Welcome to September at Coffs Harbour Libraries!
Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time for new beginnings and fresh opportunities. In this month’s newsletter, you’ll discover exciting programs and events to dive into—whether you’re rolling up your sleeves for our Spring Gardening workshop or losing yourself in a thrilling crime story.
As we move into the Spring school holidays, we’re offering a jam-packed lineup of activities across all our locations. From bird watching to digital creativity, there’s something for every interest and age group.
We’re also excited to introduce Bird Watching Kits, a new addition to our Citizen Science Corner collection, and to celebrate literary achievements with the announcement of the Children's Book Council Award winners from Book Week.
Read on to explore all the amazing opportunities we have in store for you this season!
Book Club Lending Service
Are you part of a book club, or thinking of starting one? Did you know that Coffs Harbour Libraries runs a book club lending service? Book clubs who register with us and pay an annual fee have exclusive access to borrow kits from a collection of contemporary fiction and non-fiction titles.
Talks & Workshops
Get the Shot: Studio photography & promo design workshop for music artists
Wednesday, 17 & 24 September
Digital Studio, Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Learn how to take great studio photos with photographer, Jay Black. Use your photographs to create professional looking gig posters and EPKs (Electronic Press Kits).
Learn Rodecaster Pro II for Podcasting
Thursday 11 September
Digital Studio, Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Learn to use the RodeCaster Pro II to easily record in-person and remote guests for your podcast.
This hands-on session will help you set up, manage audio, and produce professional-quality recordings with confidence.
In the Booth: A song recording workshop series
Saturday 6 & 13 September
Digital Studio, Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Do you have a song that is ready to record, or just curious about the process? Join our 2-day song recording workshop with experienced audio engineer, Ahva Dub and learn to record and layer instruments and voice using microphones.
Michael Brissenden & Paul Daley
Thurday 18 September
Harry Bailey Memorial Library, Yarrila Place
Join us for a this rare and exciting opportunity to hear firsthand from two of Australia's leading crime writers, Michael Brissenden and Paul Haley, as they unpack the adventures of crafting their latest books, Dust and The Leap. An evening not to be missed by crime enthusiasts!
In conversation with
Kate Atkinson
Wednesday 23 September
Online
Celebrate great storytelling with an exclusive online event featuring internationally acclaimed author Kate Atkinson, presented by BorrowBox.
Discover the stories behind her unforgettable characters and hear about her brand-new Jackson Brodie mystery, Death at the Sign of the Rook.
Spring Gardening Workshop
Saturday 6 September
Woopi Gardens
Starting a garden can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.
Join our workshop to learn the essentials of spring gardening - what to plant, key things to consider, and how to set your garden up for a thriving 2026. Let’s get your garden growing!
Spring School Holidays
Story & Create with ocean author Annika Johansson (age 2-6)
Wednesday 8 October
Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Join in for a magical storytime with author Annika Johansson as she shares her beautiful new book Turtle Lives.
Then, let your little ones get hands-on with joyful creative play, exploring the story’s themes through art, craft, and imagination.
Workshop: Bird Buddies (age 7-12)
Several Dates
Toormina Library, Woolgoolga Library and Harry Bailey Memorial Library
In these playful, hands-on workshops, kids with use eco-friendly and recycled materials to design and build their own take-home bird dioramas based one of our local coastal birds.
A perfect mix of art, science, and environmental action!
Wildlife Recording at the North Coast Regional Botanic Garden (age 9-15 with accompanying adult)
Monday 29 & Tuesday 30 September
North Coast Regional Botanic Garden
How about going outside to explore what’s going on with nature? How about adding an audio twist?
This fun and explorative workshop runs over two days, the first about the listening and observation, the second about the recording and editing.
This is an intergenerational workshop and will require each child to be accompanied by adult.
Video Wizards & Visual Effects (age 9-13)
Wednesday 1 October
Digital Studio, Harry Bailey Memorial Library
In this hands-on workshop, participants will work in small groups to begin their journey as innovative video creators. Using iPads, cameras, green screens, and props, they’ll learn classic visual effects (VFX) techniques commonly used in film.
But what are visual effects, anyway?
VFX refers to the ways moving images are digitally manipulated to create illusions. There are many types of VFX, and as your children will discover.
Awesome Animations (age 8-15)
Thursday 2 October
Woolgoolga Library
Unleash your creativity in this exciting workshop where you’ll learn digital drawing and animation using iPads, Apple Pencils, and Adobe Fresco.
Explore the world of digital art and animation, from sketching to bringing your creations to life!
Spring Family Fun Day!
Saturday 11 October
10am-1pm Yarrila Place
Get creative with free art-making activities in YAM, dive into STEAM at the library, explore our new Citizen Science Corner with interactive exhibits, and check out the amazing digital works created in our Digital Studio workshops. Plus, embark on the ultimate discovery trail for even more surprises!
This is a free, family-friendly event - don’t miss out. Save the date and join us for a day to remember!
Family Games Day!
Monday 29 September - Woopi Library
Friday 3, Saturday 4, Sunday 5 October at Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Friday 10 October - Toormina Library
Come chill out, laugh together, and get a little competitive at our Family Games Day! Be it a well-loved regular game, or level up your gaming skills and take on a new board game, there’s something here for everyone.
Plus, don’t forget you can borrow your favourite board games to take home and keep the good times rolling!
STEAM in a SNAP!
