Awesome holiday fun

It is hard to know where to start, we have been so busy in our branches since we reopened on the 5th and we can't believe the holidays are nearly over. There has been some great things happening for the children since the first week, we have had scrapbooking and collage workshops with Lynne Hume, painting workshops with Paul Gamble, Digital storytelling and podcasting with Daryll Bellingham (all of these stories are on the Austory blog which is linked on our homepage) and last night our special guest Summer Read author Steven Conte spoke at Radcliffes in Echuca. There is still more to come with all branches running game sessions this coming week, as well as a twilight storytime at Kyabram. We have also launched our bookcrossing zones at all our branches, for more information about that go to http://www.bookcrossing.com/ As well as all those activities our new Kyabram branch building works are well underway and we will moving in there in a few weeks time. And the plans for the new Echuca Library are available at the site, as well as the current Echuca Branch and Echuca Council Offices. We are in the detailed design phase which is getting very exciting, so hopefully this time next year we will be getting closer to moving in to the Echuca Community Hub Library.

We look forward to sharing more news about our great library service over the coming months.

But for now can we say a big thankyou to everyone for suppporting our holiday activities.

Christmas Greetings

It is hard to believe that it really is that time of the year for Christmas storytimes and holiday activities. We have had a very busy few weeks leading up to out short break. All our library branches will be closed from today until Monday January 5 2009. After hours return chutes are available at all branches during this time. When we return we are launching right into a great range of Summer Read activities for children and adults. Most activities are free but do require booking in. Highlights over the summer holidays include hosting our Summer Read author Stephen Conte on January 15 at Radcliffes. We are also conducting art workshops with local artists so children from our Shire can send their artwork over to our sister city Shiroi. We currently have a range of artwork from Shiroi being displayed in our libraries. We also have special guest Darryl Bellingham all the way from Queensland to take us on digital storytelling journeys. There is also scrapbooking, games, twilight storytimes and lots of prizes to be won. This is a great time of the year so come along and join in. All details about the Summer Reading Club are on our website. We have a number of storytimes over the last few weeks so we have included a few photos. Look forward to posting some more blogs for you in 2009.

Regards, the Campaspe Regional Library team

Library Building Developments

Exciting times for Campaspe Regional Library Service. We have two building projects on the go at the moment and it is definitely time for an update. At Kyabram we are moving along nicely, fine tuning the plan, ordering shelving, choosing colour schemes and designing our new desk. It looks like the new Kyabram Library which will be located at Lake Road at the Shire of Campaspe Customer Service Centre will be opening early in 2009. We were very happy that the State Government has provided Living Libraries funding of $93,500 for this project to proceed. A plan of the new library is now available to be viewed at the current library in Allan Street. We will also make one available asap at the Lake Road site.

The Echuca Community Hub project has now moved into the detailed design phase after Council has confirmed it will go ahead with the preferred design, despite the higher than expected cost. Council officers will now seek extra funding from either federal or other potential sources. As part of this exciting project Council recently secured the adjacent laneway which will be incorporated into the design to provide the desired access and alfresco dining area for the proposed cafe. The preferred design is available for viewing at the Echuca Customer Service Centre, Heygarth St, Echuca, the Echuca Library on High St and the Anstruther St site where it is all going to happen within the next twelve months. We cant wait for both projects to be completed to provide our Kyabram and Echuca communities with improved library facilities.

Summer Reading Kicks off

The Campaspe Regional Library are excited about being involved in the State Library of Victoria's Summer Read Program. We are thrilled to announce that we have secured a very special author for a guest appearance on January 15th at Radcliffes. Steven Conte, who wrote the Zookeeper's War and won the inaugral Prime Minister's Literary Prize for doing so, will be visiting Echuca as part of the Summer Read program. As well as author visits across the state, people can vote for their favourite book from the Summer Read list and be in the running to win one of five vouchers for accommodation at a Best Western Hotel, or a pack of all 20 Summer Read books, a Sovereign Hill Ticket package, 12 mini libraries of five Victorian books and 15 $100 book vouchers. Prizes will be drawn at the State Library on March 20th 2009, voting closes on Feb 28, 2009. Last Friday three of our library staff attended the official launch of the Summer Read where we caught up with Alan Brough (actor and bookworm...and of Spicks and Specks fame). Alan is the ambassador for the Summer Read program. For more info about all the books and author visits please go to www.slv.vic.gov.au/goto/summer We will have more information about the author visit soon. We will have all the books on the Summer Read list so get reading and voting.

Spend a night with us at the movies

Next Thursday night at 7pm the Library service is hosting the Echuca premier of Nights in Rodanthe at the Echuca Paramount Theatre. The movie stars Richard Gere and Diane Lane and is based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks. Tickets are available at all of our branches, cost is $17 and includes a delicious supper after the movie. Please come along, relax and enjoy a great night out. Any proceeds of the night will go towards purchasing new items for the Campaspe Library Service.

The official movie website is http://nightsinrodanthe.warnerbros.com/ so if would like to know more about it please click on that link.

Please ring us on 1300 666 535 for more information

Family Play Day 2008

Next Friday 24th October from 10am - 1pm we are taking part in the Family Play Day at Rochester to celebrate Children's Week. This is a free event supported by the Campaspe Early Childhood Network. Our Library Children's Services Coordinator Linda will be having storytime sessions during the morning. There will be plenty of other free activities for 0-6 year olds including skittles, balls and balloons, play dough, sensory play, water play, collage. The setting at the Rotary Park lends itself to plenty of play space for the children. Come along, support this free event, have a picnic lunch. Have fun with your children. If you require further info about the Play Day please contact Bernadette on 5481 2239 or Michelle 5481 2260 at the Shire of Campaspe. Look forward to seeing you there!

Be Eye Wise Avoid Glaucoma Blindness

After a very successful school holiday program and visit from author and Model T expert John Duncan (it's been a great week in the Shire with all the beautiful Model T Fords here) we are now gearing up for the Victorian Seniors Festival. We have joined forces with the Glaucoma Australia who will be visiting each branch next week to conduct free talks about Glaucoma. Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye diseases in which the optic nerve at the back of the eye is slowly and permanently destroyed. If you need to know more about the condition please come along to one of the sessions or go to http://www.glaucoma.org.au/ for more information.

The free sessions are as follows, please contact Karen on 5482 1997 if you require further information.

Tongala Library, Mangan Street, Thursday October 9, 10am

Kyabram Library, Allan St, Thursday October 9, 12pm

Rushworth Library, High St, Thursday October 9, 2.30pm

Echuca Library - will be held at the Shire Function Room, Heygarth St, Thursday October 9, 7 pm and Friday October 10, 10.30am

Rochester Library, Mackay Street, Friday October 10, 2.30pm

Each seminar will be conducted by Catia Sicari from Glaucoma Australia

Join us - Be Eye Wise Avoid Glaucoma Blindness