Merry Christmas from the Campaspe Regional Library Team

To all our wonderful library members, residents and visitors within the Campaspe Shire the library team would like to wish you a safe and happy festive season.  The library team look forward to a jam-packed 2012 with special events like the National Year of Reading, Rochester Community Hub development and the new Regional Library being completed in Echuca.  Before all that happens we have a great summer reading program for all primary aged children; a detailed list of activities is available on our website.  A reminder too for adults to vote for their favourite Victorian novel in the Our Story competition.  Details are available from http://www.love2read.org.au/
We look forward to seeing you in the New Year.  A reminder that our libraries are closed from 3pm on the 23rd December and will reopen at normal opening hours on January 3rd. 

All the best for Christmas, we hope you have lots of great reading to keep you entertained over the break.  Remember that we also have free downloadable audio books so for those of you who scored some new electronic devices for Christmas check out our website for heaps of books to download onto them.

Regional Library Update

Echuca Concreting working on the slab, half way there

It has been wonderful over the last few weeks as preparation for the slab for the new regional library in Echuca has taken place.  The weather was particularly kind over the last few days which allowed all of the slab to be completed.  The next stage in the project will see the steel structure put into place, this may commence this week.  The project is going very well, is on track according to the timeline and budget.  Regular updates can be found on the library website www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library by clicking on the New Regional Library button. 
The current Echuca Library branch has just held its last day Christmas storytime on Friday with one more evening session to go this Wednesday 21st at 6.30pm.
A reminder that the Summer Reading Club 'The Amazing Read' has started for primary aged children, activities are a'plenty over the summer break so come into the library and grab your program or have a look at the list on the website.
Also a reminder that voting closes for Our Story on January 6th.

The completed concrete slab for the new Regional Library in Echuca

All libraries will be closed over the Christmas break and will reopen on Tuesday 3rd January.  

We are hitting the airwaves

Tune into EMFM Community radio next Thursday 1st December to hear the first Library Bytes program.  Commencing at 10am the program will include some info about coming events at the library, National Year of Reading 2012, latest books, Wavesound audio downloadables and lots of other information and music.  We are hoping this will be a regular show on the first Thursday of the month.   Look forward to you joining us.

National Broadband Network Information Sessions

This week our library service is hosting information sessions about the National Broadband Network.  The sessions are informal and an opportunity to ask questions about the rollout and what it means for people in our Shire and how it will effect you at home, business, education and workplace.   A representative from the NBN will be at all our branches, please see coming events on our website for more information.

The first day!

The day has arrived.  The fences are up and the site office is being installed.  The new regional library project has officially started in Echuca.  There will be regular updates on the Shire of Campaspe website http://www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/ and also regular posts on the Shire's Facebook page.  Photos of the development will also be continually taken during the course of the project and they will be placed on the regular bulletins produced by the communcations team.  We will also have photos available at the Echuca branch for viewing. 
We wish the builders, sub-contractors and the project management team all the very best as they deliver the project over the coming months.  Exciting times ahead and we can't wait to open our new library next October.

Our Story

The search as begun for eight books that paint a picture of the Australian people and the land that we live in.  Everyone now has the chance to vote for the book that will represent each State and will be put forward as part of the National Year of Reading Collection.  All the shortlisted titles (which some of our staff and residents had the pleasure of being on the evaluation/reading panel) are now available from our library service.  You have time to read as many titles as you can, voting opens on the 1st November and closes on 6th January 2012.  To vote online visit  http://www.abc.net.au/ or drop into one of our library branches or local book shop to fill in a voting slip.  The eight winners will be announced at the launch of the National Year of Reading on 14 February 2012, along with a competition that will be launched to win the collection of all eight titles. 
This is the first of many wonderful events and activities that will be opening from hereon.  Our library service will be a strong supporter of the national campaign and we look forward to providing many special local events throughout the year. 
For more information about 'Our Story' please go to http://www.love2read.org.au/our-story.cfm

National Year of Reading (NYOR) 2012

William McInnes recently spoke about his role as Patron of the National Year of Reading 2012.
Our library service is busy planning lots of activities to celebrate this special year. 

