On 17–18 September 2026, the State Library of Western Australia became a vibrant meeting place for GLAMR professionals from across the state, the nation, and even beyond our borders. ALIAWest’s two‑day conference, The Value of Us, brought together librarians, archivists, museum professionals, library technicians, students, and community leaders to explore what binds us together — our shared purpose, our collective impact, and the strength of our diverse professional community.
ALIAWest was honoured to welcome Emily Wilson AALIA(DCP), Senior Librarian, Development & Connections at ALIA. Her support and participation highlighted the strong national connection behind ALIAWest and the shared commitment across ALIA groups to strengthening our GLAMR community.
Vendors and Exhibitors: Supporting Innovation and Connection
Exhibitors also played an important role in shaping the atmosphere of The Value of Us. Their presence in the Theatre Foyer created a lively hub where delegates could explore new products, tools, technologies, and services supporting the GLAMR sector. Conversations at their tables added practical insights, sparked ideas, and highlighted the innovative work happening across the industry. ALIAWest extends sincere thanks for their contribution and expertise!!!
From the moment delegates stepped into the Theatre Foyer each morning, the atmosphere was unmistakable: curious, collaborative, and full of anticipation. Over two days, the conference offered a rich tapestry of the keynote talk, split sessions, practical insights, cultural reflections, and stories of innovation from every corner of the GLAMR sector.
Day One: Truth‑telling, Care, and Community Strength
The conference opened with a thoughtful Welcome to Country from Fredia Ogilvie, followed by ALIAWest Convenor Nicola Carson’s introduction. Our keynote, Truth‑telling with Care by Trish Ryder, set a powerful tone. Her reflections on trauma‑informed practice and culturally safe storytelling reminded attendees how deeply GLAMR work is connected to people, memory, and responsibility. Throughout the morning, delegates heard from:
- Catherine Clark, sharing how the State Library’s collections inspire possibilities and strengthen communities.
- Jane Cowell, offering practical insights into AI in public libraries — a topic that continues to grow in relevance for all of us.
- Shrianjani De Alwis Jayasuriya, speaking about future‑proofing the LIS workforce in The Maldives and beyond.
- Vicki Edmunds, whose presentation on the Blue Mountains Library 2U project brought a regional story to life with warmth and clarity.
The afternoon split sessions were full of movement and conversation. Each conference space held its own energy — small discussions, shared experiences, and those big moments.
Day Two: Local History, Regional Strength, and Global Perspectives
Day Two began with Nicola Carson’s morning remarks and the Bi-Centennial project from Christine Harris (FamilyHistoryWA), who guided delegates through the stories of the people of Western Australia’s ghost towns. Her presentation was a reminder of how place, memory, and community shape our understanding of history. The morning continued with:
- Karen Dennison and Georgia‑Mae O’Brien, sharing how a South West library transformed into a connected regional service.
- Catherine Belcher, speaking about digitising at‑risk audiovisual collections — preserving WA’s sights and sounds for future generations.
The afternoon split sessions took delegates across contexts: military digital history, senior digital literacy, political advocacy, local and international history, and a global tour of GLAMR professional associations from Camille Peters.
The closing sessions brought together Wikimedia Australia, the Department of Education, and the final prize draw — a cheerful ending to two days of learning and connection.
The Volunteers: The Heartbeat of the Conference
One of the greatest threads running through The Value of Us was the contribution of volunteers — the people who quietly ensured that every session ran smoothly, every presenter felt supported, and every delegate found their way.
Over two days, volunteers assisted with greeting, registrations, timekeeping, wayfinding, catering support, exhibitor care, and the many unexpected tasks that arise during any large event.
Their contribution was invaluable. They embodied the spirit of the conference: generosity, collaboration, and shared purpose. A huge thank you to all volunteers!!!
Reflecting on “Us”
What made The Value of Us special was not just the program. It was the people — presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and every delegate who contributed to the conversations that filled the building.
Across both days, one message was clear: the value of us grows when the sector works together. Whether through truth‑telling, digital innovation, local history, advocacy, or community‑led practice, GLAMR thrives on collaboration and shared purpose.
The ideas and connections formed during these two days will continue shaping work across libraries, archives, museums, and every space where information and community meet.
Thank you and Congratulations!
The ALIA West Committee would like to thank Trish Ryder from the Carrolup Centre for Truth-Telling at the John Curtin Gallery. ALIA West has made a $1000 donation to their mission to honour the legacy of the Carrolup artists and foster understanding through truth-telling, tours and activities for all.
And we want to Congratulate Brooke Edmonds from The City of Canning Libraries. The Door Prize was access to the Respect and Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Cultures and Country in Australian Libraries course from ALIA. This is a Core Domain of the ALIA LIS Workforce Framework and is self paced over 6 months.
And we would like to thank the contingent from The Maldives, that not only took time out from their Study Tour to spend a day at the conference, but also had three presentations for us as well. We had a lovely evening out for dinner with them (and the restaurant robot!)
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