development.
CHERYL PYE – IPSWICH
Cheryl Pye commenced her library career in 1985 at the Gatton Agricultural College Library before making the switch to public libraries in 1986 where she has worked ever since in a variety of roles across SE Queensland. She currently works as the Business Support and Library Content Manager, which encompasses facilities management, workforce management, collections, and Library Programs at Ipswich Libraries. She has a keen interest in ensuring that Library buildings are beautiful, functional, welcoming, and safe for customers and staff alike.
GAIL SEENEY – Ipswich
Gail Seeney is currently the Library Branch Services Manager at Ipswich Libraries and was a QPLA board member (Treasurer) in 2019-2021. Gail started in Brisbane Libraries in 1980, probably before many of you were born and long before Library Management Systems and PCs.
Gail worked at Moreton Bay Regional Council for 32 years and has been at Ipswich Libraries for 6 years. Gail is committed to the Employee Experience at Ipswich Libraries and actively promotes and supports library staff to be equipped to deliver a positive customer experience to the community in a workplace that prioritises safety and wellbeing.
MEAGHAN BROWN – REDLAND
Meaghan is an experienced librarian and information professional working at Redland City
Council for 13 years. Meaghan is currently leading the team at Capalaba Library, where she
has been the branch librarian for 7 years. She led the change management process
navigating team dynamics, internal work streams and conflicts as well as external demands
in successfully relocating a library and customer service center.
NARELLE JACKSON – MORETON BAY
Narelle has worked in libraries for almost 40 years, outside of libraries Narelle has lived experience, supporting family members with disabilities and draws on this knowledge to grow and enrich many library programs.
KATHLEEN DAVISON – MORETON BAY
Kath has worked in libraries for 18 years and since her daughter was diagnosed with autism
at 4 she has had a keen interest in the needs of the community especially engaging people
with a disability.
delveen icardi – mackay
As a Community Outreach Library Assistant with the Mackay Regional Council Libraries,
I’m thrilled to nurture a vibrant community of engaged users and supporters for our
libraries! Over the past twenty-plus years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible impact
we have in our region. By offering diverse programs, events, and resources, we’re igniting
creativity, enhancing literacy, and fostering lifelong learning among our residents through
our outreach efforts and dynamic program delivery. Let’s keep building this amazing
community together!
sheridan edgar – western downs
Sheridan is the Library Operations Supervisor at Western Downs Libraries, with a Master of Information Studies and 10 years of experience in public libraries. In her role, she focuses on collections and operations, and values the way libraries serve as a “third place” in the community, offering a space for connection, learning, and engagement.
leesa hodgson – western downs
Leesa is the Library Delivery Supervisor at Western Downs Libraries, managing operations and service delivery for five library branches and a QGAP. Passionate about providing high-quality, innovative services, she is dedicated to fostering inclusive and engaging library spaces. Leesa is committed to continuous improvement, using creative solutions to enhance the library experience for all.
jacinta ward – western downs
With a love for creativity and lifelong learning, Jacinta is the Programs and Marketing Officer for Western Downs Libraries. She believes libraries are more than books, and are at the hearts of the communities they serve. Jacinta oversees programming, events, and marketing for the nine library branches, delivering inclusive and innovative projects across the region.
MIKKI rhoades – cairns
Mikki Rhoades works as the Community Engagement Librarian for Cairns Libraries. Following a career in community services and education, Mikki transitioned to Public Libraries six weeks prior to the first COVID 19 lockdown. Since then she has thoroughly enjoyed the rewards and challenges of public library programming for a dynamic regional community.