Sod Turning Milestone for the new Regional Library in Echuca

Yesterday under blue skies, sunshine and our stunning backdrop the first sod was turned to signify the commencement of works and site hand-over to our builders Circon.  Paul Weller MP and Mayor Neil Pankhurst both spoke on the State Government and the Shire of Campaspe's commitment to the project.  President of the Friends of the Library Stella Moore spoke of how pleased the Friends were to see this day and that the new library facility will be highly valued and used by the community.  Stella joined Councillor Pankhurst and Paul Weller in the official duty of turning the sod.  The site was then formally handed over to representatives from Circon.  For regular updates please keep an eye on this blog, as well as Project Bulletins which will be available from the Shire of Campaspe website http://www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/ The first bulletin which outlines the key milestones of the project is available now.  All library branches will also have them available in hard copy. 

We thank the many people that attended yesterdays event and we look forward to the coming months as we see the site take on concrete, bricks, roof and glass.  The next step in the project is to prepare the site including some landscaping works.

Turning the Sod - you are all invited

Next Monday, 26th September, at 11.30am a very important task will be completed to signify the commencement of construction works on the Regional Library in Echuca.  Please join us to celebrate this important milestone.  The Echuca Library will be closed from 11.15am - 12pm to allow staff and library patrons the opportunity to attend.  The erection of fencing and preparation of the site will commence shortly after this celebration.  Car parking conditions in Hare Street has been altered.   Works are going well at the Tourist Information Centre to create additional car parking.  The Percy Street car parking extension has also been completed. 
We look forward to seeing you at the Cnr of Radcliffe and Hare Street next Monday to witness this important occassion.

The Regional Library project's progress will be updated via this blog, as well as the Shire of Campaspe website http://www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/ There will be regular fact sheets and updates in the one page supplements of the local newspapers. 

The Premier's 21

Congratulations to the Wheeler Centre, Melbourne for Victorian Premier's Literature Awards on Tuesday 6th September.  The following authors were successful in receiving awards for their work, including Kim Scott’s novel That Deadman Dance took out the inaugural Victorian Prize for Literature

The other category winners were Cate Kennedy’s The Taste of River Water for poetry.

Mark McKenna’s An Eye for Eternity for non-fiction

Patricia Cornelius' Do not go gentle… for drama

Cassandra Golds' The Three Loves of Persimmon for young adult fiction

Each category winner receives $25,000, while the winner of the Victorian Prize for Literature wins an additional $100,000, making it the richest literary prize in the country.


New Echuca Library

We are well and truly on our way!  Circon Industries have been appointed to construct the building and works will commence next month.   It is hoped that the new library will be completed by August 2012.   If you would like more information about the design please pop into the Echuca Branch and have a look at the design.  Our current library is about 350sqm, the new library will be 1300sqm so will be quite a change for library users and staff.  The library will be built adjacent to the Council Offices on the Cnr Hare and Heygarth Street.  It will overlook the riverine environment and will have paths and parking connected to the entry point. 
We will continue to provide updates of the progress with lots of pickies.  The image here is indicative of what the building will look like but please note there have been some changes to the external fabric so the end result will look a bit different but the footprint is correct.  This is the view from the river side; we are so fortunate to have such a beautiful setting.

Books on Wheels

Did you know that our library service provides home deliveries across the Shire to people who are based in their homes?  We provide monthly deliveries to over 120 people.  This service is coordinated at Echuca by our Books on Wheels Coordinator and friendly volunteers bring the library items to your door.  If you know of someone who would like this service, whether it be short or long term we are happy to assist.  Books on Wheels operates in all our main centres.  Please contact Valerie Hansen on 54821997 for more information.  We also have another outreach program called Words on Wheels which provides interactive storytelling sessions at all aged care facilties across the Shire.  These have been a popular addition to our programming and close to 300 residents enjoy listening to stories and poems each month.

Children's Book Week (Month) here we come

Campaspe Library Branches are now gearing up for Children's Book Week which we promote all through August in our storytimes and school visits.  We kick off this coming Monday with four classes from St Marys visiting the Echuca Branch.   The students will hear about the Shortlist nominated titles, hear a couple of stories and create some craft related to the book or the theme.  We really appreciate the support of all schools in our Shire and we anticipate that between 600-700 children will participate in the activities over the month.  We are lucky that we have such clever and enthusiastic staff who have worked out the program together and who all look forward to meeting the staff and students from their local schools.  The theme this year is One World Many Stories which is a fantastic theme to promote.  It is wonderful to celebrate and recognise the diverse makeup of Australia, there are so many wonderful cultural stories, including our own Indigenous ones.  So here's to a busy and happy month, we hope all the sessions go really well. 

