Merry Christmas to all

The library staff at the Campaspe Regional Library would like to wish all our patrons the very best for the festive season.  We hope that you enjoy time with family and friends, stay safe on our roads and celebrate the New Year with lots of fun and laughter.  

Our staff will be having a bit of a break over the Christmas period - all our libraries will be closed from tomorrow (Christmas Eve) at 12pm and re-open from the 4th January 2011.  All after-hours chutes will be available for returning items during this time. 
We look forward to welcoming you back in January to a jam packed month of activities including the Summer Read and the Scare Up a Good Book Summer Reading Club for the children.  There will be plenty to do during January so keep your eye on our library website for all the details.
Thank you for your patronage this year, 2010 has been a busy one for us and we look forward to completing our new library in Tongala in March and commencing construction on the Echuca Library mid way through the year.   Very exciting times for us and you.
Take care and all the very best.
Merry Christmas

Many many thanks to all our wonderful library volunteers

This morning we held a morning tea in Echuca to say thankyou to all our fantastically generous and lovely volunteers.  The theme of the morning had a Japanese feel as we were able to view the beautiful art work from our Sister City in Shiroi Japan.  Children from our Shire exchange art twice a year and it is always good to find the right opportunity to display their work which is of an incredibly high standard.  We also invited one of our Council staff and one of our Councillors to speak about their experience in Shiroi when they visited last year as part of the annual delegation.  It was great to see their pictures and hear their impressions and stories about the food and culture of Japan. 
The emphasis of the morning was to say a huge thankyou to our many volunteers who assist us with Books on Wheels, Words on Wheels, Library branches, Library depots, Adult literacy tutoring, Broadband for Seniors tutoring and Friends of the Library @ Kyabram and Echuca.
We wish all our volunteers the very best for the festive season

Christmas storytimes and celebrations

Over the next couple of weeks we have a number of Christmas storytimes at our branches.  This morning we held a story and craft session at Kyabram and on this coming Wednesday night at Kyabram we will having a family storytime with a visit from Santa at 6pm.  The other special storytimes are tomorrow, Saturday December 11th, at the Echuca Branch at 10.30am.  Santa will be visiting this session, as well as on Friday 17th December at 10.30am.  Rochester Library is having a Christmas story and craft session on Tuesday 21st December at 10.30am, and Rushworth's is on this coming Thursday16th December at 10.30am  Please check with branch staff for more details.

On Friday 17th December we are also hosting a special morning tea to say a big thank you to all our wonderful volunteers that have assisted the library throughout the year.  This will be held at the Echuca Civic Centre Function room from 10.30am.  We do really appreciate the efforts of many people who help out with Books on Wheels, Words on Wheels, Library Branches and Depots and our Friends of the Library members.   For more information about the Volunteers Christmas Celebration morning tea please contact Valerie Hansen on 54821997.

International Day of people with a disability

Today is a very important day in the world calendar of events, it is International Day of people with a Disability.  Our branch librarian from Echuca will be heading to the Echuca Special School this morning to join in the celebrations.  Many clients from Murray Human Services and students from the Echuca Special School are also attending the "All Abilities" celebration in Echuca this morning.   
A celebration of people with "all abilities" will be undertaken in the beautiful Hopwood Gardens park. The day will consist of Harley rides, music, Zumba dance demonstration and a barbecue and many other activities.   The event is free and starts at 10am
 
For more information about the International Day of people with a Disability please go to http://www.idpwd.com.au/
 

Christmas is just around the corner

Amazingly enough there are not many days until Christmas Day.  The library team are excited about all the wonderful activities that are happening over the next couple of months.  All library branches will be having special Christmas storytimes, please have a look at our upcoming events on our website for more details.  The Scare Up a Good Book Summer Reading Club officially commences on December 6th.  All branches will have Summer Reading Kits available and we encourage all primary aged children to participate.  There is a fabulous offering of holiday activities including entertainment from the Silly Billies at Echuca, Kyabram and Rochester.  For all information regarding the holiday program please pop into your closest branch and/or our website that has all the upcoming event information.  During January we will also be conducting The Summer Read for adults.  More information about this program will be posted next week. 
Please note that our libraries will be closed from 12pm on December 24th and re-open from the 4th January 2011.

We did travel back in time last week and it was fabulous

What a great few days we had last week with our colleagues from the State Library and Warren Joel from Leonard Joel Auctions.  It is wonderful when these events go so well, thank you to all that came along and enjoyed them.  Travelling Treasures was just so interesting, Paul Dee explained each exhibit with meticulous detail and expertise.  The SLV team were so enthusiastic and really enjoyed their time at Campaspe, meeting many school children and adults who attended the night events.  Thanks to the library team for their organisation and hospitality. 

