Hello library lovers!
Welcome to our May newsletter. We’ve got some big news to share about library upgrades. Plus upcoming events at your library, literary news, and photos from all of the fun we had in April. Enjoy!
FUNDING FOR LIBRARY UPGRADES.
We’ve had some fantastic news from the State Library of NSW. Four of our libraries have received Public Library Infrastructure Grants totaling $757,760!
This funding will be used for a welcome extension of Dorrigo Library including improved access. Our Yaegl libraries (Maclean, Yamba, and Iluka) will be refurbished including new shelving and Aboriginal placemaking art.
LEIGH HOBBS @ GRAFTON LIBRARY
Over 650 Clarence Valley kids visited Grafton Library over two days in April for free workshops with Aussie illustrator, Leigh Hobbs. Leigh taught all of the children and many adults how to draw the colorful characters from his children’s books including Old Tom and Mr. Chicken. What a way to celebrate Clarence Valley’s plunge Festival.
GET YOUR SPACE HELMET READY
Join us for National Simultaneous Storytime on 19 May to read Give Me Some Space by Philip Bunting. Contact your local library for details.
BELLINGEN WRITERS FESTIVAL
If you haven’t put this in your diary, add it now. The Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival is on 11 – 13 June and the lineup of authors is incredible. Writers include Tony Birch, Bob Brown, Julian Burnside, Barrie Cassidy, Anna Fienberg, Kate Forsyth, Alison Gibbs, Morris Gleitzman, Jess Hill, Claire Hooper, Paul McDermott, B.P Marshall, William McInnes, Favel Parrett, Oliver Phommavanh, Penelope Pratley, Craig Silvey and so many more.
At Bellingen Library you’ll find a big display of books by festival-bound authors making it easy to select books in preparation for this fantastic local festival
AFTER SCHOOL FUN @ YOUR LIBRARY
School holidays are over but the fun isn’t! We have a bunch of FREE afterschool programs for kids four days a week at your library.
TUESDAYS: Library Lego Legends @ Dorrigo Library, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
WEDNESDAYS: Library Lego Legends @ Urunga Library, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
THURSDAYS: Library Lego Legends @ Bellingen Library, 3:30pm – 4:30pm
FRIDAYS: Friday Fun @ Grafton Library, 4pm – 5pm. Registration required.
TELL US YOUR HOLIDAY WORKSHOP IDEAS
We’re busy planning our winter school holiday program. If you have any ideas for workshops or events for school-aged kids, we’d love to hear from you
RADICAL ONLINE AUTHOR TALK
Relive the radical sixties in Australia with this incredible online author event with Nadia Wheatley and Meredith Burgmann on 13 May from 1 pm – 2 pm.
There are two ways to attend. You can watch the author talk on the big screen @ Grafton Library with a cuppa (BYO lunch) or via Zoom from home or at your desk. Details here.
JOIN A BOOK CLUB AT YOUR LIBRARY
Joining a book club is a fun way to read. To find a book club near you, give your local library a call or find out more HERE.
Book club updates @ your library:
- Yamba Book club is back with its first meeting locked in for May 14.
Bellingen Book Club is looking for members.
MAKING FRIENDS AT DORRIGO LIBRARY
A friendship that blossomed in the Youngster. co-program at Dorrigo Library between local resident Ruth Holmes and 16-year-old Sienna has been celebrated on ABC TV and Radio National’s Life Matters show. You can watch their story in ABC’s Ageless Friendship series or listen to Michael Mackenzie interview the pair on ABC’s Radio National.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUNGSTER.CO
Do you have a smartphone or iPad but you’re unsure how to use it? An app you’d like to download? Want to know how to take photos and send them to family and friends? Having trouble with QR codes? Ask a Youngster to help you learn at your local library. It’s FREE! Book a youngster session or call your local library
LIVE’N’LOUD @ GRAFTON LIBRARY
We celebrated Youth Week at Grafton Library with live music in the carpark. What an unexpectedly awesome venue for an event! As you can see from the photos, Live ‘n’ Loud was a hit with young people and a launchpad for local bands. More photos from the gig are HERE.
KEITH HOWLAND RETROSPECTIVE @ YAMBA
Yamba Library collaborated with the Port of Yamba Historical Society to present a collection of works by renowned artist Keith Howland (1925 – 2014) for the plunge Festival.
Keith Howland lived in Yamba during the 70s & 80s, painting many local scenes. His commercial work included Arnott’s biscuit tins.
WORKSHOPS @ YAMBA AND ILUKA
Our resident traditional book binder, Monique Buchbach’s Chinese thread book workshops are a great day out at the library.
Monique has two free workshops coming up so be quick and register to secure a spot. Yamba Library 28th May, Iluka Library 11th June
OPENING TIMES @ THE LIBRARY
There are some big weeks coming up in May at your library including Library and Information Week and Reconciliation Week. It’s also Mother’s Day on Sunday. Louise @ Maclean Library made this display as a tribute to her mum.
Quick Links
Happy Mother’s Day to all of our mums. Take care, stay well and see you at your local library.
-Your Library Team