There’s a real buzz across Coffs Harbour Libraries this May and you’re invited to be part of it.
From the much-anticipated reopening of Woolgoolga Library, to our now-regular music-making sessions with a studio producer, plus a packed lineup of Sydney Writers’ Festival talks and discussions, and the joy of National Simultaneous Storytime, there’s something happening in every corner of our library community.
Take a look at what’s on below and make the most of the final month of Autumn with us.
Get all the goodness of Sydney Writers' Festival at Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 May
Harry Bailey Memorial Library, Yarrila Place
Big ideas, great stories, and a little bit of everything in between — Sydney Writers’ Festival – Live & Local is back!
Love cooking & food, into film, or curious about AI? Enjoy fascinating conversations about how we live, think and connect? This year’s program has something for every kind of brain whether you’re here to learn something new or just enjoy a good story.
Pick a session (or a few!) and settle in as we livestream the festival straight from Sydney to the big screen at Harry Bailey Memorial Library.
🎥 Watch it live
💬 Join the conversation
📍 Stay local (no travel required!)
Come along, bring a friend, and dive into something interesting.
Check out some of the highlights!
Stephanie Alexander: The Cook's Companion 30th Anniversary
Thursday 21 May, 2pm
Hear from Australia’s beloved chef and food thinker Stephanie Alexander in conversation with fellow chef Adam Liaw
Great Adaptations
Friday 22 May, 4pm
Get behind-the-scenes insight into adapting stories from page to screen with writers Mick Herron (Slow Horses) and Suzie Miller (Prima Facie) in conversation with Benjamin Law.
David Szalay: Flash
Thursday 21 May, 6pm
Hear 2025 Booker Prize winner David Szalay trace the evolution of his singular, propulsive novel Flesh and the slowly unravelling life of its protagonist. With Michelle de Kretser.
Lily King: Heart The Lover
Saturday 23 May, 8pm
Revel in this unforgettable story of love, desire, friendship and loss as New York Times–bestselling author Lily King discusses her latest novel, Heart the Lover, with Melanie Kembrey.
The Future of Truth
Sunday 24 May, 10am
Join international correspondent Barbara Demick, philosopher A.C. Grayling, Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and AI researcher Toby Walsh as they share their perspectives on the value of truth today.
Antoinette Lattouf: Women Who Win
Sunday 24 May, 2pm
Reflect on powerful examples of feminist victories throughout history with journalist and human rights advocate Antoinette Lattouf in her latest book Women Who Win. In conversation with Jo Dyer.
What's On
Make some music on Thursdays!
Thursdays | 3.30-5.30pm
Pull up to Thursday Music Makers, a laid-back studio sesh where you can mess around, learn a few tricks, and actually make some sound. Bring your experience or come with no experience at all.
Hang out with producer Benjamin Taggart, try the gear, swap ideas, and see what happens.
Got a beat in your head? A riff you’ve been working on? Or just curious what all the buttons do?
🎧 Come have a play
🎶 Bring your vibe (or find one here)
🔥 Zero ego, all creativity
If you’ve been thinking about it… just come.
Bookings essential.
National Simultaneous Storytime 2026
10.30am, Wednesday 27 May 2026
Come to the fun-filled Simultaneous Storytime where libraries across Australia and New Zealand all read the same book at the same time!
Toormina & Woolgoolga Libraries will celebrate during regular Story Time sessions.
Karina Nannestad: Australian Children's Author visits the Coffs Coast
Tuesday 23 June, 4pm
Join us for an afternoon of stories and imagination with Australian award-winning children’s author Katrina Nannestad!
Children & Families in year 3-7. Door Prizes!
Staying Safe Online: workshop for parents and caregivers
Thursday 14 May, 5pm
In an increasingly digital world, helping young people stay safe, confident, and informed online is more important than ever. Join this free workshop to learn the risks and how to talk to your kid's digital safety.
Urban Twilight Photography: Find the Unexpected Beauty in your City
Tuesday 2 June, 4pm
Capture the intersection of light and city life with your camera. Explore how twilight creates stunning photographs within urban environments.
The Rubbish Renaissance: Jewellery, Jazz & Gin at YAM
Thursday 14 May, 5.30pm
An evening jewellery‑making workshop turning everyday waste into wearable relics, with smooth jazz vibes and Emerald Island Gin cocktails.
Old School Foundations - Contemporary Sculpture Workshop at YAM
Saturday 30 May, 10.30am
In this hands‑on sculpture workshop, artist Nick Warfield invites participants to transform humble cereal‑box cardboard into bold, contemporary sculptural forms.
Woolgoolga Library re-opens!
Our beautiful and refreshed Woolgoolga Library has reopened!
Woopi Library has reopened to the community, and it is looking great! The library team look forward to welcoming you back to the library with all services back to regular hours! Our regular events and programs restart from Tuesday 5 May so please keep an eye out for our regular offerings and some exciting new ones of the horizon.
What's on at Woopi Library
What events and programs would you like to see at Woolgoolga Library?
We’re here to create fun, meaningful, and socially connected experiences that reflect our vibrant community, and your ideas help shape what comes next.
