Two visiting librarians from Virginia, USA, recently toured the Central Queensland University (CQU) Library in Mackay and the Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, as part of a Group Study Exchange (GSE) sponsored and organised by the Port of Mackay Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Virginia.

The visiting librarians, Shaunna Hunter and Rebekah Hartberger, both of Virginia, are part of a group of 5 Rotary sponsored visiting professionals who are visiting operations in their chosen vocation; as well as learning and enjoying the cultural aspects of life in Queensland. The group are in the state for 5 weeks exploring the Mackay Rotary district that stretches from Mackay to Maryborough and out to the Northern Territory boarder.

Both librarians were enjoying their time in Queensland since arriving last Sunday.

"It’s a great opportunity to learn how Australians work in each of our chosen professions and also how they live when they’re not at work,” said Shaunna.

“As Librarians we’ve had a good look into 3 different kinds of libraries in the Mackay area – the University library, the Mobile library and the Public library.”.

Pauline McNee hosted the group at the CQU Mackay campus and on a tour of the University library.

“It was very interesting for all of us to be able to exchange information on our experiences in libraries from such diverse parts of the world. Shaunna and Rebekah were thrilled to be able to experience visiting a university library as well as the Public and Mobile library services in the one day," said Pauline.

Both interested in research, the visitors also met with staff from the Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, researcher and CQU lecturer Dr Shane Hopkinson and researcher and CQU lecturer Dr Judith Wake, to discuss current research topics in the Mackay region.

The exchange Librarians will visit regional areas in the remainder of the district before attending and speaking about their exchange experience at the state Rotary conference to be held in Hervey Bay at the end of April. After the conference they will return home to the USA and share their exchange experience with various Rotary clubs in their district.

Photo above: CQU Mackay Library Manager Pauline McNee (front) spent time with visiting librarians from Virginia USA, Shaunna Hunter (back) and Rebekah Hartberger (middle) on their recent tour of libraries in the Mackay Rotary district.