This document summarizes a correspondence between Kathryn Allman from Charles Sturt University Library in Australia and Deirdre Downs from DC Public Library in the United States. Kathryn works as a Senior Client Services Librarian at Charles Sturt University, which has six campuses across regional New South Wales, Australia. Deirdre works as a Children's Librarian at DC Public Library, which has 26 branches across Washington D.C. that serve over one million patrons annually. Through their correspondence as part of the International Librarian Networking Program, they discussed their roles and libraries, challenges of the pandemic, similarities between their institutions, and what they enjoy about their work in librarianship.

1. Conversations in the International Librarian
Networking Program 2021: Australia and USA
Kathryn Allman, Charles Sturt University Library
Deirdre Downs, DC Public Library
Kathryn Allman
Charles Sturt University Library
Email: allmankr@gmail.com
Contact
DC Public Library has 26 branches across
Washington D.C. neighborhoods. The Library
services over a million patrons of all ages and
abilities throughout a year. There are over 200 staff
employed across the branches. According to their
most recent Strategic Plan, DC Public Library is
committed to advancing and improving reading,
digital citizenship, strong communities, and local
history and culture. Public programs, services and
facilities are focused on cultivating these concepts.
Deirdre is a Children’s Librarian. In this role she
facilitates access to books and information at her
branch, develops programs for a wide range of
young Library visitors and nurtures community
partnerships to create engaging activities for kids in
the area.
DC Public Library
Program Format
There are about 43,000 students enrolled at Charles
Sturt University, with a majority of those studying
online. Charles Sturt University Library operates
across six campuses in regional NSW. Currently,
there are about 65 Library staff across these six
locations divided into the following
sections: Frontline Services, Client Services,
Collection Services, Charles Sturt University
Archives and Library Management.
Kathryn is a Senior Client Services Librarian and
works in a team that provides research and
curriculum support, including an ‘embedded
Librarian program’, and a wide range of learning
and teaching services, training programs, and other
resources for students and staff. We focus on
assisting with skills development in research,
information literacy, digital literacy and general
library skills. Client Services Librarians works with
teaching staff, researchers and students in the
university’s 3 faculties.
Charles Sturt University
Library
Our conversation revealed more similarities than I
thought. We were both dealing with returning to
the regular office after a year or so of working from
home during the initial height of the pandemic. We
identified a shared feeling of having to adapt
quickly to evolving timelines and procedures. It was
something that may have caused us to write to each
other less than we would have liked. Both of us
were responding to our workplaces in flux and
adjusting to changing modes of service delivery.
I learned that multi-location libraries require
focused direction, no matter the type of institution.
Maintaining consistent and effective service across
multiple campuses/branches is a feat of
coordination. Also, I have a better understanding of
the library’s place in communities. Both Deirdre’s
and my organizations have similar goals including to
increase literacy and provide a welcoming
environment for learning. It is interesting to think
about our workplaces as a public service and just
how integral they are when they aren’t operating
normally, or at all, during an event like a pandemic.
Comparison & Learnings
I enjoyed learning about Deirdre’s work and
positioning my current work on the spectrum of
library roles. I have been in the higher education
sector for a while now and have become more
interested in other types of librarianship that are
out there. Learning more from Deirdre about
developing programs in a public library was exciting
and allowed me to draw connections between what
I am passionate about and ideas on how I might be
able to include some of that in my work in the
future.
I am grateful to the IRRT for facilitating the ILNP and
Deirdre’s and my meeting. It was great to chat with
another Librarian, in a different place, during such a
tricky time for the profession and communities
around the world. I hope Deirdre and I might keep
in touch. Outside of our email correspondence, we
have connected on LinkedIn and may continue
discussing our work and interests in that space.
Final Thoughts
As a part of the American Library Association
International Relations Round Table’s International
Librarian Networking Program, we corresponded via
email over the course of 3 months. Our
conversations were structured around the program
prompts and included focuses on our individual
backgrounds, the state of the profession of
librarianship in our country, and what we enjoy
most about our work.
Photo: Charles Sturt University Photo CC: Difference engine
Australia flag: Public Domain USA Flag CC: Gaiole
Graphic: yeliao521 via Pixabay