Western Downs Libraries Spring Booklet 2024

WESTERN DOWNS LIBRARIES SPRING 2024

MEET THE TEAM

FRIENDLY FACES AT MILES

NEW & NOTEWORTHY FRESH NEW SPRING READS

PICTURE WESTERN DOWNS BRAND NEW PLATFORM

WHAT'S ON THIS SPRING

SUSTAINABLE GARDENING, ROBOTS, DRAMA & MORE

WELCOME FROM THE LIBRARIAN Spring symbolises new life, growth and renewal, and we're excited to introduce a host of fresh and innovative offerings at Western Downs Libraries.

Our Seed Library is flourishing with the addition of three new seed varieties.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our Seed Library is sure to inspire your green thumb.

I'm also excited to introduce a new addition to our tech spaces. Now, you can preserve your cherished memories by converting VHS tapes to USB, keeping them safe and accessible for years to come.

We're showcasing a selection of new and noteworthy books, featuring a variety of genres to suit all tastes. From gripping thrillers to heartwarming romances and insightful non-fiction, there's something for every reader to discover and enjoy.

We're launching the brand-new Picture Western Downs platform. This userfriendly update makes it easier than ever to explore our rich local history, share your knowledge and contribute your own images to the collection, ensuring our shared history continues to grow.

Our Spring programs are designed to cultivate knowledge and joy. Join our Sustainable Gardening workshops to learn about composting, worm farms, stingless bee hives, and keeping chooks. Celebrate International Lolly Day with a sweet trip down memory lane, enjoying lollies at nostalgic prices. And don't miss our jam packed school holiday programming, from Rugged Robots to Painted Pots, Gelli Printing and Seed Bombs.

This edition's First 5 Forever tip emphasises the importance of play in the early years of a child's life, and highlights the simplicity and significance of playing with children. Don't miss Trevor's Bookshelf pick, featuring a new release from a special author who recently visited our libraries!

Embrace the season of renewal and growth at Western Downs Libraries. We look forward to seeing you soon!

CHRIS BERMINGHAM LIBRARY SERVICES COORDINATOR

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WHAT'S INSIDE THE SPRING ISSUE

WHAT'S ON THIS SPRING - FOR KIDS

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FEATURED EVENTS

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ADULT WORKSHOPS

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NEW & NOTEWORTHY

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GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

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THE TECH DEN

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FIRST 5 FOREVER

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OUR BRANCHES

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STAY CONNECTED Asking a question, keen on a recommendation, or just letting us know of your ideas?

CONTACT US Email: library@wdrc.qld.gov.au Phone: 1300 COUNCIL (1300 268 624) Visit our website at westerndownslibraries.com Find us on socials at @westerndownslibraries All information in this booklet is correct at time of printing.

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WHAT'S ON THIS SPRING

FOR KIDS!

School holidays are just around the corner and we have plenty of fun activities to keep the kids entertained!

MORE THAN BOOKS | SPRING 2024

SEPTEMBER HOLIDAYS Lego Spike

Wandoan

All School Holidays

Opening Hours

Faux Stained Glass Painting

Wandoan

All School Holidays

Opening Hours

Rugged Robots

Dalby

16 September

2.30pm

DIY Hologram

Tara

16 September

3pm

Painted Pots

Bell

18 September

2pm

Lego Spikes

Tara

18 September

11am

Gelli Printing with Nature

Miles

19 September

10am

Sunshine & Seed Planting

Chinchilla

19 September

10am

Bee Bots

Dalby

23 September

9.30am 10.30am

Seed Bombs

Tara

23 September

3pm

Egg Carton Painting

Jandowae

24 September

10am

Melty Beads

Miles

24 September

10am

Let's Explore Sphero's

Dalby

25 September

10am

Colourful Threads Weaving

Chinchilla

26 September

10am

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WORKSHOPS FOR TEENS Beaded Bonsai Tree Art

Jandowae

18 September

10am

Macrame Hangers

Bell

19 September

10am

Gelli Plate Printing

Dalby

24 September

2pm

Let's Explore Spheros

Dalby

25 September

10am

After-School Activities Junior Book Club Grades 3-6

Chinchilla

Second Monday of each month

3.30pm

Youth Writing Group

Tara

Last Monday of each month

3pm

Junior Book Club Prep - Grade 2

Chinchilla

Fourth Monday of each month

3.30pm

Miss Skyla's Drama School

Chinchilla

18 & 19 November 25 & 26 November 2 & 3 December

3.30pm

International Lolly Day Enjoy a sweet trip down memory lane with lollies sold at nostalgic prices. Freckles for one cent, chocolate bullets for two cents, and toffee apples for five cents!

