Bathurst has been selected as the host city for the 2026 SWITCH Conference, a gathering of library staff, Councillors, trade delegates and industry professionals from across NSW.
From Tuesday 10 – Friday 13 November, 306 conference attendees will be welcomed to the Bathurst Region for a thought-provoking four-day program.
Mayor Ben Fry commented on the privilege it is for Bathurst to be named the host city for this year’s conference and the light it shines on the role of public libraries here in Regional NSW.
“This is the very first year that SWITCH has been held in Bathurst and we are proud and delighted to soon be welcoming 306 visitors to our beautiful city.
“SWITCH is an annual event hosted by the New South Wales Public Libraries Association, focusing on the transformation of public libraries in our changing digital and social landscape. Being held here in Bathurst provides a chance to further highlight how important public libraries, the services, social connection and community events they provide, are to our regional communities.
“The conference in Bathurst is especially timely too with this year marking the 70th Birthday of Bathurst Library. With 70 years’ worth of book-loving history, more than 100,000 visitors welcomed through the Library doors annually, a purpose-built mobile library van and a dedicated team of library staff who are constantly adapting to community needs and solidifying the library as a supportive community hub, we are thrilled that Bathurst Library will be on show this week.
“This event is also a terrific tourism opportunity for the region! With a four-day program, there’s plenty of time outside the conference for exploration of our city, shining a spotlight on our excellent museums, local businesses and hospitality offerings,” said Mayor Fry.
Adele Casey, Executive Officer at NSW Public Libraries Association, remarked that SWITCH 2026 is a wonderful opportunity for the public library sector to come together, share knowledge, celebrate achievements and look ahead to the future.
“Libraries are continually evolving to meet the changing needs of their communities, and SWITCH provides an important space for our sector to be inspired, challenged and connected. I’m particularly excited to be bringing the conference to Bathurst and showcasing the important contribution public libraries make to communities right across NSW,” said Adele Casey.