Christmas Festivities

The big day is coming all too quickly so hope you are super organised and ready for the festive season.  Our library branches are all hosting Christmas Storytimes.  Tomorrow at 10.30am there will be a Christmas Storytime at Kyabram Branch, this Friday at Echuca, at Rochester on Tuesday 17th and Echuca two special Santa visit storytimes on Wednesday 18th at 6.30pm and Friday 20th at 10.30am.
Come along with all the family, bring the camera and enjoy listening to Christmas music and stories.
On Saturday 14th at the Echuca Branch Bella A'Cappella will be singing some Christmas music from 11.30am
It also also the Official Opening of the Port of Echuca Discovery Centre on Saturday at 11am with lots of activities throughout the day.  Our library service will be hosting a storytime session at 2.30 in the Wharf Area.
The Summer Reading Club for children has already been launched, details on our website or visit one of our branches and join the children up today.  The Summer Read, run from the State Library of Victoria, will be launched on Wednesday 18th December - some wonderful Victorian books to read again this year.
A reminder that our libraries will be closed from Christmas Eve at 3pm and re-open again on Thursday 2 January at normal opening hours.
Look forward to seeing you at one of our Christmas Events.

Special events this week

As the end of the year is getting that bit closer the library service is picking up speed with a range of wonderful events this week.
Tomorrow 23rd November at 11.30 at the Kyabram Branch Shannon Leahy will be talking about her book Your Turn, My Turn.  A book that was written by Shannon and was inspired by her three children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder.
On Sunday 24th November Warren Joel, an entertaining and very knowledgeable antique valuer will at the Echuca Branch from 11-4.30 to value the precious, quirky and old antiques that you bring along.  As it is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Library each item will cost $5 or 3 for $10.  A maximum of 3 items per person.
On Wednesday 27th November the Kenneth Jack Art Exhibition will be officially opened.  All are welcome to attend the event, commencing at 7pm.  The exhibition will be at the Campaspe Regional Library, Echuca from Wednesday 27th November until Sunday 15th December.  It will coincide with the opening of the Discovery Centre at the Port of Echuca on Saturday 14th December at 11am.  All welcome to that event too.

Kenneth Jack Art Exhibition

The Campaspe Regional Library, in partnership with the Echuca Moama Arts Initiative are proud to present the Kenneth Jack Art Exhibition from Wednesday 27 November until Sunday December 15 2013.  The exhibition will be open during library business hours at the Campaspe Regional Library, Echuca Branch. An official opening will be on Wednesday evening 27 November at 7pm.
 Kenneth Jack was a highly regarded and well known artist, his works captured Australia in various mediums.  The exhibition which is being bought to Echuca by his family will highlight his many pieces about Echuca, Murray River and many of the paddlesteamers.  The exhibition will also coincide with the opening of the Port Interpretive Centre on Saturday 14 December.  Some of his smaller works and tools of the trade will also be on display at the new centre.
All pieces will be available for sale, some of the works have never been viewed by the public before.
This is an exciting venture for the library service and we look forward to seeing you.

eSmart libraries update

The Campaspe Regional Library are currently piloting the eSmart Libraries program for the Alannah and Madeline Foundation and Telstra Corporation who are implementing the program. This week our library service caught up with the students from Tongala Primary School who are very involved in the eSmart schools program.  The e5 group who are working with their teacher Peter Tinning are fantastic ambassadors for the program and have achieved some wonderful initiatives including a terrific collection of  artwork that depict crucial eSmart messages which will be on display until the end of the year at the Tongala Library.  Congratulations to the school for their great efforts in working through the eSmart framework and we look forward to seeing them achieve eSmart status in the coming months.  The Campaspe Regional Library's eSmart Libraries program is also going along really well with a very committed workgroup who are progressing through the framework and having some great discussions about cyber safety, technology and how to be eSmart.  Please look at the library website for some important links to eSmart resources that you will find useful;  you will find them in the Internet drop down box on the home page of our website www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library
For more information about the eSmart programs go to www.esmart.org.au
Also head to www.amf.org.au to hear more about the latest addition to the eSmart package which is eSmart homes - launched just last weekend.
It's all about being Smart, Safe and Responsible

Toddler Rhymetimes, Storytimes, Baby Rhyme Times

A reminder that the library service provides weekly and/or monthly early literacy programs right throughout the year.  The full list of each program session is available from the library website www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library The sessions are all based on the premise that reading is a wonderful past time and important for each child's development, as well as being a great thing for parent and child to do together.  Depending on the age group attending the sessions are a mixture of reading, songs, finger play activities and craft.  All sessions are free and no need to book, just come along and join the fun.  Great opportunity for parents to meet new people and socialise. During the summer holidays we will continue with storytimes, as well as great holiday activities.  Keep an eye on our website for more details.

Celebrating and Protecting the Environment

This coming week the Library Service is holding two special events which focus on the wonderful environment that we live in.
Next Friday morning, 25 October at 10am the Campaspe Regional Library Echuca is hosting the launch of WICKED (Waste in Campaspe - Know, Educate, Do)  The morning proceedings will commence with the program launch at 10.15am by Mayor Clr Ian Maddison, followed by an address by Deputy Mayor Clr Greg Toll.  The library team will then conduct a special storytime based on the Waste and Environment theme.  Sheri Streilein, Environmental Project Officer - Education, Shire of Campaspe will then deliver a presentation about the WICKED program.  Light morning tea will be provided.  Please come along and hear all about this wonderful initiative while the children hear some great stories and songs about the environment.
On Sunday 27 October at 2.30pm Leigh Wright will present a talk about his experiences in the Barmah Forest.  Leigh has produced a DVD presenting an historical collection of photographs of people and places in the beautiful Barmah Forest and has co-authored two books with Nerelie Teese entitled 'The Barmah Forest in Our Blood' and 'Timber Workers of the Barmah Forest'  Come and hear Leigh talk first hand about the memories, people and events that make Barmah so special.  Bookings required, please see library website for details.

Look forward to seeing you at either or both of these events.

Successful seniors week

Campaspe Regional Library recently celebrated Victorian Seniors Festival with a number of interesting sessions from 'Upcycled Books' and 'iPad tips and tricks'.  Thanks to everyone that came along, the feedback was terrific and we hope to offer more sessions about different uses of technology in the near future.