Celebrate a month of A-MAY-ZING events!🎉

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Your Library's May newsletter

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Hello and welcome!

The days are getting shorter. The weather is getting cooler. Winter is coming!

Could there be a better time to head to your local library for an experience that might invigorate your brain, warm your heart, or fire up your imagination?

As always, we have an exciting program of events at every location, including the much-anticipated Biggest Morning Tea this year returning to the Bayswater, Ferntree Gully, Mooroolbark and Rowville libraries.

We hope you can join us for a cup of tea and a sweet treat, and give your support to the Cancer Council, at the same time.

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It's nearly time for the Biggest Morning Tea!

Join the friendly library team for a delicious morning tea while helping to raise funds for the Cancer Council with your gold coin donation. No need to book!

Fri 19 May, 10am-12pm Rowville Library

Thur 25 May, 10am-11am Bayswater Library

Thur 25 May, 10am - 12pm Ferntree Gully and Mooroolbark libraries

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More information

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MEET THE AUTHORS

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Barbara McCarthy

Thur 11 May, 2:00 - 3:30pm
Rowville Library
Barbara McCarthy comes to share her experience of life, love, and the lot, through her books. Hear about her childhood in a RAF family, a career in nursing, her journey through motherhood, and what it's like to write and publish at a mature age (FREE). Bookings required

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Kathryn Hore

Sat 13 May, 10:30 - 11:30am
Bayswater Library
Join us to meet local author of The Stranger, Kathryn Hore. The Stranger is a novel that challenges and interrogates genre, and Hore considers how we as readers and writers make room for ourselves in otherwise hostile fictional worlds, to claim our own space (FREE). Bookings required

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Fiona Lowe

Fri 19 May, 2:00 - 3:00pm
Croydon Library
Come and hear Fiona Lowe talk about her life as a writer, and her upcoming release The Money Club; a gripping exploration of modern greed that wades through the moral quagmire of those who trade on the bonds of their closest friendships and family for money (FREE). Bookings required

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More author talks

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We can't wait for NSS 2023!

Join us for the 23rd National Simultaneous Storytime.

We will be celebrating by reading The Speedy Sloth from Mon 22 - Fri 26 May, along with the rest of Australia! There will be songs, rhymes and a sloth craft activity too!

Rowville Library will also present a bilingual storytime (Chinese/English) at Rowville Library on Friday 26 May, 11am.

Click below to find a National Simultaneous Storytime session near you.

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NSS Storytimes

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Celebrate Reconciliation at Realm!

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From the start of Reconciliation Week on 27 May until the end of NAIDOC Week on 9 July, 2023, Realm will come alive with a range of events and exhibitions in celebration of Indigenous Australians. This will include:

Performances by proud Mutti Mutti man, award-winning singer/songwriter Kutcha Edwards, Yeng Gali Mullum and the Eastwood Primary School Choir who will perform outside Realm in Ringwood Town Square (weather permitting) on Friday 2 June from 10am -12 noon.
A video installation by Daen Sansbury-Smith from Black Crow in ArtSpace at Realm titled From our Elders featuring interviews with ten Elders along with displays by Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place (MMIGP)
A scar tree banner created by MMIGP where visitors to Realm will be invited to write their thoughts about what Reconciliation means to them on a leaf that will be added to the tree
Wonderful books by Indigenous authors and/or celebrating Indigenous peoples and their cultures will be on display at the Realm Library.
Children are also invited to attend events at the library where they will make a collaborative mural celebrating Reconciliation week, and learn about and make story stones.

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Art of the Quilt: Exhibition by Michael Hammer

Visit Miller's Homestead during opening hours from 1 May until 28 June 2023, to marvel at the incredible handmade quilts by local art-quilter, Michael Hammer. More information

Join Michael, as he shares his creative journey with us at a Meet the artist event on Tues, 27 June at 2pm. (FREE) Bookings required

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HAPPY HOME + GARDEN

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Flavours of Southeast Asia

Sat 6 May, 10:30am - 12pm Healesville Library

Dale Prentice, Director of Sous Vide Australia, teacher and chef, will be presenting a cooking demonstration on the diverse and complex flavours of Southeast Asia. Learn all about the aromas, unique flavours and colours of this region. Tastings included (FREE). Bookings required

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Soil & seeds with Jaclyn Crupi

