On Wednesday 2 nd July, I travelled from Cheshire to Birmingham for a day at the CILIP Conference 2025. After registering and being given a map and a timetable, I entered the exhibition room which was pulsing with excitement. People were hugging each other and shaking hands, waving from across the room and running to say hello with huge smiles on their faces. This was obviously an opportunity for colleagues and friends to come together and celebrate librarianship as well as for librarians like me to network and build new connections. After pouring myself a cup of coffee, I spoke to the people on the Better World Books stand and the BorrowBox stand. These were both brands I recognised due to Cheshire ELS working with them. Although I knew about what those companies did, it was lovely for me to ask questions, learn more about different project they were undertaking and some of the history of the companies. I walked away feeling more confident and uplifted. The opening comments by Lo...