Links to presentations/recordings may be made available in the program after the Conference if approved by speakers.
PRINTABLE PROGRAM – Coming soon!
PRE-CONFERENCE – TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER 1.00PM – 4.00PM
Registration Desk Open 12.30pm-2.30pm – Hotel Grand Chancellor
GOLD SPONSOR: Varley Group – Mobile Library Facility Tour
Gold Sponsors Varley Group will be hosting an exclusive tour of their Mobile Library construction facility in Narangba. This is a rare behind‑the‑scenes look at how these specialised vehicles are designed and built.
The bus will depart from Hotel Grand Chancellor at 1pm and return by 4pm.
Book your spot when you register for the Conference.
Essential: closed in shoes must be worn
Seats are limited — secure your spot early
Day 1 – Wednesday 14 OCTOBER 8.15am – 7.00pm
| Time | Session |
| 8.15AM for 8.30AM start-9.00AM | QPLA AGM Room: Chancellor 1 & 6 |
| 8.30AM – 9.30AM | Registration Desk open – Coffee and Tea |
| 9.15AM – 9.30AM | Official Opening – Hotel Grand Chancellor Ballroom Welcome to Country Welcome to the Conference –QPLA President |
| 9.30AM – 10.30AM | KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Scott Millar |
| 10.30AM – 10.50AM | MORNING TEA |
| 10.50AM – 11.20AM | GOLD SPONSOR – Presentation | Varley Group |
| 11.20AM – 12.20PM | SPEAKER | Kevin Hennah |
| 12.20PM – 12.30PM | LIGHTING TALK | Libraries as Community Connectors: Parent survey insights on making libraries more welcoming for all families | Kylie Aekins, Marie Vlahakis |
| 12.30PM – 1.00PM | LUNCH |
| 1.00PM – 1.15PM | LIGHTNING TALK | Activating Heritage Spaces Through Community Storytelling | Kristianne Bucknall, Redland Libraries |
| 1.15PM – 2.15PM | KEYNOTE | Dr Tessa Bailey It’s Not “Just Part of the Job”: Managing Psychosocial Risk in Today’s Libraries |
| 2.15PM – 2.45PM | SPEAKER | Brimarco |
| 2.45PM – 3.00PM | AFTERNOON TEA |
| 3.00PM – 4.15PM | WORKSHOP | Mobile & Outreach |
| 4.15PM – 5.00PM | LIGHTNING TALK | 1. Age-Friendly Community Development Program: Designing Interactive Programs for Older Adults | Tracey Swann, Redland Libraries 2. Virtual Reality (VR) headsets and career exploration software at the library for job seekers | Michelle Lopez, Meaghan Brown, Redland Libraries 3.Firm, Fair, and Human‑Centered: Managing Unreasonable Teen Behaviours in Council Library Spaces | Kym Brinkley, Ipswich Libraries |
| 5.00PM – 7.00PM | Welcome Reception and Trade Exhibition Launch –Sponsored by Solus Hotel Grand Chancellor Grand Ballroom & Terrace Bar – Level 1 Meet the vendors, browse and purchase local gifts from a range of artisans, network with other professionals, along with some exciting announcements. Sponsor Presentation by Welcome Reception Sponsor – Solus Sponsor Presentation Principal Sponsor – Local Buy Launch Trade Passport |
Day 2 – Thursday 15 OCTOBER 8.30am – 5.00pm
| Time | Session |
| 8.30AM – 9.00AM | Registration Desk open – Coffee and Tea |
| 8.45AM – 9.00AM | DAY ONE Overview | QPLA President |
| 9.00AM-10.00AM | KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Minding Your Mind: Practical strategies for mental clarity, resilience and performance – James O’Loghlin |
| 10.00AM – 10.30AM | MORNING TEA AND TRADE EXHIBITION Kindly sponsored by Ulverscroft |
