More than Books - Winter 2024

Welcome

FROM THE LIBRARIAN

As the chill of winter sets in, it's the perfect time to cosy up with a good book and explore the wealth of resources available at your library.

Welcome to our Winter edition of More Than Books , brimming with exciting events and resources to brighten the chilliest of days.

From the vibrant Celebrating Culture and Community Event, tailored for children under 6 and their families; to the enriching NAIDOC Week weaving workshops led by talented indigenous artist, Valerie Murray; and the launch of the Youth Writing Group in Tara, proudly supported by the esteemed Queensland Writers Centre - there's something for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Don't miss the Seed Library section, offering valuable insights into what to plant, and harvest, in winter. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, our Seed Library is sure to inspire your green thumb.

In this digital age, we're also excited to introduce Hoopla! With just your library card, you can instantly access a treasure trove of books, audiobooks, and movies. Access anytime, anywhere - perfect for those winter weekends.

So get out of the cold and get into the library this winter - we look forward to seeing you soon!

CHRIS BERMINGHAM LIBRARY SERVICES COORDINATOR

WHAT 'S INSIDE

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

EAGLE READERs CELEBRATIONS

It's party time!! Special Storytimes, pizza parties and exciting performances –our libraries will come alive with the Eagle Reader celebrations.

Eagle Readers is a 3 month program running from April - June, for children to improve their reading skills and encourage a love of literacy.

Contact your library to see how they will be celebrating the Eagle Readers accomplishments.

SNOWY AND THE SEVEN COOL DUDES

Snowy is becoming more beautiful every day and the Wicked Queen is not happy. She has decided to send Snowy away, to get rid of her once and for all. The Magic Mirror has warned the Wicked Queen she is making a big mistake. Snowy is beautiful on the inside and the outside and especially kind! The Queen isn't listening though - she orders the Hunter from her Palace to take Snowy into the forest and leave her there - forever! Meanwhile, The Cool Dudes have decided it's time they started making healthier food choices and doing some exercise...

This engaging, interactive and colourful production recently picked up a major award at The Adelaide Fringe Festival. Suitable for children ages 3-11 and their families, it's interactive and fun!

Miles

Wednesday 21 August 10am

Chinchilla

Thursday 22 August 10am & 2pm

Dalby

Friday 23 August 10am

FEATURE EVENTS

CELEBRATING CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

Celebrating Culture and CommunityFor Early Years, is coming this July.

Children under 6 and their families are invited to experience awesome science, art, robotics and more. This fun-filled morning will have dozens of hands-on interactive activities.

Dalby 19 July 9.30-11.30am

NAIDOC WEEK WEAVING

Celebrate NAIDOC Week, weaving your own bracelet and earrings. This workshop is led by local, multi-award winning artist, Valerie Murray.

Tara 10 July 9am

Chinchilla 10 July 1pm

Dalby 12 July 9am

Jandowae 12 July 1pm

IN CONVERSATION WITH VICTORIA PURMAN

Join bestselling author, Victoria Purman for an engaging event as she discusses her latest book, The Radio Hour.

Delve into the captivating world of post-war Australia's golden age of radio broadcasting, where unseen women wrote the plays that held a nation spellbound.

Dalby 11 June 12pm

POETRY AND PROSE

Explore poetry, short story and novel writing with author and poet Sarah Todman.

Through engaging exercises, participants will discover the magic of words and unleash their creativity.

Join for 90 minutes of fun and inspiration!

Dalby 3 June 5.30pm

YOUTH WRITING GROUP

Introducing Tara's Youth Writing Workshop, a three-part series crafted by Queensland Writers Centre to hone your writing skills.

In our first session, dive into the world of writing with author, Yvonne Mes. With expert guidance, you'll embark on an exciting journey of storytelling.

Don't miss this opportunity to ignite your imagination.

Tara 15 June 10am 20 July 17 August

DIGITAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS

Need to brush up your technology skills? Liam from NBN is visiting some of our branches, teaching all things tech!

Scam Awareness, Essentials for Password Security, Introduction to Local Disaster Dashboard and more!