Bring your change and indulge in a delightful selection. As you savour these treats, view our Picture Western Downs collection on it's brand new platform.

The collection features hundred of historic photographs of our region.

Miles Historical Village

Monday 4 November HEAD TO PAGE 8 FOR OUR SPRING ADULT ACTIVITIES!

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10am

FEATURE EVENTS GELLI PRINTING

SUSTAINABLE GARDENING: WORMS, BEES AND CHICKENS

Gelli plate printing is a creative and exciting art form that allows you to explore your artistic skills and create unique and abstract prints. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, Gelli Printing offers endless possibilities for inspiration and creativity.

Miles Dalby

19 September 24 September

Join us for engaging and informative gardening presentations by Companion Planting, focusing on keeping worm farms, stingless bee hives, and chickens. Take a closer look at a working stingless beehive with an observation panel, a working worm farm and various plants.

10am 2pm

Participants also have the opportunity to purchase their own composting worms or plants to take home and get started!

MORE THAN BOOKS | SPRING 2024

Wandoan Meandarra Miles Tara Moonie Bell

HEAD TO PAGE 3 FOR KIDS AND PAGE 8 FOR ADULT ACTIVITIES!

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4 November 1.30pm 5 November 10.30am 5 November 2.30pm 6 November 9.30am 6 November 1pm 7 November 10am

MISS SKYLA'S DRAMA SCHOOL Step into the world of theatre production at Chinchilla Library!

MEMORY RESCUE Preserve your cherished VHS memories with our new digital conversion service at Western Downs Libraries.

Dive into the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk across six engaging sessions spread over three weeks.

From learning your lines and exploring behind-the-scene secrets to crafting costumes, programs, and sets, you'll be immersed in the creative process.

Dalby Library is hosting a week-long launch event, featuring step-by-step training on transferring VHS content to USB drives. Ensure you precious moments are safeguarded for future generations.

Dalby

Cap it all off with a special performance where you can showcase your efforts to proud parents and friends.

7-11 October 9.30-11.30am

Chinchilla 18 November-3 December

YOUTH WRITING Calling all aspiring writers! Dive into the world of storytelling at our Youth Writing Group, presented in collaboration with Queensland Writers Centre.

Wedding

Held the last Monday of every month, Tara Library becomes a hive of creativity and inspiration.

Tara

30 September

3pm 6

Day

Learn something new with some help from Western Downs Libraries!

ADULT WORKSHOPS

SEPTEMBER Game Mania

Tara

Every Second Monday

10am

Polymer Clay Earrings

Tara

11 September

1.30pm

Painting with Acrylics

Meandarra

12 September

10.30am

Cricut Keyrings

Chinchilla

12 September

10am & 10.30am

Beaded Bonsai Art

Jandowae

18 September

10am

Preserve your VHS Tapes

Dalby

8 October

9.30am

Blue Lease on Life Pendants

Tara

9 October

2pm

Gem Art Rainbows

Meandarra

10 October

10.30am

Strainer Flowers Garden Art

Jandowae

16 October

10am

Mini Macrame Wall Hanging

Chinchilla

21 October

2pm

Paper Lanterns

Tara

6 November

2pm

Mosaic Christmas Craft

Meandarra

14 November

10.30am

Soy Wax Candle Making

Jandowae

20 November

10am

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

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NEW & NOTEWORTHY BACK TO BIRDSVILLE BY FIONA McARTHUR Capturing all the colour and heart of the famous Birdsville races, this uniquely Australian romance celebrates women who are always there for each other, the caring side of men, and the challenges and optimism of remote families.

