Our May newsletter is out now!
Get the latest news and events straight to your inbox by subscribing here :
*|MC_PREVIEW_TEXT|*
Happy Mother's Day to all those mums, grandmas, nannas, nonnas and yayas for Sunday 13 May. This month we have so many exciting events coming up, including our partnerships with Geelong After Dark and the Feminist Writers Festival. Celebrations of the wonderful world of children's literature continue with a very special opportunity to dine with the new Australian Children's Laureate, Morris Gleitzman; and the Reimagine Family Fun Day on May 20. Please read on and then visit our website to find out more.
written by Kaye Baillie illustrated by Narelda Joy
Tammy is safe at home, but her heart is with her father at the war front. While her mother knits socks for the soldiers, Tammy slips a message inside each pair. Will her special message find her father, and bring him safely home? Based on a true exchange between Lance Corporal McDougall and a young girl, Message in a Sock is a collage-style tale. Reading Level: 3-6 years old suggested, but a story for all ages to share. Request a print copy of 'Message in a Sock'
Saturday, 19 May Geelong Library & Heritage Centre 6.30pm to 11pm Don't miss this special opportunity to meet and hear Morris Gleitzman and other renowned children's authors and illustrators for an evening filled with tall tales and true, and insights into why stories matter. Tickets: $75pp* include a three course dinner and beverages (*Friends of the Library are eligible for a 20% discount. For more info on becoming a Friend contact us HERE) Bookings click here
Sunday, 20 May 10am to 3pm Geelong Library & Heritage Centre Experience a special day of free family activities and explore wonderful, new ways to experience children’s books. Meet book characters The Hungry Caterpillar and The Cat in the Hat and enjoy storytimes and workshops with some of your favourite authors and illustrators. Don’t miss the special performances of Anna Walker’s Mr Huff at 11am and 2pm. Read more about all the activities here Pic: Tai Snaith Try new things 2017 gouache, ink, watercolour, paper and stoneware and porcelain clay [from Slow Down, World, Thames & Hudson, Australia, 2017] Collection of the artist, © Tai Snaith
Geelong Councillor Ron Nelson has been elected Chair of Geelong Regional Library Corporation’s Board, and Surf Coast Councillor Margot Smith has been elected Deputy Chair. City of Greater Geelong Councillors Stephanie Asher, Jim Mason AM, Peter Murrihy, Deputy Mayor and Ron Nelson were formally appointed to the Board for a period of two years by Geelong Council on the 13 March of this year. A first time Director on the Board, Cr Nelson brings passion and commitment to ensuring the GRLC continues to deliver exemplary and innovative services to the community. For further information click here
The Hon John Eren, Minister for Veterans recently announced Victoria Remembers Major Grant Program funding of $76,000 for our Geelong Honours Them project. Geelong Honours Them will see Geelong Regional Libraries undertake the digitisation of literally hundreds of World War One Honour Boards that are scattered across the Borough of Queenscliffe, City of Greater Geelong, Golden Plains Shire and Surf Coast Shire municipalities. For further information click here
Wednesday, 2 May 6.30pm to 7.30pm Geelong Library & Heritage Centre
Nothing is more important to us than love, yet nothing is more painful than love gone wrong. Throughout our lives, dangerous 'faultlines' can develop in our inner emotional landscapes due to hurts and losses. Psychologist Dr Debra Campbell will discuss her new book Lovelands; a map she recommends for traversing the treacherous terrain of love and cultivating self-awareness.
