Connecting the community at Warren Shire Library
10 May 2021
Warren Shire Library has become a community hub with a program of activities, events and resources for residents of Warren Shire. From workshops to community outreach, the library has something for everyone.
While having to adapt throughout COVID-19 by providing resources online, the library is now focused on creating a space that offers a range of resources and events to engage the community.
Warren Shire Council General Manager, Gary Woodman, says the library has played such a key role in promoting community connections and pride for Warren Shire.
“From school holiday activities to building a digital archive of Warren Shire history, the library is a cornerstone of the shire that offers fun and interactive ways for residents to engage with learning, literacy and local history,” says Mr Woodman.
A highlight on the library’s calendar is the upcoming National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) event on 19 May. As part of Library Information Week, NSS is designed to promote the value of reading and storytime activities in libraries around the country, and this year will be an intergalactic event. Featuring the book ‘Give Me Some Space!’ by Philip Bunting, the Warren Shire Library will be streaming a live reading by NASA Astronaut Shannon Walker, directly from the International Space Station.
For librarian Pamela Kelly, the NSS event is one of many activities designed to engage the community in reading, literacy and creativity.
“The NSS from space is such an exciting opportunity to bring young readers together and experience the joy of books. Warren preschool and kindergarten will be coming to the library to join the event, which we are promoting with flags placed throughout town, so we hope to have a great turn out on the day,” says Ms Kelly.
Ms Kelly has also developed a program of activities to upskill locals through a series of workshops to cater for children and adults in the shire.
A recent visit from published author and memoir writing teacher, Kim Hodges, gave visitors an opportunity to learn about her work, life and experiences through an interactive session on how to start writing and recording memoirs. Library Technician, Rebecca Moors, and Lianne Clark also held a workshop on researching family and local history through library resources and external sources such as Ancestory.com.
“Our workshops have been such a fantastic way for the community to connect and learn new skills. We have also taken our program of activities on the road to engage our younger locals in reading and creativity by visiting children at Warren Primary School, Little Possums, St Mary’s, Warren School, Vacation Care and through the Pop-up Library for Pre-schoolers,” adds Ms Kelly.
“We aim to reach more people by offering services to encourage reading and learning both at the library and from home. The upcoming launch of Hoopla Digital will provide access to a huge range of videos, music books, audiobooks and graphic novels to download through the North Western Library App and website.”
Building the library’s e-resources has been made possible through the support of the North Western Library member councils who have allocated an additional $3,000 a year from the State Library Priority Grant funding.
To keep up to date on all the happenings at Warren Shire Library visit the library’s Facebook page facebook.com/warrenshirelibrary