As the National Year of Reading (NYR) draws to a close, I’m reflecting on the
wonderfully warm receptions I’ve received in libraries in recent weeks. I’ve
said it before and I’ll keep saying it, in another life I’d be a librarian
because of the inspiring environments in which they get to work every day, and
also because increasingly libraries are becoming thriving community hubs for
all their locals.
Today I just want to give
shout-outs of gratitude to five libraries that overwhelmed me with their
programs, collections, and locals who came along to events when I visited. I’ve
done this alphabetically so there's no bias, because I loved
each and every visit.
Campsie
Library
I’d never been to Campsie Library before my recent visit, and what a hub of activity it proved to be on a Wednesday
night when the gorgeous Debra Adelaide (pictured with me above) and I went
along to celebrate the NYR. It was great to see such a community-centre feel
with groups of kids doing homework, adultsreading newspapers in a range of
languages and a vibrant group of readers there to talk books and writing.
Thank you to Paula Pfoeffer Library Coordinator
who brought together the library’s Big Book Group for the night.
Cowra
Library
It’s hard to believe that right in the heart of
Wiradjuri country is Cowra Library and this year was the first time I actually visited it. During my week
there reading to the kids at Yalbillinga
as part of the Read With Me
program, and running workshops with the students at Mulyan Public School, I
managed an evening with the some literature-loving locals – which was also a
blessing given it was stifling outside. Another great reason to hang out in
libraries I reckon.
Big thanks to library staff for coordinating the
visit and to Cowra Newsagency (above) for stocking my books. There’s something special
about being back on country, sharing stories and enjoying the hospitality and
support of locals.
Kogarah
Library
It wasn’t my first visit to Kogarah Library but I’m glad I got there this year because the entrance of the venue has a
fantastic installation of books – not just books on shelves, but books forming
chairs (how cool is that pic above?), books hanging from the ceilings, books with words literally being
lifted off the page. Here’s a couple of pics above and below, but I do
recommend you get out there soonish and check it the work for yourselves.
Big thanks to Linda Heald Coordinator,
Collection & Cultural Services Team for the invitation and for hosting
another fabulous group of readers who came along to hear about why I wrote Am I Black Enough for You? And again,
thanks to – thank you to Miranda Fair Booksellers
Tamworth Library
Yes, I know when we think of
Tamworth we think of the Country Music Festival, and to be honest I was hoping to see some boot
scooting along the main street while I was there. Alas, there were no fringes
or cowboys in sight, but I did have a great coffee and cake at Addimi Expresso with local blogger Emma Gardiner who authors She Goes.
There’s also plenty
of other culture in the city aside from music, as proven by the ‘Maria’s Class: Tamworth Community College Art
Students’ exhibition that I viewed at the Tamworth Regional Gallery.
But of course the highlight
of the visit was my time at Tamworth City Library
Where no less than 70 people
came along on a Saturday afternoon to share in the story of Am I Black Enough for You?
Buckets of gratitude to Megan Pitt, Reader
Services Librarian for coordinating, chauffeuring and being the perfect host
for my visit.
Wodonga
Library
Wow, wow, wow Wodonga. Not only did the town put
on a stunning summer’s day for me but the library also introduced me to a new
group of budding Australian writers. I ran a creative writing workshop with the
Young Writers Group, which I’m told, started as a one-off event to coincide
with National Young Writers Month as run by Express Media. There was apparently such a positive response from the teens that attended,
that the request was made that the library host a regular group.
Wodonga Library
now hosts a fortnightly meet-up for high-school students with an interest in
creative writing. Everyone involved is encouraged to share their work and
socialise around the shared interest of writing. And the Young Writers are
informed about the writing opportunities open to them both locally and
nationally, as well as having resources and inspiration available for them to
borrow- such as Voiceworks magazine.
I got a small taste of the talent in the group
and for that I am grateful (see how focused they were in pic above!).
Afterwards I had an absolute ball talking to
locals – mostly readers and a few closet poets I’m sure – about my writing
career and researching techniques. I also tried to recruit a couple of young
women as ‘research assistants’ to head out with me that night, but no such
luck!
I’m a huge fan of Heidi Stabb, Wodonga Library coordinator community and customer
service for her efforts in bringing us all together that day /night, and I do
hope to be able to return in the not too distant future. There’s a fabulous
outdoor cinema experience to be had in the square near the library and quite
frankly, I want to be part of whatever is going on there!
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