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Library stories

Library Stories shines a light on the people, programs and ideas shaping library services across Australia, celebrating innovation, community impact and the everyday creativity of the sector. Have a story you’d like to share?

Click the ‘Submit a story’ button above.

Head-and-shoulders portrait of a man in a dark suit, light blue shirt and tie, looking directly at the camera. He is photographed outdoors with trees and greenery softly blurred in the background.

James Conroy

In this edition of Library Stories, James Conroy reflects on an unconventional journey into librarianship and the leadership lessons that shaped it. Drawing on his experience leading digital transformation at the University of Wollongong and UNSW, James explores how trust, culture and human-centred design can unlock meaningful change, and why libraries remain critical knowledge infrastructure in an increasingly digital and AI-enabled world.

Jane Shelling smiling in a headshot portrait against a plain light background

Jane Shelling

In this Library Stories, we meet retired librarian Jane Shelling, whose career spanned hospital libraries, national information services and the Australian...

Woman smiling outdoors, wearing a black dress and standing on a walkway with blurred buildings in the background

Isobel Bevis

Originally published in INCITE Magazine Volume 46, Issue 1 In this edition of Library Stories we speak to someone whose work regularly takes them into public...

Woman with red glasses smiling and leaning against a beige wall, wearing a black dress with red floral print

Laurie Atkinson

Originally published in INCITE Magazine Volume 45, Issue 3 In this edition of Library Stories, we hear from Laurie Atkinson, Director, Law Library of Victoria...

Iurgi Urrutia

Iurgi Urrutia

Originally published in INCITE Magazine Volume 46, Issue 2 Iurgi Urrutia is a passionate advocate for comics, literacy, and community engagement in the LIS...

Headshot of Angela Berney overlayed on a pink and white stylised background of an open book on a table

Angela Berney

In this edition of Library Stories, we talked to Angela Berney, Team Leader for Woodcroft Library and Events and Programs at Onkaparinga Libraries. Angela is a deeply engaged ALIA Member and library professional whose leadership in initiatives such as the Citizen Science Corner and Community Cohesion Program has had a lasting impact on both her community and colleagues.

Melissa Whitrow holding three books, standing in front of a library shelf

Melissa Whitrow

In this ‘Library Stories’ we speak with Melissa Whitrow from the Barossa Council Public Library. Like many of the people we’ve talked to in this feature, Melissa entered the LIS sector equipped with a strong set of skills honed in a previous career – in her case as an academic in public health research.