Knitting up a storm

We would like to thank all our patrons and staff for contributing to the Save the Children Fund Campaign 'Knit One Save One'
Our knitting sessions during the holidays were a big success. We also provided wool and needles at all our branches to encourage people to add a few rows while they in the library. Many of our staff have been busy knitting away as well.
If you have the time the SCF are desperately seeking volunteers to sew up the squares into rugs. They are pleased that they have exceeded their target of 80,000. At the time of writing this post they have received over 88,000 sqauares. Each 16 squares makes a rug for newborn babies. What a great idea and what a great response. The library has been very pleased to be able to support this campaign, as well as encouraging young and old to take up this terrific pastime.

Our writing events

It has been a very pleasing month with a range of writing events which have coincided with The Independent Type : Books and writing in Victoria exhibition. One week left so please take the oppportunity to view it before it moves on to the Mill Park Library. We have also had great fun with our holiday activities, more about the knitting and pom pom making in our next post. Back to the writing! We are very appreciative of Express Media for the Blogging and Zine workshop, The Victorian Writer's Centre for the Writing for younger readers workshop, to Bridiga Nailon CSB for launching her new book Encounter and also to Shane Carmody from the State Library who spoke at the launch of the exhibition. Thanks to the State Library of Victoria and the Public Library Network of Victoria for organising the travelling exhibition and for the number of sponsors that allowed it to happen, especially ABC Radio. Thanks to everyone that came along to the events, we hope that you enjoyed them.

The Independent Type Exhibition

We would like to invite one and all to our traveling exhibition "The Independent Type: Books and Writing in Victoria" which kicks off at the Echuca Library on the 26th June and runs until 25th July. The exhibition is proudly bought to you by the State Library of Victoria and is sponsored by ABC Radio. the official opening will take place on Sunday 27th June at 2.15pm. Councillor Carol Howell will officially open the exhibition,folllowed by Shane Carmody - Director of Access and Collections, SLV who will present a lively and entertaining talk about the exhibition. There are a range of other activities that are being conducted to coincide with the exhibition including a blogging/zine workshop on Wednesday June 30 from 2-4 at the Echuca Library. Aimed at ages 12+. On Wednesday 7th July, 10am local author Bridiga Nailon CSB will officially launch her new book "Encounter, the past and future of remote Kimberley". On Wednesday 14th July Nicholas Brasch will be conducting a writing workshop for people interested in writing for young people. This will be from 10.30-12.30 and will be held at the Echuca Civic Centre. Please visit the fantastic State Library of Victoria website www.slv.vic.gov.au for more information on the exhibition. Please contact the library if your would like more information about the writing workshops and/or the exhibition. 1300 666535. Look forward to seeing you.

We have gone a bit hot this week!

We are rapt to announce that free wireless internet is now available at the Echuca and Kyabram Branches. If you would like to make use of this free service, which has been provided through a Victorian State Government grant, please see the staff at these libraries. All you need is a login and password, agree to the terms of conditions of use and away you go. Next week we are also installing a new PC Management System which will allow you to book your own Library PCs from home or in the library. More information about this soon. Anyway please let your friends and family know that we have got wireless up and happening and its FREE!

Library and Information Week May 24-30, 2010

Library And Information Week May 24 – 30

View more presentations from Jenny Mustey.

Being the Best We Can

The Campaspe Regional Library Service has just completed an intensive self evaluation on three areas of its service. Today the results of this evaluation have been presented to Councillors and Senior Management. It is with much pleasure that we can announce that we have received a very strong 2 star rating from our peer reviewers. What does this mean exactly? This star rating indicates that we have a overall satisfactory provision of core library services, we have a few strengths and examples of good practice. We, however, have challenges in some areas that do have an adverse effect on some of our library users. The report includes detailed explanations of the three key result areas (KRAs) that we have evaluated, plus an detailed plan that will assist us to move forward and work on the opportunities for improvement. Campaspe has been fortunate to be one of nine libraries across the state of Victoria to pilot this program and have found it to be a very worthwhile project to work on. We intend to complete the remaining two KRAs in the next financial year. Thanks to the library team members who assisted in the evaluation and the State Library of Victoria for their project management. A job well done and now we can aspire to improving our performance.

NEC Broadband for Seniors

It is with much pleasure that we announce that we have been able to access a Federal Government initiative, via the Echuca Adult Literacy Group, to host 2 NEC Broadband for Seniors Kiosks. The kiosks are available at the Echuca Branch Library, the computers are simple to use with fast broadband access connecting users to the internet. The main aim of the kiosks is to encourage seniors (50+) in our community to become more savvy with the internet, using features like webcam and skype to connect to family and friends. Seniors who don't feel confident in using the internet are encouraged to contact Wendy O'Hara on 54821997 to arrange for free tuition. A small number of volunteers are ready and willing to assist the seniors learn more about the internet. If you would like to volunteer Wendy would also love to hear from you. The program was officially launched on the 8th April by Hon Dr Sharman Stone MHR. Please come along and see what it is all about.