Tell us what events and programs you’d love to see at your library.
Looking for a space to meet? The Woolgoolga Meeting Room is now available for community bookings.
It's a great space for group study, and for educational or community-focused activities.
Email coffs.library@chcc.nsw.gov.au to ask about bookings.
Brain Training at Woolgoolga Library is back!
First Monday, Monthly, 10.30-11.30am
Challenge your mind and keep your cognitive skills sharp at Woopi Brain Training! Engage in stimulating puzzles designed to enhance memory, focus, and problem-solving abilities.
Brain Training is also available at Harry Bailey Memorial Library.
LEGO® Club at Woolgoolga Library is back!
Wednesday, 3.45-4.45pm, Woolgoolga Library (School Terms)
Step up your creativity with After School Lego Club, a hands-on program that encourages imagination, problem solving and teamwork through exciting Lego building challenges.
After-school LEGO club is also available at Harry Bailey Memorial Library and Toormina Library.
Baby Rhyme Time (0-2yrs)
Thursdays,10.30am (School Terms)
Woolgoolga Library
Baby Rhyme Time introduces babies and their parents & carers to the magic of books and language through sharing rhymes, songs, finger-plays, action verse and simple stories.
Ask our friendly staff about the Baby Bundles available to borrow to keep the Rhyme-Time magic going at home.
Storytime (2-5yrs)
Tuesday,10.30am (School Terms)
Woolgoolga Library
Storytime is an interactive program with stories, songs and activities that encourage exploration and imagination. Each session is a fun way to develop your child’s love of reading, manual dexterity and social skills.
Friendly staff are available to help find your little one great books and resources to enjoy at home.
Duplo and Jigsaws
Wednesdays, 10-1pm (School Terms)
Woolgoolga Library
Let your little ones unleash their imaginations and explore, learn and play with Duplo building blocks, and jigsaws.
Dress-Up Fridays
Fridays, 10-1pm (School Terms)
Woolgoolga Library
Bring your little bookworms to the library for a magical adventure! Choose from a wide variety of costumes to dress up in and create your own stories.
Coming soon to Woolgoolga Library
Chair Yoga
Woolgoolga Library
Details to Come
Experience the tranquillity and rejuvenation of Chair Yoga! Through guided practice, enhance flexibility, reduce stress, and improve posture, our gentle yet effective practices are tailored to meet your needs.
The Cinema Lounge
Woopi Library
Details to Come
Join us at Woolgoolga Library for contemporary, classic and documentary films on the big screen. Feel free to stay for snacks and a chat afterwards.
Library highlights
3 - 2 - 1 - Blast off!
The April School Holiday Rocket Building Workshops were a blast! Kids learnt the basics of how rockets work and fly, then got hands-on with two exciting rocket-building challenges, designing, constructing, and even test-flying their own air rockets. The record flight distance - 6.1m!
Don’t miss out on more great programs coming up in the July school holidays!
Notices
STEM Conference for Regional Girls 2026
On Thursday 4 June 2026, we’re proud to be the host venue for the STEM Conference for Regional Girls 2026. With so many bright minds joining us, the library will be a hub of energy and activity throughout the day.
The library will remain open and accessible to the public; however, there will be some changes to access for regular spaces, and room availability may be limited at times.
The King's Birthday Closure
Coffs Harbour Libraries will be closed for the public holiday on Monday 8 June. Library after-hours chutes will remain open. The library will reopen with regular hours resuming from Tuesday 9 June.
Regular programs
Our library is a vibrant community hub, offering lifelong learning and connection through a wide range of weekly and monthly programs. Explore what’s on below!
Kids & Family: After School Lego Club (age 7-10), StoryTime (age 2-5), Baby Rhyme Time (age 0-2), Duplo, Jigsaws and games (6 mths - age 5), Dress Up Fridays (age 2-5)
Wellbeing: Casual Games Morning, Brain Training, Chair Yoga, Craft &
Connect and The Men's Space
Tech: Tech Essentials Series (Intro to Tech) and Digital Studio Workshops
Writing: Coffs Harbour Libraries Writers' Groups
Book Clubs: Groups & Lending Services
Home Library: The Home Library Service can deliver items to your home for free.
Quiet Hour: Fridays 4-5 pm, Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Note: Our regular programs are not available on public holidays. Additionally, regular children's programs do not run during NSW school holidays.
Acknowledgement of Country
Coffs Harbour Libraries is on the land of the Gumbaynggirr people, who we recognise as the traditional custodians of the land and who have cared for the land since time before immemorial. We pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging, and commit ourselves to a future with reconciliation and renewal at its heart.
Harry Bailey
Memorial Library
Yarrila Place
27 Gordon Street
Coffs Harbour
NSW 2452
Tel: (02) 6648 4900
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday & Sunday
10am to 2pm
Toormina Library
Minorie Drive
Toormina NSW 2452
Tel: (02) 6648 4925
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday
10am to 12noon
Woolgoolga Library
Ganderton Street
Woolgoolga NSW 2456
Tel: (02) 6648 4902
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday
10am to 12noon
