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

Merry Christmas to all

The library staff at the Campaspe Regional Library would like to wish all our patrons the very best for the festive season.  We hope that you enjoy time with family and friends, stay safe on our roads and celebrate the New Year with lots of fun and laughter.  

Our staff will be having a bit of a break over the Christmas period - all our libraries will be closed from tomorrow (Christmas Eve) at 12pm and re-open from the 4th January 2011.  All after-hours chutes will be available for returning items during this time. 
We look forward to welcoming you back in January to a jam packed month of activities including the Summer Read and the Scare Up a Good Book Summer Reading Club for the children.  There will be plenty to do during January so keep your eye on our library website for all the details.
Thank you for your patronage this year, 2010 has been a busy one for us and we look forward to completing our new library in Tongala in March and commencing construction on the Echuca Library mid way through the year.   Very exciting times for us and you.
Take care and all the very best.
Merry Christmas

Many many thanks to all our wonderful library volunteers

This morning we held a morning tea in Echuca to say thankyou to all our fantastically generous and lovely volunteers.  The theme of the morning had a Japanese feel as we were able to view the beautiful art work from our Sister City in Shiroi Japan.  Children from our Shire exchange art twice a year and it is always good to find the right opportunity to display their work which is of an incredibly high standard.  We also invited one of our Council staff and one of our Councillors to speak about their experience in Shiroi when they visited last year as part of the annual delegation.  It was great to see their pictures and hear their impressions and stories about the food and culture of Japan. 
The emphasis of the morning was to say a huge thankyou to our many volunteers who assist us with Books on Wheels, Words on Wheels, Library branches, Library depots, Adult literacy tutoring, Broadband for Seniors tutoring and Friends of the Library @ Kyabram and Echuca.
We wish all our volunteers the very best for the festive season

Christmas storytimes and celebrations

Over the next couple of weeks we have a number of Christmas storytimes at our branches.  This morning we held a story and craft session at Kyabram and on this coming Wednesday night at Kyabram we will having a family storytime with a visit from Santa at 6pm.  The other special storytimes are tomorrow, Saturday December 11th, at the Echuca Branch at 10.30am.  Santa will be visiting this session, as well as on Friday 17th December at 10.30am.  Rochester Library is having a Christmas story and craft session on Tuesday 21st December at 10.30am, and Rushworth's is on this coming Thursday16th December at 10.30am  Please check with branch staff for more details.

On Friday 17th December we are also hosting a special morning tea to say a big thank you to all our wonderful volunteers that have assisted the library throughout the year.  This will be held at the Echuca Civic Centre Function room from 10.30am.  We do really appreciate the efforts of many people who help out with Books on Wheels, Words on Wheels, Library Branches and Depots and our Friends of the Library members.   For more information about the Volunteers Christmas Celebration morning tea please contact Valerie Hansen on 54821997.

International Day of people with a disability

Today is a very important day in the world calendar of events, it is International Day of people with a Disability.  Our branch librarian from Echuca will be heading to the Echuca Special School this morning to join in the celebrations.  Many clients from Murray Human Services and students from the Echuca Special School are also attending the "All Abilities" celebration in Echuca this morning.   
A celebration of people with "all abilities" will be undertaken in the beautiful Hopwood Gardens park. The day will consist of Harley rides, music, Zumba dance demonstration and a barbecue and many other activities.   The event is free and starts at 10am
 
For more information about the International Day of people with a Disability please go to http://www.idpwd.com.au/