2023 is coming to a close and I would like to take a moment to thank all ALIA Group members for their contribution to the Association this year. The networking, social, and CPD events hosted by our ALIA Groups ensured there were myriad opportunities for connections, collaboration, community, and celebration for ALIA members throughout the year.
2024 is shaping up to be another great year – with Groups planning quiz nights, awards, road-trips, GLAM tours, workshops, post-conference recaps, birthday celebrations, picnics and more! Keep an eye on the ALIA events listings, these REM updates and your Regional Group’s social media for details.
One of my first Regional Engagement activities for 2024 is helping run the ALIA stall at Fair Day. This is the kick-off event for the official Mardi Gras season in Sydney, and over 70,000 people will take over Sydney's Victoria Park on Sunday 18 February for this rampant rainbow extravaganza for Sydney's wider LGBTQIA+ communities and their friends and family.
From the ALIA Fair Day stall, we will be letting the public know that libraries welcome everyone and for many queer people, libraries are critically important safe spaces. Creating access to collections that reflect a diversity of experiences and points of view and fighting censorship is our mission. We will also be selling fabulous Library Love t-shirts.
If you're Sydney based and interested in visiting us at Fair Day, or have library programs, services, spaces or collections you'd like us to promote for your library or ALIA Group then please complete this form.
Season's greetings and a happy new year to all!
Emily Wilson
Regional Engagement Manager