Bookings click here
Friday, 4 May 4pm to 5pm Lara Library or Torquay Library May the 4th be with you! Celebrate Star Wars day with us. Test your knowledge and have fun making your own Star Wars memorabilia to take home. Ages 8+ Bookings click here
Friday, 4 May 6pm to 9pm Geelong Library & Heritage Centre Geelong Library & Heritage Centre will be a hive of fun activities for Geelong After Dark on Friday 4 May with an entirely bug-themed offering. Aimed at children and young families, the library will be buzzing with creepy crawlies from 6pm-9pm. Geelong After Dark is a free event which brings the city alive for one night only with pop-up art, performances and street art. For further information click here
Starting Wednesday, 9 May 4.45pm to 6pm Bannockburn Library Draw reptiles and birds with local artist Marita Reynolds. Learn pencil technique, shading, tone and colour mixing. All materials supplied. Ages 12+ For bookings & enquiries contact Marita Reynolds 0425 735 581. In partnership with Golden Plains Shire, Arts & Culture. For further information click here
Part of the Queenscliffe Literary Festival Saturday, 12 May 12.30pm to 1.30pm Queenscliff Town Hall Did you know that the ancient library in Alexandria had books made from papyrus, palm leaves, bone, bark, ivory, linen and stone? Or that whenever a ship arrived at the city's port with scrolls on board, the scrolls were taken to the library for copying? From Middle Ages libraries, to book vandals and fiction fantasy libraries, join author Stuart Kells in conversation with Geelong Regional Library Corporation CEO Patti Manolis (pictured) to discuss The Library, a treasure-trove of history and literature. Tickets $25 Bookings click here
Tuesday, 22 May 6.30pm to 7.30pm Geelong Library & Heritage Centre
Leading intensive care specialist Dr Charlie Corke explores the kinds of decisions individuals, families, and medical personnel face in a medical crisis. Dr Corke explores how to make an advanced care plan that will help people make decisions on our behalf; and how we can maintain our dignity and autonomy for as long as possible.
Saturday, 26 May, 1pm to 4pm Geelong Library & Heritage Centre Tickets: $65 ($55 conc) Sure, you want to be a feminist writer – but what does that mean? In this workshop, writer Amy Gray shares all her tips on how you can start your a writing career and advance a feminist writing practice of your own, and work with your local writing community. In partnership with the 2018 Feminist Writers Festival. Bookings click here
Saturday, 26 May, 5pm to 6.30pm Geelong Library & Heritage Centre Tickets: $10 Join Clementine in conversation to review the movement's past, present and future, and the many ways women are silenced, questioned, cross-examined and dismissed. In partnership with the 2018 Feminist Writers Festival. Bookings click here
Multiple Times Mulitple Locations Did you know new solar and battery technology can cut your electricity bills up to 90%! Join us for this free community event to learn how it works, talk to solar experts about what's good for you, and get exclusive bulk-buy deals on solar and battery systems for your home or small business. Bookings click here
We are currently seeking volunteers to join the Home Library Service team to help deliver library items to people across the entire Geelong region who are unable to visit the library due to health or mobility reasons. Volunteers are required to help deliver selected library materials to our Home Library Service clients each month. If you could spare a few hours a month to help please email us HERE. For further information click here
Mother's Day is just around the corner on Sunday 13 May. Purchase a Friend of the Library membership as a gift for your mum and she will soon be enjoying a wide range of benefits including discounts at the Word for Word Festival, Public Cafe, GPAC, Geelong Gallery, National Wool Museum, participating bookstores and much more. Simply purchase a Friends membership gift online HERE and a welcome pack will be sent directly to your mum. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Find out more
Back to news
This is an opportunity for your community group or organisation to partner with us to present events for our adult audiences that will inform, entertain and enhance social connectedness.
All of our libraries, mobile libraries and Kim barne thaliyu/Geelong Heritage Centre will be closed from Wednesday 25 December -Wednesday 1 January inclusive.
Donate fresh produce this summer to those experiencing food insecurity this December.
We invite First Nations people to participate in an oral history project, recording and preserving stories within the Kim barne thaliyu Geelong Heritage Centre archive. Interviews start in December.
The Library of Things provides members with a range of tech, practical and recreational non-book items available to borrow from your local library – for free!
Please note all our library locations including mobile libraries are closed and online services unavailable on Friday 29 November for our annual staff training day.