More Than Books - Summer 2023

Welcome

FROM THE LIBRARIAN

After a whirlwind 2022, it's hard to believe it's summer — and the start of a new year — already.

December is the perfect time for a new read with the hottest books released just in time for Christmas. Sink your teeth into Chris Hammer's cold-case thriller The Tilt, Exiles by Australian literary icon Jane Harper, or the incredible true story of Emma Carey in her memoir The Girl Who Fell From The Sky. And who can forget the prequel to TikTok juggernaut It Ends With Us — Colleen Hoover's aptly named It Starts With Us hits shelves soon.

December of course also means Christmas, which in library programming, means craft! Get your festive fix in branches across the region with how-to's and crafternoons for young and old.

We're taking advantage of the warmer weather with workshops from Windy Acres Farm in beekeeping and pollination for both adults and children. Not only are bees a trendy topic, but their role in our natural world is vital — see how you can help our buzzy friends survive and thrive!

If you're still after something to help you connect with nature, try our Pressed Flower Art workshop in Chinchilla this January or Mini Terrariums in February at Tara.

Our fourth Words Out West returns in March 2023, with a stellar line-up of

storytelling personalities — including triple-olympian Lisa Curry, actor and author William McInnes, children's novelist Morris Gleitzman and the highly anticipated return of Rachael Johns. We're also pleased to bring you an incredible story of courage and hope in our fan-favourite Friday night gala, Books & Bubbles — featuring the true story of Lion's Saroo Brierley. Tickets will get snapped up quickly, so head to www.wordsoutwest.info to get yours.

It's safe to say we'll be very busy this season, and we look forward to sharing it with you!

From our library family to yours, we wish you a safe and merry Christmas and a happy 2023. See you all in the new year.

CHRIS BERMINGHAM LIBRARY SERVICES COORDINATOR

FEATURE EVENTS

BEGINNER BEE WORKSHOPS

Windy Acres Farm presents the basics for beginners interested in starting their own apiary, or have just commenced their beekeeping journey.

This short course incorporates the theory of bee biology, foraging, communication and hive components, tools of the trade, how to get started, inspections and pests.

February 7 – 10

*Visit our website for more information

POLLINATION AND FLOWER BOMB MAKING WORKSHOPS

This workshop, presented by Windy Acres Farm, demonstrates the importance of bees in our environment in a child appropriate way. Children will view real photographs of bees and learn the basics of their life in the hive.

Through a game of 'Pollen Collectors', the children will discover the importance of flowers and pollen in the garden and environment.

The sessions conclude with flower bomb making - where each child will produce a 'bomb' with flower seeds in it to take home and help the pollinators in their garden.

February 7 – 10

Jandowae Chinchilla Wandoan Dalby

Jandowae Chinchilla Wandoan Dalby Moonie

LIBRARY LOVERS DAY

A week to remember that our libraries are a place where we can get lost in an idea, find an adventure in a book, discover new information, or get support on something we need help with. Celebrate the valuable roles libraries play in our lives and 'show the love' by re-engaging with your local branch.

Regional 13 - 17 February

DINORAMA

Create a Dinosaur-themed Diorama. These workshops are ideal for 5-10 year-olds who love dinosaurs, craft, or both!

Dalby 11 January 9am Chinchilla 12 January 10am

REVERSE GARBAGE ROBOTS

Create robots and space explorers with control panels, buttons, dials and antennae using recycled materials from Reverse Garbage.

Jandowae 10 January 10am

GAME NIGHT AND DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

Explore a realm of magic and mystery. Whether you're an experienced dragon-slayer, or a complete beginner, our game nights are fun for all.

Dalby 1st Saturday of the month Chinchilla 3rd Sunday of the month

COMING SOON!

Launching this December, our brand new Library App will be available on all Apple and Android phones and devices.

Manage your account, search the catalogue, renew and reserve books, access our eResources, find out what's on, and more!

CATALOGUE SEARCH

Find a title, and reserve or renew items straight from your device.

MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT

See what you've currently got on loan, when it's due back, and renew your items. Manage your linked accounts from the app too (great for parents and carers!).

BARCODE SCAN

Scan a barcode on any book, anywhere, then search our catalogue to see if you can borrow it from your local library!

LIBRARY INFORMATION

Find out about everything from events, eResources and opening hours to latest news, plus links to social media - everything you need to stay informed and connected. Stay tuned for our official launch!

THE TILT BY CHRIS HAMMER

A man runs for his life in a forest. A woman plans sabotage. A boy is unearthed. Newly-minted Detective Nell Buchanan returns to her home town, annoyed at being assigned a decades-old murder. But this is no ordinary cold case, as the discovery of more bodies triggers a chain of escalating events in the present day.

IT STARTS WITH US BY COLLEEN HOOVER

Before It Ends With Us , it started with Atlas. Colleen Hoover tells fan favourite Atlas' side of the story and shares what comes next in this long-anticipated sequel to It Ends With Us. Revealing more about Atlas's past and following Lily as she embraces a second chance at true love while navigating a jealous ex-husband.

NO PLAN B BY LEE CHILD

One tragic event. Two witnesses. Two conflicting accounts. One witness sees a woman throw herself in front of a bus - clearly suicide. The other witness is Jack Reacher. And he sees what really happened - a man in a grey hoodie and jeans, swift and silent as a shadow, pushed the victim to her death, before grabbing her bag and sauntering away.

AND JUST LIKE THAT (DVD)

The iconic characters and world of Sex and the City are the exciting jumping off point for this all-new series, which finds Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte navigating the complicatd reality of friendship, family, and New York in their 50's.

