Lightning Talk Presenters
Kylie Aekins & Marie Vlahakis – Plumtree Children’s Services
Kylie Aekins and Marie Vlahakis, Libraries as Community Connector team members and trained Parent Peer Workers, Plumtree Children’s Services.
Kylie and Marie are parents with lived experience in raising children with a disability. They have been part of the Libraries as Community Connectors project since inception and seen the changes in libraries first hand. They have presented at conferences both interstate and internationally.
KRISTIANNE BUCKNALL – REDLAND
Kristianne Bucknall is the Local History Adviser for Redland City Council Libraries. She brings a cross-disciplinary background in history, storytelling, and design, with previous experience delivering marketing, events, and podcast production for Australian authors. Her work focuses on applying local history collections, oral histories, and community knowledge to contemporary library programs and heritage projects. Kristianne has also undertaken independent research exploring women’s wartime agency through textile art. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International History and English.
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.
michelle lopez – REDLAND
Michelle Lopez is an Assistant Branch Librarian with Redland City Council Libraries, based at Capalaba Library. She works across library operations, projects and service improvement and has led the VR headset project for the library team.
MEAGHAN BROWN – REDLAND
Meaghan Brown is an experienced librarian and information professional working at Redland City Council for 15 years and is currently the Branch Librarian at Capalaba Library, where Meaghan and Michelle have worked together as team leaders for 8 years.
kym brinkley – ipswich
Kym Brinkley is the Acting Library Branch Services Coordinator for the Springfield Central, Redbank Plains, and Redbank Plaza Libraries with Ipswich Libraries. With more than 13 years’ experience across local government and educational libraries, Kym leads with compassion, clarity, and courage. Her work centers on strengthening staff capability, fostering psychologically safe teams, and building confident, values led workplace cultures in complex frontline environments. Her leadership approach empowers staff to respond consistently, support one another through challenge, and deliver welcoming, inclusive library services. Kym brings extensive, hands on experience in responding to unreasonable customer behaviours and complex teen engagement in busy, community focused library settings.
jo jones – ipswich
Jo Jones is currently the Business Support and Library Content Manager at Ipswich Libraries, which encompasses collections, programs, facilities and business support.
Jo is an experienced local government leader, with experience across a range of community and customer services both in Queensland and in the UK. Jo was previously Library Services Manager at Redland Libraries and more recently managed the library service as Manager of Customer, Community and Cultural Services at Scenic Rim Regional Council. Jo is passionate about creating strong and cohesive teams, welcoming and safe library spaces and positive experiences for library customers.
holly taylor – sirsidynix
As a former school and public librarian, Holly has spent the last 6 years immersed in the world of Open Access content. Completing the Creative Commons Certificate for Librarians in 2023, Holly deepened her understanding of Open Access licensing and its relevance in the Public Library space.
cecil barnard – western downs
Cecil Barnard is the fearless bow-tied leader of the Communities Department at Western Downs Regional Council, with responsibility of Arts, Culture, Placemaking, Community Events and Partnerships, Major Community Facing projects, and of course, Libraries.
He has played a key role the planning and community consultation for the Dalby Cultural Centre, working at the intersection of engagement, planning, and decision-making. Cecil Brings extensive experience in large-scale community consultation, cultural infrastructure, and shaping future community spaces in regional contexts.
brynn livingstone – cairns
Brynn Livingstone is the Coordinator Library Services for Cairns Regional Council, bringing more than 20 years of strategic leadership across service innovation, organisational change, and community‑focused transformation. She has led major planning, engagement, and operational initiatives across diverse sectors, with expertise spanning marketing, stakeholder partnerships, and organisational development. Brynn’s current leadership centres on capability development, operational sustainability, workforce planning, organisational culture, and planning for the future of libraries. She also brings extensive experience supporting at‑risk youth through community programs and transition services, strengthening her commitment to inclusive, socially responsive public services.
melita oehlman – toowoomba
Melita Oehlman has worked in libraries for 17 years and is currently Coordinator Toowoomba City Library. Throughout her library career, Melita has worked in many aspects of public libraries, including programming, circulation, collections and leadership. Melita currently leads an incredible team of 24 staff at Toowoomba City Library.
jemima desbrow- city of gold coast
Jemima Desbrow is a curious and capable Library Assistant, employed within City of Gold Coast.
Although she is early in her career, Jemima draws on her academic background for her ALIA Mentoring Scheme Project.
Jemima’s History Honours Thesis, ‘A Most Picturesque Foxglove: Pruning the Hagiography of Beatrix Potter’, explores children’s literature and the Victorian fascination with morbidity.
Obsessed with all things gothic and historical, Jemima’s project focalises on Local Studies and Cemeteries…
SANDRA DONOVAN – city of MORETON BAY
Sandra Donovan has worked in public libraries for nearly 30 years and is passionate about creating welcoming, inclusive spaces that strengthen community connections. She believes libraries change lives through learning, connection and a sense of belonging.
Outside of work Sandra enjoys gardening & caravanning in the great outdoors with her partner and their 6 young adult children.
AIMEE Torrent – city of MORETON BAY
Aimee is a Senior Library Officer for the City of Moreton Bay Libraries. She has a passion for team development, mentoring, and creating supportive workplace environments. She believes that strong teams are built through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and empowering others to reach their potential.
Outside of work, Aimee loves travelling, carrot cake, & pajamas.