Beat the chill with our winter warmers!! 🙌

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Read online

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Hello and welcome to our mid-winter newsletter!

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The cold days are a good time to curl up with a good book, hear the stories behind the words at our author talks, or learn a new skill. At Realm, we will be holding a special book chat devoted to the Scandinavian concept of hygge - that feeling of cosiness that comes when you are warm inside, while outside it is cold and dark. You can share your reading highlights through the Warm Winter Read program running in libraries throughout Victoria.

The School Holiday Program has started, and the next two weeks are packed with activities for preschool and primary school aged children. Teenagers have not been forgotten, with appearances by young adult author James Phelan at Bayswater, Boronia, Knox | Ngarrgoo, and Rowville.

Back in July 1984, a new library opened in Mooroolbark. It was built from the same brown brick that dominated the suburb. Now the library walls have been transformed by vibrant images of local wildlife and significant indigenous ancestors and we are celebrating its 40th birthday. Everyone is welcome to join us for a journey into the past and piece of birthday cake. Happy birthday, Mooroolbark!

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Winter school holiday fun has arrived!

Join us for loads of fun activities at Your Library during the school holidays!

Visit us during opening hours for activity tables, craft tables or scavenger hunts at every branch. No need to book!

Missed out on the event of your choice? Add your name to the waiting list and we'll be sure to let you know if a space becomes available.

We can't wait to see you!

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Work with us!
Apply for our Team Leader positions at Belgrave & Yarra Junction libraries

We are looking for natural born leaders to head the teams at Belgrave and Yarra Junction Libraries.

You must enjoy managing teams that deliver excellent customer service with dignity, equality, and mutual respect.

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View the position description and conditions of employment on our website.

Applications close 5pm, Sunday 7 July 2024, and should be sent to: [email protected].

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Become a comic-strip creator... at a shopping centre!

Your Library’s travelling comic writer, Sabina Wills, will show you how to write your own funny comic strip. Anyone can have a go. You'll even have the chance to be part of a comic book compilation that you can pick up at Your Library.

No need to book - just find the pop-up comic making stations and start creating! We'll be at Boronia Mall, Ferntree Plaza, Mountain High Shopping Centre, Knox Westfield and Wellington Village.

Presented as part of Immerse 2024.

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Explore Immerse local creations

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FOR READERS + WRITERS

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Young Adult author, James Phelan, is coming to Your Library to share his passion for storytelling!

Join James at these awesome FREE events (For ages 11-19). Bookings essential!

Meet James
11am-12pm, Friday 5 July at Boronia Library

Exploring Thrillers
2pm-3pm, Friday 5 July at Knox Library - Ngarrgoo

Writing Workshop
11am-12pm, Friday 12 July at Bayswater Library

Editing Your Writing
2pm-3pm, Friday 12 July
at Rowville Library

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Food for books: a special collectors' book sale

Mon 15 - Fri 19 July, 10am-5pm + Sat 20 July, 10am-12pm, Boronia Library

Join us for a special sale of out of print books! There will be lots of non-fiction, including history, art and quirky topics, plus, some fiction, sure to bring back memories. Bookings not required.
As part of a fundraiser for Knox Infolink, please swap groceries for books, including:
1L long-life milk, pasta sauce, 2 minute noodles, baked beans, tinned spaghetti, jam, muesli bars, juice boxes, tuna, cup of soup packs, jelly/fruit cups, cans of fruit, and sweet biscuits (pasta is not needed).

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Meet the author:
David Eastham

Sat 20 July, 10:30am, Belgrave Library
David Eastham was in his late 20s when he experienced a significant mental breakdown. At the time, David had been a strong achiever in all areas of his personal and professional life and this breakdown came out of the blue. In retrospect, however, David can identify the red flags that indicated his mental health was deteriorating. In relatable, easy-going prose, he provides an open, personal account of his mental breakdown while detailing his road to recovery. Having benefited from photography as a therapeutic tool, he sets out to equip readers with practical and accessible knowledge to help them take charge of their wellbeing through photography as a creative outlet. (FREE) Bookings required

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Aboriginal Victorians:
Billibellary's different courage

Wed, 24 July, 2pm-3pm, Croydon Library

Richard Broome AM, president of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, presents the story of Billibellary, a Wurundjeri Elder of the 1830s and 1840s, and an influential and important ngurungaeta, or spokesman, for the Wurundjeri–willum people at the time of the first European settlement of Melbourne. (FREE) Bookings required

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Meet the author:
Lucy Treloar

Sat 27 July, 11am-12pm, Belgrave Library
Join us to celebrate Lucy Treloar’s latest novel, Days of Innocence and Wonder. Lucy is a prize winning novelist whose previous work was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award and the UK's Walter Scott Prize. Her new novel follows the journey of Till, traumatised by the dramatic abduction of her childhood friend, and struggling to deal with the long shadow it has cast over her life. (FREE) Bookings required

