Western Sydney and beyond

As a bookish kid and veracious reader growing up in Western Sydney, St Clair Library was my second home. I would walk there after school or on the weekends. I discovered many great stories there, but one that grew along with me was the Obernewtyn Chronicles by beloved Australian author Isobelle Carmody. I think it was about 20 years from when I first picked up the series to when it came to an end. It was quite a journey. During that time I also started working in bookstores and participating in book release events, which I loved. Even though I worked in bookstores, I have always held a library membership. I've lived all over Sydney and been a member in the East, inner North, inner West, outer West and now the Blue Mountains. Libraries have allowed me to pass a love of books and literature onto my children as my financial situation has gone up and down. During my University years I spent many an hour at Macquarie University Library researching, studying and just having a warm safe place to stay between classes, because I lived so far away. It's hard to put into this small amount of words the profound impact that libraries and reading have had on my life and my trajectory. Above all it facititated my curiosity and helped establish a life long love of learning.