Refer to website for locations and dates

HEAD TO PAGE 3 FOR KIDS AND PAGE 8 FOR ADULT ACTIVITIES THIS WINTER!

NAIDOC WEEK

7 - 14 July

Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.

Join us for NAIDOC week as we learn about First Nations cultures and histories, and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living culture on earth.

Contact your local library to get involved.

BOOK WEEK

17 - 23 August

Reading is Magic

Get ready to celebrate your favourite books and characters with us!

We are hosting special Storytimes and events in our Library branches. Check out our website for more information and get your costumes ready!

JUNE ADULT WORKSHOPS

Learn something new with some help from Western Downs Libraries!

Poetry & Prose Workshop Dalby 3 June 5.30pm

Cookies, Cuppa & Canvas

Chinchilla 5 June 5.30pm

Victoria Purman Author Talk Dalby 11 June 12pm

Wood Burned Keyrings*

Sea Shell Wall Art

Make a Wind Chime

Bad Art Night

JULY

Easy Junk Journal*

Stained Glass Painting*

NAIDOC Week Weaving*

Metal Butterflies

Oil Pastel Art*

Escape the Library*

AUGUST

Brain Training for Seniors

Made with Love Mosaic Coaster

Watercolour Art

Tara 12 June 1.30pm

Jandowae 13 June 10am

Meandarra 20 June 10.30am

Tara 21 June 5.30pm

Dalby 3 July 2pm

Bell 3 July 2pm

Tara Chinchilla Dalby

Jandowae 10 July 10 July 12 July 12 July 9am 1pm 9am 1pm

Jandowae 16 July 10am

Tara 18 July 1.30pm

Tara 29 July –2 August Opening Hours

Chinchilla Every Monday 11am

Chinchilla 19 August 10am

Tara 28 August 2pm * PERFECT FOR TEENS!

KILLARNEY BY NIKKI MOTTRAM

Child protection worker, Dana Gibson, arrives in Killarney to find foster child Jayden Maloney. Drawn to her colleague's brother Sean, she's embroiled in a family feud. With criminal allegations and drug trafficking emerging, Dana realises Jayden's disappearance is complex. As floodwaters rise and secrets unravel, Dana must decide who to trust and how far to go for justice.

WILD LOVE BY ELSIE SILVER

Ford Grant, dubbed the "World's Hottest Billionaire," aims to start a recording studio in Rose Hill but is halted by a claim from a young girl asserting he's her father. Juggling business and parenting, he fights attraction to his best friend's sister, Rosie. Despite intending to keep her at bay, hiring her sparks a forbidden desire he struggles to resist.

AN UNLIKELY PRISONER BY SEAN TURNELL

For 650 days Sean Turnell was held in Myanmar's terrifying Insein Prison on the trumped-up charge of being a spy. In An Unlikely Prisoner he recounts how an impossibly cheerful professor of economics, whose idea of an uncomfortable confrontation was having to tell a student their essay was 'not really that good', ended up in one of the most notorious prisons in South-East Asia.

SECRETS OF RIVERSIDE BY MANDY MAGRO

After losing her family in a tragic fire when she was a child, Amelia has battled to put the shattered pieces of her life back together. When a mysterious letter turns up at her apartment with hints that she'll uncover the truth behind what happened all those years ago if she goes to the sleepy town of Riverside, she sets off on a journey.

AUTHOR VISIT !

THE RADIO HOUR BY VICTORIA PURMAN

Delve into the captivating world of post-war Australia's golden age of radio broadcasting, where unseen women wrote the plays that held a nation spellbound. Follow Martha Berry, a polite and invisible spinster, as she navigates the chaos of actors. Discover the secrets Martha harbors as she steps in to save the show, and the challenges she faces in a male-dominated industry.

DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS BY MATT DAHLIA

If you were 99 years old and on your deathbed and were given a chance to come back to today, what would you do right now? Since 2015, Yes Theory have catapulted onto the internet with their philosophy of getting out of their comfort zones and turning strangers into friends. Talk to Strangers is a reminder to ask yourself that vital question: What do you want out of life?