Rochester Library update

We are very pleased to let everyone know that the library has been relocated into the meeting room section of the Customer Service Centre in Mackay St, Rochester.  We have added some additional shelving to allow for more resources to be available.  We have also got the public internet computer back and this is available from 9am - 5pm every weekday, except between 12pm-1pm.  This relocation is a temporary measure while we work on reinstating full library services as they were prior to the flood event in January.  The library will be visited by library staff each day.  At this stage we will not be open on Saturdays but will advise if this changes.   We thank the community for their patience and we look forward to the next steps in getting things back on track.  Please contact us if you have queries or item requests on 5482 1997.  The Customer Service staff at Rochester will also be able to assist you.

On board with books

The Campaspe Regional Library is proud to be partnering with the Port of Echuca to celebrate a very significant milestone of a most loved and well known member of the paddlesteamer fleet.  The PS Pevensey is due to celebrate her 100th Birthday on 20th July 2011.  We are well into the 100 day countdown to recognise this special date and lots and lots of activities have been planned to celebrate.  The library is involved in four ways

1. Treasure Hunt, venture into the library and locate the answer to the first question on the sheet.  Treasure Hunt sheets are available from the Port of Echuca shop.
2. The Nancy Cato Readathon, read five of Nancy's books, write a review and then receive a special double pass to the Port of Echuca.  Nancy wrote the famous book All the Rivers Run which infact put the PS Pevensey on the world stage as the PS Philadelphia.
3. On Thursday 5th July we are having a special school holiday activity on the Pevensey.  Stories, songs and craft as we cruise along the mighty Murray.  Boarding time is 11.15, bookings are essential and cost is $9 per child/adult
4. On Sunday 10th July we are having another cruise but this time renowned storyteller Julie Smith will be sharing the poetry and stories of Nancy Cato.  Afternoon tea will be included, boarding time is 2.15 and cost is $9 per person.
For more information about any of these great events please contact the library on 5482 1997.
We look forward to seeing you there and we congratulate our Shire colleagues on such a wonderful celebratory event.
For more information about the other events please head to http://www.portofechuca.org.au/

Libraries : we find stuff!

Always an exciting time for libraries across Australia.  It is a time to celebrate and recognise what libraries are all about and an opportunity to find out how libraries can help you 'find stuff'.  We have a few sessions about finding information from our website, catalogue and the internet during the week that everyone is welcome to attend.  We are also very pleased to be partipating in National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday at Stanhope Pre-School.   Our genealogy classes are always popular and this weeks is already booked out but please contact us if you would like to go on our waiting list. 
Please see the coming events for details of each activity and for more general information about Library and Information Week 2011 please go to http://www.alia.org.au/

Echuca Library Project - another milestone reached

We are now getting that little bit closer with the next stage in the process going live on the weekend.  The tender for construction of the $5.1 million project was advertised on Saturday via the Shire of Campaspe Council website http://www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/
Detailed design has been completed, colours and finishes are being decided upon and car parking arrangements will the next thing to complete to ensure construction can commence in a timely manner. 
We are still working towards October 2012 for our new branch to be open, so very exciting times over the next 18 months as we prepare for the transistion.

Volunteers spreading the word

Last week two of our staff had the absolute pleasure in attending the launch of Words on Wheels at South Morang, Eltham and Rosanna.  Words on Wheels Storytelling was created by our library service a number of years ago and has now been embraced by the Yarra Plenty Library Corporation (largest in the state).  Words on Wheels provides storytelling sessions for older adults in all aged care facilities in our Shire.  Yarra Plenty will also be offering the program throughout their various Shires that make up the corporation.  It was wonderful to meet the volunteers that will be creating and delivering this program, they are so enthusiastic and happy to be doing something that will benefit so many others, as well as themselves.
Below is an image of Valerie Hansen, our Volunteer Coordinator with the staff and volunteers from Yarra Plenty Library at the launch in Rosanna

As we celebrate National Volunteers Week this week we would like to thank all our wonderful volunteers that support us through Books On Wheels, Words on Wheels, Friends of the Library, Adult Literacy, Broadband for Seniors, and general library tasks.  We could not be the library service we are without you, so thanks to everyone who donate their time and energy to us. 

