Kyabram Library and Community Hub Officially Opened

On Tuesday 24th March Minister Richard Wynne officially opened the new Kyabram Library and Community Hub. The library is now operating successfully in its new home at the Lake Rd site, along with the Customer Service Centre, Toy Library, Historical Society and Family History group. Many community members came along to the opening, as well as the media from WIN TV and Kyabram Free Press and we thank all for their support. Minister Wynne and Councillor Howell both spoke very favourably about the facility and highlighted the 60% increase in space, additional library hours and the improved facilities for the public and the staff. The new shelving and the children's area, as well as the glass frontage and pleasant outlook were all big hits. The library will now be available from 8.30am every day and open till 5pm on Mondays and Fridays, 6pm on Tuesday and Thursdays and 7pm on Wednesdays, also Saturday from 10-1. The library staff will commence at 10am each day except for Wednesdays when it will be 12pm. The public now have nearly the double of hours of opening now that it is the new location. So come along, and enjoy the new surroundings. Thanks to the project team, ably led by Keith Edwards, who have created a wonderful library out of the existing Shire building.

FOLA Eric Flynn Award for library services to older adults

The Campaspe Regional Library are thrilled to receive the Eric Flynn Award for Library Services for Older Adults from the Friends of the Library Australia. We recently held a celebration dinner to recognise and thank the efforts of our Words on Wheels Storytellers. It was a very happy occasion and we thank FOLA President Dr. Alan Bundy AM for attending the evening and presenting the award to Valerie Hansen, WOW Coordinator and Jenny Mustey, Library Services Manager. Dr. Bundy spoke very highly of the program and believes it is a model worthly of emulation by other councils and their library services throughout Australia. We are extremely proud of the way the program is reaching over 380 residents in aged care facilties each month. Valerie has put a huge amount of time in researching the stories, poems and pictures that are developed into storytelling kits on a vaste range of themes. The storytellers are all enthusiastic and bring many talents and ideas to the sessions. We also appreciate the important support from all lifestyle and activity coordinators at the various facilties, without this it would be very difficult to conduct the program. We look forward to the opportunity of speaking of the program at a conference in May which is focussing on library services to older adults.