Sep 14IDAHOBIT 2023 at the Library: You are Welcome here“If you make places safer for people who don’t feel safe, you make it safe for everyone.” — After 4 years of successfully holding an inclusive rainbow themed IDAHOBIT Day across my group of libraries that included a Drag Queen storytime event each year we thought we were prepared for our 2023 program. As a wave of violent protesters shut down drag queen storytime events across Victoria however…Lgbtqia Community4 min readLgbtqia Community4 min read
May 9Tell Your Library Story with the Public Library ManifestoIn today’s world, public libraries play an essential role in providing access to information, promoting literacy and education, and supporting community development. Libraries have always been a hub of knowledge, but their role has expanded and evolved over the years. …Libraries3 min readLibraries3 min read
Apr 14Gratitude: an essential Leadership skill for Library LeadersAfter the two years of trying to beat Covid my library managers and teams were telling me they were exhausted. Constant anxiety can do that to you. I was searching for ways to build team resilience to address these increased anxiety levels when I stumbled on an article regarding the…Leadership3 min readLeadership3 min read
Mar 185 reasons why Library Professionals need to start a blog journeyI had 3 reasons for starting my blogging journey. One was to develop my writing style. Being in government roles my whole working life my writing style is very formal and bureaucratic. Still is but I am learning, through blogging, to find and try different writing styles. I also wanted…Blogging5 min readBlogging5 min read
Jan 6Are Libraries Getting the Business Basics Wrong?At the end of 2022 I was struck by the question posed by Gabrielle Dolan business storyteller in her final blog post of the year. ‘Are we getting the basics right or wrong?’ It got me thinking about libraries and how often we can get the basics wrong due to…Libraries3 min readLibraries3 min read
Dec 30, 2022Community Storytelling in LibrariesFacts Inform us but stories influence us — Library staff hear amazing stories from the people that visit our libraries every day. Stories about their lives, stories about how being in the library changes their lives, and stories about the opportunities open to them because of the library’s support for them. …Libraries3 min readLibraries3 min read
Dec 30, 2022Top 5 Ways You Can Support Your Local LibraryPublic libraries have come a long way and could surprise you if it has been awhile since your last visit. You can learn, socialize, volunteer, and seek a new hobby through various collections, resources, and programs. Stop by your local library to discover the new and exciting things they offer. …Libraries3 min readLibraries3 min read
Nov 3, 2022Connection: Libraries after COVID-19Our communities are constantly changing, and their needs from our library services are ever evolving — especially after the pandemic. To rebuild the library connection to our communities it is essential to listen to and understand what our communities need and expect from their library. Connection is critical: People are…Libraries4 min readLibraries4 min read
Nov 3, 2022Local Youth Takeover @ Ivanhoe Library & Cultural HubAll three of the Councils that Yarra Plenty Regional Library (YPRL) serve have identified mental health as the top issue young people are currently experiencing in the northern regions of Melbourne, Victoria. The top five most critical causes are anxiety, school stress, exclusion, loneliness, and general wellbeing. In mid-2021, YPRL…Libraries3 min readLibraries3 min read
Nov 3, 2022From Storytime to Baby Café at Thomastown LibraryAt Yarra Plenty Regional Library (YPRL), supporting early years literacy development is a key part of our Library Plan. We are always striving to improve early years literacy outcomes for our communities. …Early Literacy3 min readEarly Literacy3 min read
