Face to Face Again

Almost two weeks since SWITCH 2022 in Albury, the NSW Public Libraries Association Conference. Its two years since we were last together, face to face in Penrith in 2019 (when we were blissfully unaware that the dreaded COVID was heading our way). For obvious reasons the 2020 Conference was cancelled and in 2021 the Association pivoted and SWITCH was offered online. But nothing beats the buzz of being together and the Tuesday night ‘Welcome Function’ was full of the usual sense of joy as everyone caught up. The noise levels were quite high!

The focus of the 2022 program was on literacy and reading. I was determined to attend, not only as this is a key passion of mine, but because the program was originally mapped out around my dining room table in Orange before COVID and my move south. The concepts of the planning team that gathered together had stood the test of time and COVID had added a new dimension to the importance of reading in our lives.

NSW is the only State to have an annual conference and it is usual to have guests from across the country. Given my new affiliations I was delighted that three members of the Libraries Tasmania team were able to attend and even more pleased that Anita Planchon, Director of Strategy and Engagement at Libraries Tasmania spoke about the Reading and Literacy Framework here in lutrawita/Tasmania.

A SWITCH Conference is also renowned for its camaraderie and social events and 2022 was no exception. It was particularly poignant as it was also time to recognise the many colleagues who have retired over the past 3 years and who have contributed so much to our profession. As one of these I was humbled by the kindness and warm wishes. How wonderful then to see new and enthusiastic professionals coming through to take up the baton.

It is also the time to congratulate those conferred with Life Membership, Cr Dallas Tout (Wagga Wagga) and Cr Les Lambert (Narromine). Both Dallas and Les have held executive positions with the Association for many years and have given tirelessly of their time and energy. Bravo.

SWITCH 2023 will be back in Sydney (Penrith) in November. Keep your eye out for details.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about the photo at the top its of 3 retiring library Managers, Chris Jones, Robert Knight and moi – nothing ‘retiring’ about any of us really!