On the Friday the Echuca Friends of the Library were absolutely thrilled with the Antique Appraisal Day in Echuca.  Warren Joel was highly entertaining, engaging and very knowledgeable.  We certainly thank him for his time and professionalism.  The Friends raised close to $1000 so thank you to the many people who bought antiques along to be appraised or just came and listened to the appraisals.  The day had a lovely warm atmosphere and we look forward to when Warren can come back again. 

Travelling back in time

Coming up in November we have two very special events that celebrate and reflect on history as a nation and our own personal histories.

Travelling Treasures from the State Library of Victoria brings items from the State Library's collections to Victorian public libraries, in a program of free evening talks that offer rare access to unique books, documents and artefacts.  We will be hosting these free events at two of our branches in November. 

Kyabram Library, Lake Road on Wednesday 17th November from 6pm and Echuca Branch Library Thursday 18th from 6pm.  Please join us to view the following treasures :

• the second edition of the Melbourne Advertiser newspaper (1838)
• Raffaelo Carboni's The Eureka Stockade (1855)
• pages from Ned Kelly's famous Jerilderie Letter (1879)
• documents from the Ern Malley literary hoax (1944)
• correspondence from award winning author Sonya Hartnett's early career (1980s)

On Friday 19th November we are very pleased to have an antique appraisal day with Warren Joel from Leonard Joel Antiques.  Warren will be at the Shire of Campaspe Function Room, Heygarth Street, Echuca from 10am - 3 pm for valuations.  $5 per valuation, maximum of 3 per person.  Tea and coffee will be available from our Friends of the Library.  Even if you don't have something that you would like valued it will be a fascinating day to sit, watch and listen to the appraisals. 

For more information please contact us on 1300 666 535

The Man Booker Prize

Congratulations go to Howard Jacobson on winning this years 50,000 pound Man Booker Prize. Unfortunately Australia's own Peter Carey missed out on securing this prestigious award. Howard received the prize for his novel 'The Finkler Question' More information about the shortlist, the award ceremony and details on the award can be found at www.themanbookerprize.com

Feeling like some natural healing?

We are delighted to have Reflexologist Rebecca Cole back at Campaspe again. Rebecca is conducting two free workshops on reflexology at Rochester and Echuca this month. Rochester's session is this coming Tuesday at 1.30pm at the Library and Echuca's is on Monday 25th at the Shire of Campaspe Function Room at 11am.
Not sure what it is all about, now is your chance to find out!
There is no cost or bookings required, just come along.
Rebecca will explain the benefits of reflexology and conduct some 'hands on' applications.
Look forward to seeing you, for more information please contact us on 1300 666535 or email libraries@campaspe.vic.gov.au

New website coming soon

The staff at the library are very excited about our new library website which will be going live very soon. You will notice quite a different approach, there will be much more information about coming events, online resources to assist you, links to great websites, new genealogy/children's and youth blogs. We are hoping to go live later this week so watch out for the change. The web address will be the same as it is now www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library
We look forward to your feedback which can be sent to libraries@campaspe.vic.gov.au

Great Book Swap

A reminder to everyone to join us on Thursday at all our branches for the Great Book Swap. We would love to see you and your pre-loved books, bring them along and swap them for other ones. You are invited to make a donation towards the Indigenous Literacy Project which is being supported by the Fred Hollows Foundation. All library branches will be hosting the Great Book Swap during their normal opening times. If you would like more information please contact library staff or head to www.indigenousliteracyproject.org.au to find out more.

Get reading

Our libraries have been very busy promoting the joy of reading over August with all our special Children's Book Week activities. Now we join the national campaign Get Reading which is a great initiative that promotes books across all parts of the industries - the writers, the publishers, the booksellers, the libraries and most of all the readers. We will be donning our red T Shirts and providing the '50 books you can't put down' booklets at all our branches. We have most of the titles available, or if we haven't got it on our shelves we can certainly order it for you.
We would also like to let you know that on the 30th September we are involved in another national campaign which is the Great Book Swap as part of the Indigenous Literacy Project (NLP). If you would like to offload some of your old children's books and swap them for others this is your chance. You can donate or swap these at our libraries on Thursday September 30th, if you would like to make a donation to the NLP that would also be fantastic. More details about it soon.
But for now GET READING!

