It may not have been Harley’s they were riding, but a group of bike riding librarians road into town last week on their third annual Biblio Turismo ride, promoting not only the vital role played by public libraries but also challenging the stereotype of librarians.

Co-ordinated by Gosford City Council’s library services manager Alan Flores the bike ride this year has taken the motorcycle loving librarians from Gosford to Tamworth and Armidale via Maitland and Gloucester.

Mr Flores said the tour has brought together librarians from Ballarat, Canberra, Griffith, Blacktown, Mona Vale, Manly, Gosford and Newcastle.

“It’s a bit of fun,” he said.

But the fun has a serious side in publicizing the role of public libraries and what the offer.

He said they are important for communities because of the role they play in literacy, learning and education.

Mr Flores said it gives the touring librarians a chance to see other libraries and how they operate and in some small way it also helps change the image of librarians and promote being a librarian as a career choice.

“People see librarians in a different light,” he said.

“It’s a job where you can have a lot of fun if you want to,” he said.