Winter is packed with inspiration across all our libraries!
Whether you’re dreaming of a career in marine biology, itching to bring your art to life with digital tools, or ready to slam some poetry on stage, our programs are bursting with creativity, energy, and opportunity.
Writers can join a thriving local scene (with publishing success to show for it!), young inventors can build moving creatures, and garden-lovers of all ages can dig into our Winter Garden Series. Plus, don’t miss this months must-reads, explore fresh reads, bold ideas, and stories that hit hard, from bestselling crime to anime art guides and everything in between.
So come in, warm up, and get inspired.
Join us for NAIDOC Week 2025
City of Coffs Harbour invites you to join NAIDOC Week 2025 from 7 -11 July, marking 50 years of honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and achievements. The week kicks off at Yarrila Place with a flag-raising ceremony followed by cultural performances, as well as the prestigious Yandaarra Aunty Grace Roberts Community Awards presentation. The week-long program also includes a special NAIDOC Week Storytime and painting workshop, highlighting Gumbaynggirr traditions. Everyone is invited to come together and celebrate this special and free community event.
2025 Winter school holidays
NAIDOC Craft & storytime (age 2-8)
Wed 9 July 2025
Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Join Aboriginal author Kerrie-Rae Ellis for a joyful session of storytelling and creativity.
It’s a playful way for children to engage with storytelling, deepen their understanding of Country, and build their creative skills in a relaxed, family-friendly environment.
AFLW Sydney Swans storytime (age 2+)
Saturday 05 July 2025
Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Whether you're a footy fan or just love a good story, this is a chance to meet the players, hear some great tales, and feel the power of teamwork, imagination, and fun!
Young marine biologists Taster Session (age 14-18)
Tues 8 or Tues 15 July 2025
Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Dreaming of a career in marine biology? Join expert marine biologists for hands-on workshops that boost your skills, fuel your curiosity, and give you a taste of life as a marine scientist. This is a taster series for those interested in our exclusive Young Marine Biologists Program.
Create your own 3D video holograms (age 9-16)
Sat 19 July 2025 Digital Studio, Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Bring your imagination to life by creating your very own floating hologram video!
Using cutting-edge Digital Studio tools, you’ll craft and edit stunning holographic visuals, then take home a custom hologram display to wow your friends and family.
Whiz kids' wisdom wars (age 7-12)
Multiple Dates
Toormina, Woolgoolga and Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Get ready for an action-packed hour of tricky quiz questions and fun group challenges.
Kids and families will love testing their wits and working together to outsmart the other squads - building confidence, cooperation, and quick thinking.
Create animal anime characters (age 7-14)
Thursday 17 July 2025
Toormina Library
Create your own anime-inspired mythical beasts using iPads, Apple Pencils and Adobe Fresco. No experience needed, just bring your imagination!
Animatronics workshop returns with Emma Davies (age 8+)
Wednesday 16 July 2025
Yarrila Arts and Museum
Love building and creating? Join artist Emma Davies for a fun STEAM workshop to design and build moving animals or characters. Back by popular demand!
Create an augmented reality (AR) animation (age 8+)
Friday 18 July 2025
Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Create or choose an illustration and bring it to life with AR animations using Procreate Dreams. See your art come alive through your phone or tablet!
Family games day
Thu 10 July - Toormina Library
Mon 14 July Woolgoolga Library
Thur 17 & 18 July - Harry Bailey Memorial 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 08 July - Woolgoolga Library
Fri 11 & 12 July - Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Wed 16 July Toormina 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!
Talks & workshops
A night of crime with Matthew Spencer
Tuesday 29 July 2025
Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Bestselling author Matthew Spencer returns with Broke Road, a chilling Hunter Valley thriller inspired by a forensic pathologists' take on the perfect murder. Unmissable for fans of Jane Caro and Chris Hammer.
The path to getting your book out there
Saturday 26 July 2025
Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Want to publish your own book? Author and ghostwriter Hunter Leonard has done it ten times. In this practical workshop, he’ll guide you through writing, editing, printing, and promoting your work, everything you need to turn your idea into a published book.
New! Young marine biologists (age 14-18)
Starting in August 2025
Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Ready to turn your passion for the ocean into a future career? Join our exclusive Young Marine Biologists Program.
Led by real marine scientists, this program offers hands-on, skills-based experience in marine biology with fieldwork, lab skills, and expert mentoring.
Spots are limited, don’t miss the dive!
Sustainable Living series: Winter edition
Sat 05 July & Sat 02 August 2025
South Coffs Community Gardens & Tormina Library
Keep your garden thriving through the colder months and prep for spring with this Winter Gardening workshop.
Build nature confidence in your little ones with this Little Green Thumbs workshop (age 4-9).
Learn how to turn scraps into rich compost for a healthy garden in this Composting Made Easy workshop.
Intake open for Coffs Harbour writing groups
Next Intake Commences in August
Coffs Harbour Libraries
Join a vibrant community of local writers at Coffs Harbour Libraries and take your writing to the next level!
Whether you're working on fiction or non-fiction, our weekday and weekend groups offer thoughtful discussions, tailored feedback, and creative support.
We’re thrilled to share that one of our members recently secured a publishing contract — you could be next!
Australian Poetry Slam & wordshop
Mon 11 & Tue 12 Aug 2025
Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Calling all poets, performers, and passionate audiences!
Join the Poetry Slam Wordshop to sharpen your stage skills.
