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.

A Summer full of fun

We are so excited by the range of activities we have planned for the Summer holidays. There is something for everyone at all branches.

We are taking part in the national Summer Reading Club, the theme this year is Read on the Wild Side. Keeping in line with the theme the following activites have been organised, some have a $2 charge, otherwise they are free. All activities happen in January.

Jungle Jewellery at Kyabram Library on the 7th at 11am and Echuca Library on the 8th at 10.30am

Free Lion Mask Making at Rochester on the 7th at 2.30pm, Echuca on the 12th at 10.30am, Rushworth ont he 12th at 10.30am, Tongala on the 12th at 6.30pm and Kyabram on the 13th at 2.30pm.

Our special guests the Scientwists will be putting on Bug Safari shows at Kyabram on the 14th at 11am, Rochester on the 14th at 2.30pm and Echuca (Civic Centre) on the 15th at 11am, cost is $2 per child.

Free Anaconda Paper Craft at Echuca on the 19th at 10.30am, Rushworth on the 19th at 10.30am, Tongala on the 19th at 6.30pm and Rochester on the 21st at 2.30pm

Evening Storytime, wear your pjs and listen to jungle stories at Echuca and Kyabram on the 20th at 6.30pm

Another highlight is Leigh's Reptile show that will be appearing at Tongala on the 21st at 10.30pm, Kyabram on the 21st at 2.30pm and Echuca (Civic Centre) on the 22nd at 11am.

Wow, you would have to agree that this all sounds like alot of fun, please contact us on 1300 666 535 if you require any more information.

The Summer Reading Club is free to join and we are hoping that about 500 children will join up across the Shire, so far we have close to 400 which is just fantastic! To take part all you need to do is come into one of the branches, register and pick up your reading log. All you need to do is read 10 books by the 25th January, bring your completed log sheet in and collect a sticker, tattoo and wristband. There are prizes to be won and website activities at http://www.summerreadingclub.org.au/

Regional Library Project

This post is to advise the community that the planned Echuca Community Hub Library will not be proceeding as planned. Last evening, December 15th, Council adopted the recommendation that the IGA supermarket site will be sold and that two new proposals for a stand-alone library will be investigated. The size of the new library will now be 1300m2 which means that the Family History and Toy Library functions will not be part of the new design.
All residents are invited to provide their feedback on the two new proposals by January 29th, 2010. Feedback can be completed online at the address below or in hard copy, forms are available at all the libraries.
The two proposals are :
1. Build adjacent to the current Council offices on the corner of Hare and Heygarth St, Echuca
2. Extend the current Tourist Information Centre on Heygarth St, Echuca and relocate the Tourist Information Centre to the existing library.
All relevant documents such as the Council Report, recommendations, background information and feedback forms are available from www.campaspe.vic.gov.au