Inspiration from the YPLG meeting

Mackay Regional Council’s Lotte Sjoegren reflects on her recent visit to State Library for the Young Peoples Libraries Group (YPLG) meeting. 

Having the opportunity to attend the YPLG meeting through receiving the travel bursary was fantastic.

We flew down from Mackay early Thursday morning, giving us the opportunity to network with many other people working in similar libraries and communities to our own from all over Queensland.

The meeting was filled with ideas and inspiration to take home with us, as well as being able to share and ask questions relating to things that may or may not be going as hoped giving people new ideas or hope. One of the things that really stood out was when people shared their experiences about projects they are running at their libraries and what is working well for them.

The STEAMing clubs for (8-12 year olds) is something we are currently looking into starting in the near future, and to be able to hear what other people are doing and how, was really helpful; in particular the idea to include local teenagers with more ‘techie’ knowledge than ourselves as volunteers to help run the clubs, is brilliant.

This not only helps us but brings the young people in to the library, but gives them a sense of purpose too.

I am grateful for the opportunity given to me through this bursary, which may not have been otherwise possible. Networking and training are so vital in helping us to continually update our skills and provide an outstanding service to the community.

Not only was I able to attend the YPLG meeting, the trip also gave me the opportunity visit areas of the State Library including The Corner, The Reading Nook, onsite exhibitions and The Edge, as well as attending the First 5 Forever training held the following day.

About the author: Lotte Sjoegren works with Young People Services at Mackay Regional Council.