MORE THAN BOOKS | SPRING 2024

THE LAST TRACE BY PETRONELLA McGOVERN Family. It means everything to Sheridan. Her brother Lachy is finally home in Australia and she's excited about Easter with him and their nephew. But when a traumatic incident tears the families apart, she blames him. Lachy knows he's not coping right now but his sister doesn't have the full story. And nor does he. To untangle the truth he must decide who he can trust.

WATERCOLOR YOUR WAY BY SARAH CRAY Whether you're dipping your toe in to watercolours, cannon-balling in, or honing your craft - this book is for you. Presented in four chapters that each focus on a specific technique, palette and set of projects, Watercolor Your Way meets artists at their current level so they can enjoy the process as they build skills.

THE FALL GUY (DVD) He's a stuntman, and like everyone in the stunt community, he gets blown up, shot, crashed, thrown through windows and dropped from the highest heights, all for our entertainment. And now, this working-class hero has to track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life while still doing his day job. What could possibly go right?

STAF F LOVE! THE OTHER BRIDGET BY RACHEL JOHNS I couldn't put this book down once I started reading!

Bridget Jones his a hopeless romantic but her love life is dismal. She resorts to dating sites where she is matched with dull, boring, and cheating men. Convinced she will die an old maid, Bridget's romantic prospects seem bleak.

However, the new neighbour has moved in and he is a mystery man. Keeping to himself, he comes and goes at all hours, the oddest thing is - he is teaching himself to learn the bagpipes.

REBEL RISING: A MEMOIR BY REBEL WILSON For decades, Rebel Wilson had single-mindedly focused on her career, making a name for herself through her iconic roles.

Now, she's ready to chronicle the emotional and physical lessons she learned, as well as her most embarrassing experiences. This memoir shows us how to love ourselves while making us laugh uncontrollably.

THE FAKE OUT BY STEPHANIE ARCHER The best way to get back at my horrible ex? Fake date Rory Miller - my ex's rival, the top scorer in pro hockey, and the arrogant, flirtatious hockey player I tutored in high school. Faking it is fun and addictive, though, and beneath the bad boy swagger, Rory's sweet, funny and protective. But now I wonder if Rory was ever faking it to begin with.

DARK MATTER BY BLAKE CROUCH Now a TV mini series!

A mind-bending, relentlessly paced science-fiction thriller, in which a ordinary man is kidnapped, knocked unconscious and awakens in a world inexplicably different form the reality he thought he knew.

JOIN A BOOKCLUB NEAR YOU! VISIT:

WESTERNDOWNSLIBRARIES.COM/BOOKCLUB

GET TO KNOW YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

MILES LIBRARY Housed in the multi-purpose facility of Dogwood Crossing, Miles Library has much to offer: monthly Bookclubs, weekly Storytime for Toddlers sessions and school holiday activities. They have a lovely little nook for anyone to use for work or study as well as a nonfiction Art and Design Collection.

Like the rest of our branches, Miles Library provides an extensive collection of physical and digital resources for learning and enjoyment.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SERVICE MILES LIBRARY OFFERS? Making an early connection between children and reading is super important so I think Storytimes are very beneficial to our communities

MORE THAN BOOKS | SPRING 2024

Let's hear more about Miles Library, from Krissy.

WHY DO YOU LOVE YOUR JOB? I thrive on customer interactions and engaging with the public! It's very rewarding connecting with a diverse range of people. It's great fun being able to deliver programs to the community and seeing all ages enjoying them.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOB...

You'll find me in Dogwood Crossing, a beautiful space that houses Miles Library and Art Gallery, delivering a public program like our Toddler Storytime or even helping people with Council or Library related customer inquiries at the front counter.

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED IN LIBRARIES? I've worked as a casual library staff member since September 2023. In March 2024 I started a full-time position being the person to go to for all customer service inquiries with a side of all thing's Library!

BOOK RECOMMENDATION "Who Gets to be Smart" by Bri Lee. I found this book to be a thoughtprovoking analysis of the challenges faced by disadvantaged groups in pursuit of academic success. It sheds light on the disparities present in the education system, it's a good read for

KRISSY

those interested in social justice and education reform. This is a great read our libraries has had in the book club circulation.

Visit Miles Library today and immerse yourself in a world of ideas, creativity, and connection.