Feathers for Phoebe

May is just about upon us and this is when libraries across Australia celebrate National Library and Information Services Week.  As part of the celebrations the National Simultaneous Storytime is a very special highlight of the week, so much that we present this storytime right throughout the month.  Children will be treated to listening to Feather's for Phoebe by Rod Clement as well as some fun activities associated with the book.  For more details of session times please keep a close eye on our library website.   More information about LISW will follow.

Tongala Library is back home again

We are very pleased to inform you that the Tongala Library has been relocated into the Tongala Library and Community Hub.  The library is now situated at the western end of the building.  It is open during business hours each day and Saturdays from 10am -12pm.  95% of the shelving is brand new and we also have some nice new furniture for reading and new computer desks and chairs. 
The official opening is on Thursday 21st at 10am, followed by a holiday activity for the children.  Please come along and check out the 'new' library.  And also thank you for your patience during our relocation and setting up period. 
For more information about the Tongala Library please see our main website.

It's great to have Friends

We are very blessed at Campaspe that we have two Friends of the Library Groups that support our branches at Echuca and Kyabram.  These two groups have been fabulous over the years raising additional funds for our library programs, lobbying and advocating for library services and of course being wonderful friends to the library staff in the true sense of the word.  This week our Echuca Friends are once again holding their famous Homemade Jam and Book Sale.   It will be at the Echuca Library on Friday 25th March from 9.30am - 1pm.  The Friends will follow the sale with their regular monthly meeting which is usually held at 10.15am on the last Friday of the month.   There is also a special raffle for a handmade Porcelain Baby Doll.   Please come along and support the Friends in their endeavours, they have worked particularly hard to raise money for the new Echuca library, as well as provide valuable input into the planning process.  For more information about Friends of the Library Australia please go to http://www.fola.org.au/

We are getting closer to our Tongala move

We have our fingers crossed that we will soon be in our new home at Tongala.  It has been quite a number of months now that we have been sharing the space with the Tongala Community Centre and Hall.  The building works are very close to completion and our 'new' library is looking very nice.  Some different colours, shelving, desk and kitchen will all contribute to a lovely environment for library users and library and customer service staff.   We will let you know as soon as we know the date that we will be open as part of the new Tongala Health Centre.  In the meantime it's business as usual.
 But before we go a huge congratulations to the Tongala Community Centre for their fabulous day last Tuesday for the `100th Anniversary of International Women's Day'  It was a pleasure to be involved and fantastic to see so many women from the district support the special event.  It sounds like it went really well and was enjoyed by all.  Well done!

Premiers' Reading Challenge 2011

Last week the Premier of Victoria officially launched the Premiers' Reading Challenge 2011.  He was supported in the launch by past Premiers of Victoria who continue to support the program.  More information about the challenge can be found at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/prc/

We have just received the revised reading list so our library team are busy making sure that we have them available for the young participants.  Please go to our online catalogue which is linked from our website to find out what titles are available. 

Congratulations to Shaun Tan

We would like to congratulate Australian author Shaun Tan for his well deserved Academy Award for Best Short Animation  for 'The Lost Thing'  Please pop into one of our libraries to have a look at the book that inspired this little Oscar win.   If you would like to find out more about the actual animation the best place to go is http://www.thelostthing.com/ 

National Year of Reading (NYOR) 2012

This week has been quite exciting due to the start of the official leadup to The National Year of Reading 2012 and the announcement that William McInnes, renowned actor/author will be the patron for this special year.  Our library service has all of William's books; A man's got to have a Hobby, Cricket Kings and That'd be right.  Many of our borrowers have thoroughly enjoyed them and have recommended them to others.  William is a warm, genuine and enthusiastic person who is very keen to support and promote the NYOR 2012.  For more information about NYOR please go to http://www.love2read.org.au/ From this website you can subscribe to an e-newsletter that will update you on all the activities and events that will be happening in the leadup and during 2012.  Spread the word that NYOR is on its way!