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JULY HIGHLIGHTS

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Cosy mid-winter
at Realm Library

Want to snuggle up and get cosy this Winter? Join us at Realm Library, grab a hot chocolate, and settle in for a Christmas (in July) themed movie matinee, at 1pm on Thu 18 July, or pull on your fluffy socks, grab a tasty treat, and snuggle up in a blanket, for our special Hygge bookchat, at 2pm on Wed 24 July. (FREE) Bookings required

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Creative Connections Art Workshops

Wed 10, 17 + 24 July, + Sat 3 August, 10:30am-11:30am, Montrose Library
Join Denise for a workshop focusing on building social connection through play and curiosity. There is no better way to improve mental health and wellbeing than via social interaction. Learn about yourself and your relationships with others. Make new acquaintances and get ready for friendships to blossom. (FREE) Bookings required

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Tech Basics

Need help with your new device or just want to learn something new? Join us this month for some great tech workshops.

Libby & BorrowBox
Fri 19 July, 10am, Croydon Library

Getting to know your Android tablet
Thu 25 July, 2pm, Realm Library

(FREE) Bookings required

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Grand piano open mic in the parlour

Tue 16 July, 4pm-6pm (adults)
Tue 23 July, 4pm-6pm (children + teens)
Miller's Homestead
As part of our 'Immersed in Music' month, we invite you to share your favourite piano music on our grand piano (with or without vocals), with an audience of fellow pianists and lovers of the piano. (FREE) Bookings required

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Mooroolbark Library turns 40!

Thu 25 July, 1:30pm-3pm
Mooroolbark Library
Come along and celebrate Mooroolbark Library's 40th Birthday! This celebration will feature photos from the library's history, memories from staff and borrowers, and - most importantly - a complimentary afternoon tea for all. We would love to see you there to celebrate memories from the last 40 years, as we look forward to all that the library will continue to achieve in the future. Bookings not required.

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Electric Vehicles: everything you need to know

Thu 18 July, 6pm-7pm
Knox Library|Ngarrgoo
Bryce Gaton from EV Choice will explain everything you need to know about owning an Electric Vehicle (EV). Topics covered will include EV technologies, EV charging and current (and soon to come) Australian options for buying new and second-hand battery electric vehicles and reliable sources of information about them. He will also touch on the coming emissions and fuel economy standards - and how in the near future these might revolutionise EV buying choices in Australia. (FREE) Bookings required

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The wondrous world of miniatures

Mon 29 July, 2pm-3pm, Healesville Library
Back by popular demand! Karen Barnes from VAME - Victorian Association of Miniature Enthusiasts, will share information about the history of miniatures, the history of the doll house, collecting miniatures, and the different scales used.
She will also share how you can start making your own miniatures. Bookings not required. (FREE)

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Superannuation and downsizing your home with Services Australia

Wed 31 July, 11am-12pm, Lilydale Library
Join us to learn about:

• Super contribution limits
• Services Australia assessment of superannuation
• Downsizer contributions to superannuation
• Taxation of super
• Access to super
• Selling your home and Services Australia assessment
• Retirement and lifestyle village assessment (FREE) Bookings required

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Browse more events

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SUSTAINABLE LIVING

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Sustainability drop in sessions

Wed 10 July, 5pm-7pm + Tue 30 July, 11am-4pm, Lilydale Library

Thu 25 July, 11am-1pm, Yarra Junction Library

Got sustainability queries? Curious about a $1000 rebate on heat pumps or hot water systems through Solar Savers? Want to electrify your home for a clean energy future? Swing by and chat with the Sustainability Team from Yarra Ranges Council at our library pop-in sessions. Bookings not required.

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Urban Nanna:
Buy right for a low-waste future

Tue 16 July, 1:30pm-3pm, Knox Library|Ngarrgoo + online via Zoom

Join Anna, The Urban Nanna, for a face-to-face or online presentation, to learn about small and slow solutions to reduce your waste output by making informed decisions when you shop. There will be practical visual examples of how to buy, store and use different household consumables, a “shopping audit” template to assist you in making future decisions, and information about site-specific local providers who offer low-waste alternatives to your shopping needs. (FREE) Bookings required

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Wondrous weeds:
an unloved resource

Sat 27 July, 11am-12pm

Ferntree Gully Library
Join an expert from Sustainable Gardening Australia for this workshop on sustainable weed control, and using chemicals as a last resort. In this community workshop, we will learn how to identify and control weeds using an integrated approach that minimises negative impacts on the environment, as well as discover how to unlock the nutrients weeds contain to fertilise the garden and feed ourselves. (FREE) Bookings required

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