Book Myne App for iPhone users

You can now access the library catalogue and your library card from your iPhone with this great app called BookMyne.

With BookMyne you can:

Locate your nearest library (and any others registered on BookMyne)
Renew checked out items
Place and cancel hold requests
Check your account details
Navigate to the library's homepage
You can download the app from the iTunes store.

Knitting up a storm

We would like to thank all our patrons and staff for contributing to the Save the Children Fund Campaign 'Knit One Save One'
Our knitting sessions during the holidays were a big success. We also provided wool and needles at all our branches to encourage people to add a few rows while they in the library. Many of our staff have been busy knitting away as well.
If you have the time the SCF are desperately seeking volunteers to sew up the squares into rugs. They are pleased that they have exceeded their target of 80,000. At the time of writing this post they have received over 88,000 sqauares. Each 16 squares makes a rug for newborn babies. What a great idea and what a great response. The library has been very pleased to be able to support this campaign, as well as encouraging young and old to take up this terrific pastime.

Our writing events

It has been a very pleasing month with a range of writing events which have coincided with The Independent Type : Books and writing in Victoria exhibition. One week left so please take the oppportunity to view it before it moves on to the Mill Park Library. We have also had great fun with our holiday activities, more about the knitting and pom pom making in our next post. Back to the writing! We are very appreciative of Express Media for the Blogging and Zine workshop, The Victorian Writer's Centre for the Writing for younger readers workshop, to Bridiga Nailon CSB for launching her new book Encounter and also to Shane Carmody from the State Library who spoke at the launch of the exhibition. Thanks to the State Library of Victoria and the Public Library Network of Victoria for organising the travelling exhibition and for the number of sponsors that allowed it to happen, especially ABC Radio. Thanks to everyone that came along to the events, we hope that you enjoyed them.

The Independent Type Exhibition

We would like to invite one and all to our traveling exhibition "The Independent Type: Books and Writing in Victoria" which kicks off at the Echuca Library on the 26th June and runs until 25th July. The exhibition is proudly bought to you by the State Library of Victoria and is sponsored by ABC Radio. the official opening will take place on Sunday 27th June at 2.15pm. Councillor Carol Howell will officially open the exhibition,folllowed by Shane Carmody - Director of Access and Collections, SLV who will present a lively and entertaining talk about the exhibition. There are a range of other activities that are being conducted to coincide with the exhibition including a blogging/zine workshop on Wednesday June 30 from 2-4 at the Echuca Library. Aimed at ages 12+. On Wednesday 7th July, 10am local author Bridiga Nailon CSB will officially launch her new book "Encounter, the past and future of remote Kimberley". On Wednesday 14th July Nicholas Brasch will be conducting a writing workshop for people interested in writing for young people. This will be from 10.30-12.30 and will be held at the Echuca Civic Centre. Please visit the fantastic State Library of Victoria website www.slv.vic.gov.au for more information on the exhibition. Please contact the library if your would like more information about the writing workshops and/or the exhibition. 1300 666535. Look forward to seeing you.

We have gone a bit hot this week!

We are rapt to announce that free wireless internet is now available at the Echuca and Kyabram Branches. If you would like to make use of this free service, which has been provided through a Victorian State Government grant, please see the staff at these libraries. All you need is a login and password, agree to the terms of conditions of use and away you go. Next week we are also installing a new PC Management System which will allow you to book your own Library PCs from home or in the library. More information about this soon. Anyway please let your friends and family know that we have got wireless up and happening and its FREE!

Library and Information Week May 24-30, 2010

Library And Information Week May 24 – 30

View more presentations from Jenny Mustey.

Being the Best We Can

The Campaspe Regional Library Service has just completed an intensive self evaluation on three areas of its service. Today the results of this evaluation have been presented to Councillors and Senior Management. It is with much pleasure that we can announce that we have received a very strong 2 star rating from our peer reviewers. What does this mean exactly? This star rating indicates that we have a overall satisfactory provision of core library services, we have a few strengths and examples of good practice. We, however, have challenges in some areas that do have an adverse effect on some of our library users. The report includes detailed explanations of the three key result areas (KRAs) that we have evaluated, plus an detailed plan that will assist us to move forward and work on the opportunities for improvement. Campaspe has been fortunate to be one of nine libraries across the state of Victoria to pilot this program and have found it to be a very worthwhile project to work on. We intend to complete the remaining two KRAs in the next financial year. Thanks to the library team members who assisted in the evaluation and the State Library of Victoria for their project management. A job well done and now we can aspire to improving our performance.