Then step up, or cheer loud, at the Australian Poetry Slam Coffs Harbour heat for your shot at state and national glory. All ages welcome.
Bookings available for competitors and audience. Don’t miss it!
Resource highlights
New! Business & Finance collection
We have an exciting new collection joining the Non-Fiction pods on level 2 at Harry Bailey Memorial Library – Business & Finance. Featuring books on investing, budgeting, career development, marketing, and so much more - we’ve got all your business and finance needs covered in one convenient location. Visit us on Level 2 or browse the collection online today.
New! HSC resources in our YA collection
Get exam-ready with the library’s HSC collection, including newly added texts featuring course notes and topic tests. The collection covers all HSC subjects from Maths & English to Visual Arts & Engineering. If we’re missing something you need, please let us know.
Keep an eye out for our HSC Priority Study Program coming September.
Reading radar
What our community is reading...
Tidelines by Sarah Sasson
Heartfelt look at a family in flux filled with love, longing & regrets but ultimately very human. Recommend it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wild dark shore by Charlotte McConaghy
A really well written story with some unexpected twists. The characters seem so real, the landscape portrayed so vividly.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Search party by Hannah Richell
Very cleverly narrated - by individual characters; as well as under police questioning and in hospital whilst being treated. Fast paced, gathering momentum as it went.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
When she was gone by Sara Foster
Absolutely fantastic read! Brilliant. Time permitting, I would have devoured this is one sitting!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Leavers by Lisa Ko
This story has been told before, but the authenticity and concerns are more relevant now than in 2017 when it was published. Lisa Ko is extremely talented as proved in her recent book Memory Piece. Highly recommend. Great for a book club as so much to discuss.
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌗
Staff recommendations...
The Messenger by Markus Zusak
It's clear from this cracking adventure story, complete with baffling clues and an unlikely everyday hero, that Markus Zusak loves dogs. And people.
A crew of young friends need gut instinct, tough love, and hilarious resilience to solve the riddles and get to their treasures. With Ugg boots finally shrugged off and fears faced, deep insight awaits the characters and us lucky readers. Find it in Young Adults. - By Amanda
All systems red - (The Murderbot diaries Book 1) by Martha Wells
This is an unusual science fiction series written from the point of view of an apathetic antisocial robot, Murderbot, who finds out that he cares way too much. Well worth the read, the series boasts simplistic world building where readers must draw on their own imaginations to fill the gaps; while also being an in-depth commentary about indentured servitude to Corporations. - By Olivia
Bill Bailey's Remarkable guide to happiness by Bill Bailey
Feeling the winter blues? Facile positivity not working for you? Bill Baileys guide could be the tonic. It's an illustrated sweep through 36 uplifting activities and moments, with friendly anecdotes about their benefits and how he includes them in his daily life. As a down-to-earth comedian and inveterate toe-stubber, they range from the (scientifically proven) benefits of swearing, to the quiet joy of raising a strawberry plant. As welcome a read as a nice cup of tea. By Amanda
Children's recommendations...
Truly Tyler by Terri Libenson
This book is soooooooo good, as well as the whole series. One of the best in the series. - By Jenny
⭐⭐⭐⭐🌗
Murder! By Narwhal! by Alex T. Smith
This is a murder mystery but it’s not very gruesome or scary, the person who dies is extremely nasty so it’s not sad either. The writing is very funny and it leaves you guessing all the way to the end. It's best to get an adult to read it aloud because it's so fun to try to work out who the culprit is together. It is awesome. - By Ted 8 years
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Yokai cats by Pandania
The Yokai Cats manga series is about cats that have different personalities and abilities. It’s really cute, colourful, fun and clever. People who like cats will love these books, but they are for everyone. - By Joe 8 years
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What's hot in the library.......
Spotlight moments
Regional Girls STEM Conference
On Thursday 5, June, Coffs Harbour Libraries was privileged to host The STEM Conference for Regional Girls. The event brought together over 130 students across several schools, and more than 15 stakeholders from Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, and Nambucca Shires. Aimed at to empower regional girls by connecting them with successful women in STEM careers, the day featured a diverse program with keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, and a STEM expo to spark curiosity and showcase opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Yarrila Place was buzzing with energy as every corner of the venue came alive during our recent event with spaces were packed to capacity, filled with curiosity, creativity and connection. The event truly showcased the power of Yarrila Place as a hub for inspiration and community empowerment.
A heartfelt thank you to Toyota Community Foundation, OzGREEN, and all our incredible partners whose support made this transformative event possible for the next generation of regional leaders in STEM.
All photos provided by OZ Green
Gathered in Coramba & Ulong!
Gathered! in Coramba and Ulong was a brilliant burst of creativity and connection. We brought the full library experience to tow, and the community showed up with warmth, curiosity and enthusiasm.
From stacking challenges and watercolour art to tech play and books galore, the day was packed with hands-on fun for all ages. Our pop-up library drew in readers of all kinds, sparking great conversations and book tips.
In Ulong, a casual chat turned into a deep dive into local history using the fabulous Coffs Collections. Thinking you'd like Gathered! near you? Let us know by writing to culturaldevelopment@chcc.nsw.gov.au
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 3.
Home Library Service
For eligible library members, the Home Library Service can deliver items once a month to your home for free. This service is for individuals who are unable to visit a branch due to a disability, illness, or limited mobility. Full-time caregivers of participating members can also use this service.
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: 1-on-1 Help and Group Learning Workshops (coming soon)
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