THE LABYRINTH OF LOST AND FOUND BY JORDAN LEES

Eleven-year-old Benjamiah Creek believes in science, logic and the power of reason. He definitely does not believe in magic. But when he receives a mysterious gift in the post - a doll that can transform into a bird - he is led into the impossible (and most definitely magical) world of Wreathenwold, where dark secrets are lost amongst a vast labyrinth of streets.

AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM (DVD)

Aquaman and his former adversary, Orm, team up to confront Black Manta, who has gained control of the powerful Black Trident. With the fate of both Atlantis and the world at stake, the unlikely allies set aside their differences to protect their kingdom and prevent irreversible destruction.

GET

BELL LIBRARY

In the quaint little town of Bell, you will find a treasure trove of knowledge, community, and imagination within the cosy walls of the Library.

Bell is just 30 minutes north of Dalby on the Bunya Highway and is a very popular day-trip destination. The drive out from Dalby is picturesque and there's very good coffee when you get there!

ANGELA

Angela is our new staff member at Bell Library, and she's going to tell us what makes Bell Library so special.

WHAT DOES YOUR JOB INVOLVE?

I started working at the Bell Library branch in September 2023.

Each day, I return and issue items to people and enjoy hearing their thoughts on different books they've read recently. I help people find items they would like, as well as help people with computers and technology. I regularly do outreach to the Bell State School - which is always a lot of fun!

WHAT DOES BELL LIBRARY OFFER?

My favourite feature the library offers is being able to browse items with the online catalogue. It's so easy to find items, place reservations and even book in for events. There may be a new book that I'm interested in and I can reserve it while the item is still on order.

Bell Library has books, audiobooks, magazines and DVDs, public computer access with printing and WiFi.

We have our very own Seed Library collection, where you can borrow a variety of seeds (for free!)

AND we host regular workshops for people of all ages.

WHY DO YOU LOVE YOUR JOB?

The best thing about working in libraries is meeting and helping people each day. I love the diversity of people in the community and meeting different people is always interesting.

COLLECTION RECOMMENDATION

A favourite of mine would be Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah.

TREVOR ' S BOOKSHELF

Cosy up with Trevor's pawsome pick for winter!

THERE'S A TIGER ON THE TRAIN BY MARIESA DULAK

On an extraordinary journey to the sea, a tiger boards the train, along with a jungle of other animals – all without Dad even looking up from his phone!

You'll never guess what happened On our trip down to the sea... A tiger in a top hat Came and sat right next to me!

Off to the seaside they go on a rather EXTRAORDINARY train journey. But will Dad ever look up from his phone?

HOOPLA Tap into Discovery

Instantly read, listen and watch with your library card.

Western Downs Libraries is excited to offer Hoopla, which lets you borrow and instantly stream audiobooks, eBooks, comics and manga, music, movies, TV and more - all with no holds or waiting.

With over 1.5 million titles available instantly and more being added each week, Hoopla truly has something for everyone. Start exploring today!

Easy Sign Up:

1. Download the Hoopla app

2. Select Western Downs Regional Council and enter your Library card number.

3. Borrow and enjoy!

GET SOCIAL

Hang out with us on Facebook and Instagram!

@westerndownslibraries

Stay up to date with the hottest new releases, be the first to know of exciting new events, and have a laugh at our ultra-funny memes.

OUR BRANCHES

BELL LIBRARY

71 Maxwell Street

Bell 4408

07 4663 1113

CHINCHILLA LIBRARY

80-86 Heeney Street

Chinchilla 4413

07 4660 7270

DALBY LIBRARY

Level 1, 69 Drayton Street

Dalby 4405

07 4679 4474

JANDOWAE LIBRARY

22 George Street

Jandowae 4410

07 4668 4480

MEANDARRA LIBRARY

Sara Street

Meandarra 4422

07 4665 6147

MILES LIBRARY

Dogwood Crossing, Miles

81 Murilla Street

Miles 4415

07 4628 5330

MOONIE LIBRARY

Leichhardt Highway

Moonie 4406

07 4665 0189

TARA LIBRARY

31 Day Street

Tara 4421 07 4678 7881

WANDOAN LIBRARY

6 Henderson Road

Wandoan 4419 07 4558 3045