Discover the wonders that await within its walls and experience firsthand how this cultural cornerstone enriches the lives of those it serves.

CLAUDIA

THE TECH DEN Our libraries offer many different types of technology products and services for our members to explore and enjoy. From the cutting edge tech available in our Makerspaces to Virtual Reality and STEM Workshops, there's something to tickle the fancy of every technoid.

MEMORY RESCUE! Preserve cherished memories stored on VHS tapes by converting them to digital files in our libraries. This new service allows our members to transfer their VHS content onto USB drives, ensuring these valuable moments are safeguarded for future generations. Free, step-by-step training is provided.

Why is now the perfect time to digitise your VHS tapes? VHS tapes, which rely on magnetic charges to store information, are prone to deterioration.

Factors like heat, humidity, and magnetic fields can accelerate this.

VHS tapes continuously loose quality over 10-25 years, with significant deterioration expected around 2025. This makes it essential to transfer your tapes to a more stable digital format before the content is lost forever.

Take advantage of this opportunity at Western Downs Libraries and keep your memories alive for years to come. Contact your local branch for more information.

Wedding

Day

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FIRST 5 FOREVER

WAYS TO PLAY

"Play is the work of children." While it looks like fun, play is essential for learning - using words, solving problems, imagining, practicing new skills, and learning how to learn.

MORE THAN BOOKS | SPRING 2024

From birth, children instinctively want to play. Their brains are wired for interaction and exploration. When children play with important adults, they thrive.

Play doesn't need expensive toys.

Play can be as simple as tickling toes, singing songs, or taking a walk.

Enhance learning by talking about what you're doing, asking questions, adding playful challenges, and encouraging them .

Creativity: Children love creating, drawing, storytelling and inventing.

Teach them to use tools like sticky tape, shovels, pegs, and scissors.

Make signs, write pretend notes, or draw cards. Scribble, draw, paint and play with language.

Senses: Explore the world by talking about what they see, feel, or hear.

Ask questions like "How does it feel?" or "what sounds does it make?'"Use descriptive words like cold, fluffy, and rough to build vocabulary.

Problem Solving: Watching your child master new skills through play is a joy. Problem-solving shapes brain development and learning potential.

Focus on the process, where all the learning happens.

For more tips, visit a First 5 Forever Storytime session at your local library.

JOIN A STORYTIME NEAR YOU! VISIT

WESTERNDOWNSLIBRARIES.COM/STORYTIME

TREVOR'S BOOKSHELF Trevor the Library Dog has an impressive bookshelf — and he has pawsome picks for spring!

SLOTHS LOVE PARTIES BY RORY H. MATHER Sloths LOVE to sleep. But do you know what else they love? PARTIES. Put on your dancing shoes and join Marty the sloth for the grooviest celebrations the rainforest has ever seen. Just don't forget to bring your PJs.

STORYTIME STARS Storytime Stars is our early literacy initiative for children aged 0-5 years.

Attend five Storytime or Babytime sessions and receive a free goodie bag filled with fun!

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GET SOCIAL Hang out with us on Facebook and Instagram!

Stay up to date with the hottest new releases, be the first to know of exciting new events, and have a laugh at our ultra-funny memes.

@westerndownslibraries

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OUR BRANCHES BELL LIBRARY

MOONIE LIBRARY

CHINCHILLA LIBRARY

TARA LIBRARY

DALBY LIBRARY

WANDOAN LIBRARY

Leichhardt Highway Moonie 4406 07 4665 0189

71 Maxwell Street Bell 4408 07 4663 1113

31 Day Street Tara 4421 07 4678 7881

80-86 Heeney Street Chinchilla 4413 07 4660 7270

6 Henderson Road Wandoan 4419 07 4558 3045

Level 1, 69 Drayton Street Dalby 4405 07 4679 4474

JANDOWAE LIBRARY 22 George Street Jandowae 4410 07 4668 4480

MEANDARRA LIBRARY Sara Street Meandarra 4422 07 4665 6147

MILES LIBRARY

Dogwood Crossing, Miles 81 Murilla Street Miles 4415 07 4628 5330

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DISCOVER MORE AT WESTERNDOWNSLIBRARIES.COM