STAFF LOVE!

EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE BY

BENJAMIN STEVENSON

When you first read the title, admit it! You thought "What?!" but this new release from Benjamin Stevenson is a cracking read and if you like an old fashioned #whodunnit, you will love the twists and turns this book offers. Stevenson has successfully re-created a bygone sub-genre for a thoroughly modern audience. – Jacqui, Tara Library.

RUIN AND RISING BY LEIGH BARDUGO (YA)

Soldier. Summoner. Saint. The nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army. As her allies and enemies race toward war, only Alina stands between her country and a rising tide of darkness that could destroy the world. To win this fight, she must seize a legend's power but claiming the firebird may be her ruin.

THE EXILES BY JANE HARPER

At a busy festival site on a warm spring night, a baby lies alone in her pram, her mother vanishing into the crowds. A year on, Kim Gillespie's absence casts a long shadow on her friends and loved ones. For federal investigator Aaron Falk, dark questions linger as long-ago truths begin to emerge.

THE GIRL WHO FELL FROM THE SKY BY EMMA CAREY

When Emma Carey was twenty, she fell from 15,000 feet and survived. In The Girl Who Fell From the Sky Emma tells us the inspirational story of how, through what could be considered one of her greatest tragedies, she found her truest self.

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 activites. They have a lovely little study nook for anyone to use for work or study as well as a Non-Fiction 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.

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

WHAT MAKES MILES LIBRARY DIFFERENT?

The Library is in Dogwood Crossing, Miles, a multi-purpose facility housing an Art Gallery, IT Centre and art on consignment made by local and regional artists.

WHAT MAKES YOUR JOB DIFFERENT?

I love the variety, as my role isn't just working in the Library; I work across the Centre as a whole. I prepare and deliver Storytimes and craft activites with the assistance of casual staff; I work with exhibiting artists; Create virtual galleries; I plan Dogwood Crossing's social media, as well as maintaining two websites. What's that saying? There's no rest for the wicked!

WHY DO YOU LOVE YOUR JOB?

I love welcoming visitors to the centre and meeting people who are new to town. I also love working with the volunteers. When I'm walking downtown or when they see me in the grocery store, I get hugs from some kids that are or were regular attendees to our Storytimes - it brings on the warm and fuzzies.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED IN LIBRARIES?

A whopping 21.5 years!

COLLECTION RECOMMENDATION

My favourite authors are Stephen King, Dean R. Koontz and Richard Layman. I love mystery and crime. One book that had an impact on me was The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. I cry in movies but never while reading books, until this book (shhh don't tell anyone!). Another book I read recently which I loved was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

LOVE FOR MILES LIBRARY

'Miles is very lucky to have the beautiful library that we do. We have been regulars at the library since my first child was a toddler starting at Storytime for Toddlers. We now attend all the MiniMakers workshops (a Dogwood Crossing, Miles program), on the weekends and school holidays. Both kids have a great love of reading and books which I think has a lot to do with being library regulars and the excitement of picking their own books to borrow. Claudia, Anne, and the team do an amazing job.' - Megan Coleman.

CLAUDIA

Now in its fourth year, the award-winning Words Out West: Western Downs Readers & Writers Fest is returning in 2023 to deliver a novel approach to storytelling for readers, writers and word-lovers alike.

Find out where your story will take you at Words Out West.

Picture books bring enormous benefits to children who are in the early stage of developing their ability to learn to read. You can extend a child's understanding and love of a book by adding experiences such as play and craft, and naturally conversations will flow.

Picture books will give children inspiration and you will often see them allocate roles to their friends. The stories will grow and may differ with additional characters and the plot may be extended. You just have to read Three Billy Goats Gruff by Pam Holden or Wombat Stew by Marcia K. Vaughan and Pamela Lofts to a group of children and watch them interpret the story in their play scenarios to see evidence of the child's understanding of the book.

Small World Play is another great imaginative play idea that books can inspire. For instance, if you are reading the book Ten Tricky Dinosaurs by Amanda Tarlau you could assist your child to scout around your home and find objects to represent scenery or characters in the book. Small plastic dinosaurs, sticks for trees, rocks for features of the landscape and blue paper can become a waterhole in your child's small world. This will also allow you to extend your child's knowledge and vocabulary as you become a palaeontologist and look at the characteristics

of the ten dinosaurs, discover their names and see if they are herbivores or carnivores. Our non-fiction collection has lots of books on dinosaurs to help you do some research together.

So have fun with books, extend your child's knowledge and understanding of the story and sit back as you reap the rewards throughout their schooling.

TREVOR'S BOOKSHELF

Trevor the library dog is back again with his top pick for Summer!

SHARK IN THE PARK

BY NICK SHARRATT

Timothy Pope has a brand new telescope, and he's testing it out in the park. Children will delight in peeping through the die-cut holes and guessing what Tim has spotted. Is that really a shark he can see?

THE TECH DEN

BRAND NEW i-THEATRE!

An innovative combination of traditional and digital storytelling mediums.

i-Theatre is a unique learning system for early years and primary aged children that facilitates story-creation and multimedia storytelling in a way that embraces both traditional and digital mediums.

First, children create the characters, background, and other content for their stories

using traditional mediums such as paper, pencils, markers and paint.

Then, children use i-Theatre's built in scanner to convert their hardcopy materials to digital content that can be manipulated on screen and turned into multimedia stories, adding sounds, animation, and recording their own narration. The finished movies can be exported to be watched with family and friends.