In April 2026, I had the joy of travelling from Western Australia to New South Wales—a journey that became a tapestry of libraries, landscapes, the kind of professional warmth, and the collegiality that defines our national ALIA community. As a current member of the ALIAWest Committee, I always value opportunities to learn from colleagues across Australia, and this trip offered exactly that. What I found along the way was something even richer: connection, inspiration, and a renewed sense of belonging to a library community that reminds me why I love our sector so much.
📸 Sydney: Where History and Modernity Meet
My first stop was the State Library of New South Wales, and it felt like stepping into two eras at once. The new building is bright, open, and full of movement—people studying, meeting, exploring.
Then you turn a corner and enter the historic Mitchel Reading Room, where time seems to slow down. The quiet grandeur of the space made me pause. It’s one of those rooms that reminds you why libraries matter: they hold stories, but they also hold people.
📸 Katoomba: A Beautiful Library, Warm Conversations and an Incredible Mountain View
One of the highlights of my trip was heading up to the Blue Mountains to meet Vicki Edmunds, Convenor of the ALIA NSW Group. Meeting a fellow ALIA leader in her own community felt special—collegial, warm, and full of shared purpose.
We met at the Katoomba Library, part of the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre. It is a space that blends design, community, and landscape in a way that feels almost poetic, with natural light and comfortable spaces throughout. More information can be found here Blue Mountains Cultural Centre and Katoomba Library.
Vicki Edmunds and me in the Katoomba Library, NSW
And of course, the Blue Mountains themselves…
📸 Blue Mountains outlooks are amazing!!!
Standing there, looking out over the ridges and valleys, I felt the same sense of possibility that libraries give us: wide horizons, fresh air of knowledge, and room to imagine.
Regional NSW: Libraries with Heart
Travelling further into regional NSW, I visited several libraries that left a strong impression.
📸 Bathurst Regional Library
A vibrant, community‑centred library with a strong local identity. https://library.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/Home
📸 Young Library, NSW
A very modern library—light, open, and clearly designed with its community in mind. https://www.nsw.gov.au/visiting-and-exploring-nsw/locations-and-attractions/young-library
📸 Green Square Library
One of Sydney’s most innovative public libraries, with its striking underground design and dynamic public spaces. https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/libraries/green-square-library
Each library had its own personality—formed by its community, cared for by its staff, and strengthened by the steady support of local and state government.
Returning Home with a Full Heart
What stayed with me most from this trip was not just the buildings—though they were beautiful—or the landscapes—though they were unforgettable. It was the people.
Meeting Vicki in Katoomba reminded me how strong and generous our ALIA community is. Whether in Perth, Sydney, Bathurst, Young, or the Blue Mountains, we are all working toward the same thing: creating spaces where people feel welcome, supported, and inspired.
I returned to WA with new ideas, new connections, and a deep appreciation for the work happening across our country.
Lena Smirnova
ALIAWest Committee Member
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