Library and Information Week is one of the busiest weeks at Clarence Valley libraries and 2020 is no exception.
This year Library and Information Week runs from 25–31 May and the theme is Create.
The biggest event across all libraries is National Simultaneous Storytime, an annual event that aims for one million children across Australia to read the same story at the same time.
This year’s story is Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas by Australian author and illustrator, Lucinda Gifford.
“We usually welcome over 100 pre-schoolers into our libraries for Simultaneous Storytime but this year, because we’re closed, we’re moving the story-time online,” Regional Librarian, Kathryn Breward said.
The libraries have distributed resource packs and Whitney and Britney colouring-in competitions to preschools and children across the Clarence Valley to keep them connected to the national storytelling event.
“On Wednesday at 11am I’ll be wearing my feather boa ready to read Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas on our YouTube channel. We’re hoping kids across the region will get dressed up and tune in to read the story with us and all the other children across the country.”
Other events planned across the week include two online poetry competitions for students, a digital puzzle, Library Technicians Day and a virtual Biggest Morning Tea to help raise money and awareness for the Cancer Council – something Clarence Valley libraries do every year.
“Now more than ever people are turning to libraries to get them through these tough times so we’re also using Library and Information Week to celebrate the amazing and creative ways our library service is rising to the challenge to support our communities through the pandemic,” Mrs Breward said.
“Our members have had ongoing access to their library throughout the isolation period so there’s a lot to celebrate.”
For details on Library and Information week at Your Library visit www.crl.nsw.gov.au .
For a sneak peak of what we have planned for National Simultaneous Storytime click HERE.