Wed 17 May, 2pm - 3pm
Belgrave Library

In Garden Like a Nonno, Jaclyn Crupi shares everything she learned about productive gardening from her nonnos, Michele and Vincenzo. In this talk, Jaclyn shares their knowledge about soil health and improvement, composting, worm farms, and fertilisers you can make at home. (FREE). Bookings required

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Soap making with Fran Snowden

Mon 22 May, 2pm - 3pm
Yarra Junction Library

Join Fran Snowden and learn how to use simple ingredients to create your own soaps at home. Participants will also receive a pre-made ready-to-use bar of soap to take home
(COST $5). Bookings required

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MIND • BODY • SPIRIT

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Art for wellbeing

• Mondays, 6 - 8pm, Boronia

• 4th Monday of the month, 9:30am - 11:30am, Miller's Homestead

• Tuesdays, 10am - 12pm, Belgrave

• Thursdays, 5 - 7pm, Bayswater

With art, there is no right or wrong! Thinking differently helps increase confidence and improves mental and physical health. Come and try some creative activities in a friendly, relaxed environment (FREE). Bookings required

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Note: Sessions at Bayswater, Belgrave and Boronia libraries are presented by Mountain District Learning Centre. Miller's Homestead's sessions are led by local artist Anudeepa Kadiresan.

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Learning to treat yourself with compassion in motherhood

Thur 4 May, 11am -12pm

Mooroolbark Library

If you find yourself stuck in self-criticism when you face a challenge, make a mistake, or compare yourselves to others, this session is for you. Learn to treat yourself with compassion so you can be the happy, confident mother you want to be (FREE). Bookings required

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Adult yoga with Japara House

Fri 26 May, 9:15am - 10:15am

Lilydale Library

A refreshing session suitable for all abilities that brings together mind and body. This session incorporates breathing exercises, meditation and poses designed to encourage relaxation, reduce stress and renew the mind. BYO yoga mat and water bottle (FREE). Bookings required

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Enchantment and symbolism: The psychological function of fairytales

Sat 27 May, 10:30am -12pm
Realm Library

In this class, we get curious about the psychological function of our favourite fairy tales and explore the language of symbolism. Be guided through several reflective exercises designed to explore the symbolism and deeper message within your chosen tale (FREE). Bookings required

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Support after suicide

Wed 24 May, 1pm - 4pm at Ferntree Gully Library

This 3 hour workshop is designed to increase understanding of suicide bereavement and provide basic support skills. Topics covered include:
• The StandBy service model
• Trauma, grief and loss
• What makes suicide different from other sudden death
• Support approaches and best practice
• Self care

Presented by StandBy (FREE). Bookings required

Support After Suicide: A Workshop Facilitated By StandBy

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Explore more events

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VOLUNTEER IN YOUR COMMUNITY

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Volunteering Expo 2023

Volunteer for Knox will be hosting their annual Volunteering Expo/ Family Fun Day on Sat, 13 May between 12 - 4pm at Coonara Community House. Come and say hello! We'll be chatting about volunteer opportunities available at Your Library. Click here to learn more.

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Uniting AgeWell Social Connections Program - Introduction for potential volunteers

Thur 18 May, 11am - 12pm, Knox Express Uniting AgeWell supports people aged 65+ to connect with their interests and community through the support of volunteers. Come along to this information session to discover how you can begin your volunteering journey. Click here for more information and bookings.

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NDIS Connection Desk

Join the team from Latrobe Community Health Service at Your Library to learn about the NDIS.

If you need to find out about getting access, have questions about a current plan, or just want general information, come and have a chat. The Latrobe Community Health Service team are in attendance at Bayswater, Croydon and Healesville Libraries on a monthly basis. Click here to view dates and times. Bookings not required.

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FEATURED RESOURCES

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Say hello to Libby!

From 1 May, the OverDrive app will no longer work. It's time to switch to Libby.

No need to worry! In Libby, you'll still find our huge online library of eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines. Libby is a free, beautiful, modern, easy-to-use app. All of your loans, holds, and wish list items will be waiting for you in Libby.

Learn all of the amazing features of the Libby app here. And download it straight away here:

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Learn a language with Mango

Choose from over 70 different languages and learn through practical, real-world conversations.

Unlike other free services, Mango gives you access to detailed grammar notes, high-quality audio recordings, and cultural resources to support your learning.

Start your language learning journey here. Or, download the free app: