COVID has certainly provided the world with new opportunities to experience and engage with life, and 2020’s Study Visits were no different. By visiting four different agencies I was able to have some insight into very different libraries. The main thing I appreciated about the virtual visits was that they were recorded. Reflecting on the original plan, I would not have been able to pause or revisit any of the speaker’s presentations to fully appreciate what they offer. Obviously it was not the same as actually being there but this was a silver lining.
What I truly loved about the visits was being transported out of my own school library bubble, to experience a snapshot of others in the industry and in places where my students could potentially go to continue their learning journeys. Seeing like-minded information specialists speak with a passion and love for what they do, akin to my own. I could relate to some of what they spoke of and was inspired by the rest.
Massey University is so rich in Māori culture, that it isn’t just embedded it is the foundation of their vision, mission and practice. The culture is the leader of inclusivity of the staff and students, alike. William Angliss Institute fostered a wonderfully robust practical vision to support the VET programs, which I found so familiar in how we work in a high school library. The State Library of South Australia really spoke to the passion and innovation I strive to bring to my own practice. I may not be the best but I strive to live my passion, bring the skills I have to ’empower knowledge’ for all lifelong learners. University of Newcastle’s Makerspace inspired me to reinvent our own makerspace for all students, and staff, in all areas of learning.
What really spoke to me in all of these agencies was how they relied so much on collaboration. It seemed, to me, to be at the core of all that they provide for their institutes and beyond. The offerings of each of these information agencies can only be of such a calibre from working together with knowledge, collaboration, communication and creative thinking.