| 10.30AM-10.35AM | Sponsor Announcement – Morning Tea Sponsor – Ulverscroft |
| 10.35AM – 10.50AM | LIGHTNING TALK | Redbank Plaza Library Refurbishment | Jo Jones, Ipswich Libraries |
| 10.50AM -11.30AM | SPEAKER | CSU CoDesign Toolkit for Public Libraries | Jane Garner |
| 11.30AM – 12.25PM | SPEAKER | QPLA/SLQ Library Leaders | Kaley Schelks and Library Leaders TBC |
| 12.25PM -12:30PM | Sponsor Announcement – Lunch Sponsor – James Bennett |
| 12.30PM – 1.30PM | LUNCH AND TRADE EXHIBITION Kindly sponsored by James Bennett |
| 1.30PM – 2.30PM | SPEAKER | Empowering regional girls through libraries as trusted community hubs, building STEM identity, future workforce capability, digital confidence, and local community connection – Sarah Chapman |
| 2.30PM – 3.00PM | QPLA Cheryl Haughton Scholarship 2025 Report From Risk to Resilience – a trauma informed framework for sustainable library services – Alicia Thiang |
| 3.00PM – 3.10PM | SPEAKER | Bringing Open Access content home to Public Libraries – Holly Taylor, Sirsi Dynix |
| 3.10PM – 3.40PM | AFTERNOON TEA |
| 3.50PM – 4.55PM | WORKSHOP | State Library of Queensland |
| 4.55PM – 5.00PM | Wrap Up and Key Messages – QPLA President, Colleen Bentzen |
| 6.30PM – 11.00PM | Conference Dinner Function – Hotel Grand Chancellor Ballroom, Ground Level Join us in the Courtyard for pre-dinner drinks, followed by the Gala Dinner in the Hotel Grand Chancellor Ballroom! Presentation of Awards QPLA LG Award 2026 QPLA Multicultural Excellence Award 2026 QPLA Innovation in Heritage Services Award 2026 Cheryl Haughton Scholarship 2026-27 Recipient Dinner event and Entertainment kindly sponsored by BFX Furniture |
Day 3 – Friday 16 OCTOBER | 9.00am – 3.30pm
| Time | Session |
| 8.30AM – 9.00AM | Registration Desk open – Coffee and Tea |
| 8.45AM – 9.00AM | DAY TWO Overview | QPLA President |
| 9.00AM – 10.00AM | PRESENTATION | Workplace Aggression in Libraries: Prevalence, Experience, and Organisational Implications | Associate Professor Jane Garner PANEL DISCUSSION | Nicole Hunt, Jane Garner, Darren Smith, Alicia Thiang |
| 10.00AM – 10.30AM | PRESENTATION | What’s next for Trove Partner services and engaging the Trove Community | Nikki Darby and Jenny Ostini, National Library of Australia |
| 10.30AM – 11.00AM | MORNING TEA AND TRADE EXHIBIT |
| 11.00AM – 12.00PM | SPEAKER | Stay Smart Online: how to help older Australians spot misinformation and find facts | Saffron Howden |
| 12.00PM – 12.30PM | LIGHTNING TALK (2 X 15 MINS) 1. Built With Purpose: Community Led Design of a Cultural Centre | Cecil Barnard, Western Downs Regional Council 2. Giving Libraries a Second Life: Sustainable Refurbishment | Brynn Livingstone, Cairns Libraries |
| 12.30pm – 1.30pm | LUNCH AND TRADE EXHIBIT |
| 1.30pm – 2.00pm | SPEAKER | ALIA CEO + President Update – Cathie Warburton, Lisa Bateman |
| 2.00PM – 2.30PM | LIGHTNING TALK | (2 X 15 MINS) 1. Thriving through change: How the Toowoomba City Library team positively embraced a staffing restructure | Melita Oehlman, Toowoomba Libraries 2. QPLA/ALIA Mentoring Program 2025 Report | Jemima Desbrow, Logan Libraries, Sandra Donovan and Aimee Torrent, City of Moreton Bay |
| 2.30PM – 3.30PM | KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Luke Bateman |
| 3.30PM | Conference Close – QPLA President, Colleen Bentzen |