NEC Broadband for Seniors

It is with much pleasure that we announce that we have been able to access a Federal Government initiative, via the Echuca Adult Literacy Group, to host 2 NEC Broadband for Seniors Kiosks. The kiosks are available at the Echuca Branch Library, the computers are simple to use with fast broadband access connecting users to the internet. The main aim of the kiosks is to encourage seniors (50+) in our community to become more savvy with the internet, using features like webcam and skype to connect to family and friends. Seniors who don't feel confident in using the internet are encouraged to contact Wendy O'Hara on 54821997 to arrange for free tuition. A small number of volunteers are ready and willing to assist the seniors learn more about the internet. If you would like to volunteer Wendy would also love to hear from you. The program was officially launched on the 8th April by Hon Dr Sharman Stone MHR. Please come along and see what it is all about.

Our wide collection

Did you know that we have access to nearly 4 million library items across Victoria? You can have these delivered to you nearest branch for free. How does this work? Campaspe is one of 17 libraries in Victoria that is part of the SWIFT Consortium, which means all of these libraries use the same Library Management System and share the same catalogue database. If a book isn't available at your own library service, your friendly branch staff or you can place a reservation on most items and they will sent to your branch as soon as it becomes available. When the item arrives you will receive a note in the mail or an email to say it is waiting for pickup. Campaspe doesn't own a music collection or LOTE collection, apart from Italian books so if you would like to borrow these resources you can. Access our library catalogue/elibrary www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library. If you need assistance in reserving items please ask our staff to assist you, you can also call us on 1300 666 535. If you are using elibrary and wish to log in to your account you will need your library membership card as your username, your pin will be the last six digits of your membership card.

Library Lovers Month

This week is your last chance to borrow a 'blind date' and enter our Library Lovers Competition. All you have to do is take out one of our specially marked 'blind date' books, fill out an entry form and your'e in the draw to win a box of chocolates. This competition is being run at all of our branches. Gotta be in to win it!

Echuca Regional Library Project Update

In December 2009 Council decided to look at two different options for the new Regional Library and not pursue the IGA site due to major financial constraints. Two options put forward were 1. Civic Centre Annexe and 2. Swap locations with the VIC and extend the pump house building. These options were put out for public comment and over 60 submissions were received. The February 15th Council report is now available at www.campaspe.vic.gov.au which provides a summary of the submission responses. After serious evaluation of the submissions and also by seeking advice from a range of advisers Council will now consider the recommendation to adopt the Civic Centre Option and to also appoint an architect as soon as possible to commence the design process. The Council meeting will be held at 8pm next Tuesday at the Rochester Sports Complex, all the community are welcome to attend.

What a time we have had

The summer holidays are almost over and back to school next week for many. We would like to thank all the children and parents that participated in our Summer Reading Club and The Summer Read. We have had a fantastic response to all our activities with huge attendances. The children have enjoyed the 'read on the wild side' theme and it has been terrific using local experts to visit our libraries and share their knowledge about bugs and reptiles.

We also really enjoyed Maura the Clairvoyant Librarian who entertained and enthralled many visitors to the Port of Echuca last Wednesday. You still have time to take part in the Summer Read program, more details www.slv.vic.gov.au/goto/summer-read

There are some wonderful prizes to be won just by reading and recommending one of the Summer Read titles.

Our storytimes, book chats and book clubs are about to kick off for the year so keep your eyes on our website for more details.

If you would like to be notified of our special events please add your email address to your membership details when you pop in next, you will receive notifications about book requests, overdue books, as well as what is happening in our branches.

Welcome Back

Hi everyone, a warm wishes for a very Happy and Safe New Year. Our libraries have been tremendously busy during our first week back. The hot weather is bringing our visitors out early and looks like more hot weather is on the way. Yesterday we had 18 children attend our Jewellry Making activity at Rochester and 42 today at Echuca. Thanks for coming along, the jungle jewellry looked fabulous. There are two activities on next week which are Lion Masks and Bug Safari. All the details are on the previous blog post or on our website www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library

We are looking forward to seeing Maura the Clairvoyant Librarian appear at the Port of Echuca on the 20th Jan, remember to come along and receive your Summer Read reading prediction.

If you are keen to recommend what you have read from our collection you can now add your book review to our online catalogue for free. You can either register as a Chilfresh book reviewer or add a review anonymously. The reviews are now visible on our elibrary http://tinyurl.com/y85t3eu , it's a great way to share your thoughts - good and bad - on the titles you have been reading. Enjoy.