State Librarian Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, we wish you all the best

Today is the Chief Executive Officer and State Librarian Anne-Marie Schwirtlich's last official day at the State Library of Victoria.  After eight years Anne-Marie has decided to move to other challenges.  On behalf of the Campaspe Regional Library we would like to thank Anne-Marie for her wonderful leadership at the State Library.  During her time, incredible changes have taken place at the State Library, both physical and virtual.  Their new website is wonderful, with a magnificent range of features for all Victorians to use  http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/   The State Library is a wonderful community place that attracts hundreds of people each day to study, research and connect.  Amazing collections, exhibitions and programs are there for all people to enjoy for free.  

 Anne-Marie has been a truly fantastic support to the Public Library network, many of the initiatives and programs that we have been able to provide have had Anne-Marie's endorsement and encouragement.   She has also played key roles in national initiatives with other State Librarys and the National Library in Canberra.

Thank you Anne-Marie, we will miss your warmth, enthusiasm and friendship.  Congratulations on what you achieved at the State Library of Victoria.

February is Library Lovers Month

During February the Campaspe Regional Library is participating in the nationwide promotional campaign which is conducted by the Australian Information and Library Association.  It is a time to celebrate why people love libraries and to recognise that people come into our branches for many different reasons. 
Our library service would love to hear why you love your local library so we are running a very short 'Library Lovers' competition.  All you have to do is pick up an entry form and complete the following sentence; I love the library because..........
There will be a lovely box of chocolates to be won for the winning entry.
The competition will run until the end of the month.
For more information about the Library Lovers campaign please go to www.librarylovers.org.au

We look forward to receiving your entry.

The impact of flood at Rochester

Well, it certainly has not been one of the better weeks for our library service.  We have seen the impact of flood first hand at our branch in Rochester.  We are very fortunate in that we have not lost the collection, any furniture or computers.  But the water did come through the building, therefore requiring us to close the building for a number of weeks to bring it back to what it was.   We have packed up all our library items and they are being stored off site until we are ready to bring them back.

For our Rochester patrons who do have books at home that may be damaged, all we ask is that in the next little while when you have a moment please give us a call on 1300 666 535 and we will organise what to do over the phone.  All Rochester items have been renewed for another month to give you some breathing space and we will be working out a collection point and a temporary style of library service over the next few weeks while we work on the building.   Any items on hold will be based at Echuca Library and we will notify you when they are here. 
The Library staff have all the people in the Shire (and beyond) who have been impacted by this flood disaster in their thoughts. 
We will keep you updated on what is happening at Rochester via the Council website http://www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/

Turn off the TV and pick up a book!

The Campaspe Regional Library is proud to be one of the many Victorian library services that is participating in The Summer Read 2011 www.slv.vic.gov.au/event/summer-read-2011  In all of our branches we have the Summer Read books available for loan.  All of the novels are either written by Victorian authors or set in Victoria.  The Summer Read website has some great information about each title if you would like to find out more about them go to www.slv.vic.gov.au/node/3241  There is a great competition running in conjunction with the promotion and we thank the fabulous sponsors that have got behind the campaign.  Entry forms can be downloaded from the links included in this post, or come into the branch and pick one up.  Entries close by March 4th 2011 so there is still plenty of time to get reading and enter the draw.  Some of the library staff are busily reading the listed books as well.  The author of this post is enjoying Flying with Paper Wings by Sandy Juffs, a credit to the author who has shared her story of mental illness is such a frank way.   One of the titles that may be of interest to many is Animal Kingdom which has been made into a highly credited and award winning movie, including Jackie Weaver's recent Golden Globe nomination.  The book and movie is not for the faint hearted but very gripping all the same.   So come in and see what other titles might interest you.

Happy New Year

All the staff at the Campaspe Regional Library would like to wish library members and visitors a very Happy New Year.  We look forward to seeing you again in our branches from Tuesday 4th January.  A reminder that we have a full program of great activities for the children and we are also participating in The Summer Read.  http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/event/summer-read-2011
For all of our holiday makers in the area we extend a warm welcome to you and your family.  We have free internet access at all of our branches and free wifi hotspots at Echuca, Kyabram and Rochester.   
Even if you are not a member and need a good holiday read we have a selection of paperbacks and 'book crossing' books that you can take home without having to join the library.
See you soon
Your library team