Tue 30 September - Toormina Library
Tue 7 October - Woolgoolga Library
Fri 10, Sat 11 & Sun 12 October- Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Get ready for bite-sized bursts of science, technology, engineering, art, and math fun (STEAM)! From paper plane races to marshmallow bridges, shadow play to bounce battles, every activity is designed to be quick, exciting, and totally family friendly.
No bookings, no fuss. Just drop in and take on the challenge!
Resource highlights
CBCA Award Winners
Each year The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards celebrate standout Australian children's literature. New voices shone brightly, including debut author Darren McCallum (The Wobbly Bike) and illustrator Sarah Capon (Grow Big, Little Seed). A strong theme of diversity, resilience, and community ran through the winners, with children also getting a say through the Shadow Judging program. Read about the winners here.
NEW Bird Watching Kits
Ready to explore the wild side of your backyard? Our new Bird watching Kits are now available to borrow from Coffs Harbour Libraries!
Each kit comes with binoculars, bird field guides, a map, and more—everything you need to spot and identify our feathered neighbours. Perfect for families, nature lovers, or anyone curious about the outdoors.
Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 2025
The Prime Minister’s Literary Awards celebrate Australia’s best writing, recognising outstanding works across fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children’s and young adult literature. You can borrow many of these titles from Coffs Harbour Libraries now. Check out the shortlist here.
The Ned Kelly Awards 2025
The 2025 Ned Kelly Awards honour the best in Australian and International crime writing, showcasing gripping stories from leading and emerging authors. Many of these titles are available to borrow from Coffs Harbour Libraries now. Find the shortlisted titles here.
Reading radar
What our community is reading...
A beautiful family by Jennifer Trevelyan
Intriguing and well-written with unexpected twists – a great read!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Famous last words by Gillian McAllister
What a clever, well thought out novel. The things that don't even enter your thought pattern as ever occurring or being possible to occur. Had me from the start.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Staff recommendations...
Unsettled by Kate Grenville
Kate Grenville revisits the landscapes from Wisemans Ferry to Tamworth, where her squatter and settler forebears staked their claims. She by turn evades, then confronts the history of land theft, exploitation and murder. Her journey helps those who 'benefitted from a great wrong, but weren't the ones who caused it' to delve into what it is to belong in a country, and to investigate the true meaning of reconciliation. A powerful and necessary read offering a way forward.
The name of the sister by Gail Jones
A young journalist who has a close friendship with the police officer in charge delves deep into a missing persons case. In the process she is drawn into the harrowing world of the many who still wait for their loved ones to return home. Part literary outback noir, and part an exploration of the journalists own relationship with stories and images, and with her increasingly absent husband, missing in his own marriage. This reads like an excellent thriller with the aftertaste of a personal reflection on life.
Children's recommendations...
The hat of great importance by Patrick Ness (Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody series)
So sweet and funny with nice messages about friendship...and pelican villains.
The waterhorse: legend of the deep (film streamed on Kanopy)
The story of a friendship that transcends species. It is a timeless story that is captivating, uplifting, touching and enchanting. It speaks of the courage and curiosity of children, and will be sure to delight viewers of all ages
Spotlight moments
Celebrating the launch of the Citizen Science Corner & Garlambirla Birdlife Program
What an exciting day as we officially opened our brand-new Citizen Science Corner alongside the launch of the Garlabirla Birdlife program! We were thrilled to welcome over 50 curious minds to the Harry Bailey Memorial Library to celebrate this fantastic new space.
The Citizen Science Corner is where community curiosity meets real-world science. Whether you’re 9 or 90, this interactive hub invites you to observe, experiment, and dive into meaningful scientific discovery—no experience or lab coat needed! Our first season, Garlambirla Birdlife, is packed with hands-on learning opportunities, including interactive displays, bird tracking tools, creative art activities, and so much more.
Come explore, learn, and be part of something bigger, right here in your community!
The Australian Poetry Slam Ignites Coffs Harbour!
On 12 August, the River Oak Room at Yarrila Place was buzzing with energy as Coffs Harbour Libraries hosted the electrifying Australian Poetry Slam! Nineteen courageous performers took the stage, captivating a crowd of 148 passionate poetry lovers.
The night was alive with clicks, claps, stomps, and bursts of laughter, creating an unforgettable atmosphere of creativity and connection. Huge congratulations to all the performers for their powerful performances, and a special shoutout to Angela Tobin, our winner, who will proudly represent Coffs Harbour at the NSW finals in Sydney!
Thanks to everyone who made the night so special. We can’t wait for the next one!
Notices
Regular Children's Programs go on break!
Please note our regular children’s programs will pause during the winter school holidays. We look forward to welcoming you back for Baby Rhyme Time, Storytime, Duplo, Dress-ups and After School Lego Club in Term 4.
HSC = Priority
As HSC exams approach, we’re pleased to offer the Learning Lab and Group Study 1 as dedicated study spaces for HSC students. These rooms will be available for quiet study whenever they’re not already booked for programs.
Keep an eye out for the HSC Wellbeing Program that will be running throughout the month of October.
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 (age 6 mon-5), Dress Up Fridays (age 2-5)
Wellbeing: Casual Games Morning, Brain Training, Chair Yoga, Craft &
Connect and Sustainable Living Series
Tech: Tech Essentials Series (Intro to Tech) and Digital Studio Workshops
Writing: Casual Writers Room and Coffs Harbour Libraries Writers Groups
Home Library: The Home Library Service can deliver items to your home for free.
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
