🌟 Celebrate February with us at Coffs Harbour Libraries! 🌟
Don't miss our fabulous programs!
🎤 Author Event - Tim Ayliffe
🐬Young Marine Biologists 2026
🦈Citizen Science Corner - Sharks
🏛️The Library that made me...livestream
📚🤫Introduction of Quiet Hour
...and the return of our regular Adult and Children's programs!
We look forward to seeing all of your happy faces at Baby Rhyme Time, Storytime and After School LEGO Club!
Join us and make this February unforgettable at your local library!
What's On
Author Event: Tim Ayliffe
Monday 2 February 2026
Award-winning crime-thriller author Tim Ayliffe will be in conversation with Michael Burge (journalist and rural noir author) as they take readers on a haunting journey through the dry, forgotten towns of the Riverina. Dark Desert Road is a disturbingly plausible thriller that highlights the social fractures that are escalating around the world today.
Whether you’re already a fan or just discovering his novels, this event will be an exciting evening for all crime fiction lovers.
The Library That Made Me - Livestream event
Tuesday 24 February
Join us in person for a special livestreamed event from the State Library of NSW to celebrate the launch of the Library’s 200th Anniversary book The Library That Made Me. Leading storytellers Bruce Pascoe, Shankari Chandran, Thomas Keneally AO, Grace Karskens and Kate Evans will reflect on the libraries that have shaped them as readers and writers.
Tech Essentials
Fundamental Apps on Your Phone
Toormina Library, Starting 6 February
Coffs Library, Starting 5 March
Free, bookings essential.
There’s an app for almost everything! These sessions introduces the most useful ones for everyday life—maps to help you find your way, weather to plan your day, and messaging apps to stay in touch with family and friends. We’ll show you how to download apps, keep them organised, and delete the ones you don’t need. Simple steps that make your phone a real helper.
Phone Photography: Capture & Create
Coffs Library
Starting 5 February
Free, bookings essential
Learn how to take clear, beautiful photos using just your phone. We’ll show you how to open the camera, focus on your subject, and avoid blurry shots. Then, we’ll add a little creativity with simple editing tools so you can brighten, crop, and share your photos. Perfect for capturing family moments or even snapping your favourite sunset.
Making the Most of Free Google Apps
Toormina Library
Starting 6 March
Free, bookings essential
Google has lots of free tools to make life easier—like Gmail for emails, Google Photos for storing pictures, and Google Maps to get you where you’re going. We’ll walk through the basics, plus show you how to access your files from any device. Great for saving space on your phone and keeping everything in one safe place.
Programs
Applications Open!
Young Marine Biologists 2026
Curious about life under the sea? Dreaming of a career in science?
Young Marine Biologists is an award-winning program offering real fieldwork, expert mentoring, and a first look at a career in marine science.
Dates: Commencing with a special introductory session on Saturday 28 February,10am-2pm, pizza included. All following sessions held on the first Tuesday of each month, after school, 4.30 -6.30pm (2 hours).
Applications need to be completed by 11:59pm, Friday 13 February 2026
NEW! After School LEGO Club
When: Mondays after school, 3:45pm-4:45pm, commencing Monday 9 February.
Where: Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Age: 7-10 yrs (Year 3-5)
Cost: This program is free however weekly registrations are required
Kids can unleash their imagination, develop problem-solving skills, and build teamwork experiences through hands-on Lego challenges.
Library tours and service information
First Thursday of each month, 2-3pm commencing 5 February
Where: Meet on Ground Floor of Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Cost: Free. Bookings not required.
Join a tour of the library and learn about all the amazing services and resources available to the community.
This one-hour session will cover library memberships, how to borrow items, access computers and WIFI and how to book a meeting room. This program has been designed to welcome newcomers to Coffs Harbour to ensure new residents feel informed, included and connected.
Announcing the 'Our Community Reads' project
In 2026, we’re inviting our community to read, reflect, and connect.
There’s no set title to read. Instead, you choose a book that speaks to you and connects to the theme HOME and join the conversation through book clubs, events, and shared stories across the year.
Home can be a place, a feeling, a memory, a relationship, a connection to country, or a sense of belonging. Through stories for adults, teens, and children, we’ll explore how home is experienced, imagined, lost, found, and protected.
Looking for a recommendation to get started? Check out our recommended reads for fiction, non-fiction, youth, children and picture books.
Coming Soon...
Live Life in Colour: Free Senior's Festival 2026
Tuesday 3 March 2026
10.30am-12.30pm
Level 2, Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Let's celebrate! Join us for a vibrant morning of short presentations covering your rights as you age, travel and road apps, and digital decluttering tips. Peruse the variety of local information stalls on caring, legal issues, and volunteering opportunities across the City, helping you stay informed, confident, and thriving as you continue to bloom.
For more information on our Seniors Fest program, check out the library website.
Spotlight Moments
Hooked on Sharks at our Citizen Science Corner
Over 40 curious community members joined us for our Shark's Talk Shark Talk with local scientist Adrienne Gooden (SCU) at the Harry Bailey Memorial Library’s Citizen Science Corner.
The session explored the fascinating world of sharks, including different species, behaviour, foraging habits, and local ecology. Participants asked all kinds of curious questions, sparking lively discussion in a truly jaw-some session!
Season Two of the Citizen Science Corner: Sharks! brings you face-to-face with real science through talks, interactive activities, and take-home experiences. Check out the shark facts from the safety of dry land in the Citizen Science Corner. Available until mid-March!
Get Involved
We’re growing the Citizen Science Corner through partnerships with researchers, organisations, and community groups. If you have a citizen science project, research focus, or would like to collaborate on a future corner installation, we’d love to hear from you.
Email: library.programs@chcc.nsw.gov.au
Subject: Citizen Science Corner
Tell us about your project or partnership idea
Notices
Woolgoolga library temporary closure
Woolgoolga Library is closed to undergo an exciting transformation thanks to a State Library of New South Wales Public Library Infrastructure Grant.
The upgrade will deliver a modern, welcoming space designed to meet the needs of our growing community, with improved facilities and enhanced visitor experiences.
Temporary alternative services:
Reservations will be available for collection on Tuesday and Thursday between 1pm and 3pm from Wiigulga Multipurpose Complex.
Woolgoolga Neighbourhood Centre on Beach Street, Woolgoolga, will be available for printing and photocopying during the closure and will also host the regular Justice of the Peace service on Wednesdays between 11am and 1pm from 12 January onwards.
Keep up to date for further information via the library's Facebook, Instagram and website - as well as via our newsletters.
Introducing Quiet Hour at Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Harry Bailey Memorial will hold a quiet hour each week to create a low-sensory, peaceful environment.
When: Fridays 4-5 pm commencing Friday 6 February 2026
Where: Ground Floor, Harry Bailey Memorial Library
What happens during Quiet Hour? Reduced lighting, access to sensory supports and the opportunity to enjoy some quiet reading and activities during this time.
Sensory supports (toys and activities) will be available for all visitors to use during this time. These items can support focus, relaxation, or create a sense of calm.
Library staff can help you select a sensory resource to use during quiet hour.
Can I borrow a sensory item? If you want to take a sensory item home, you can borrow a Sensory backpack. This contains noise cancelling headphones and other textured and coloured items. You can borrow the backpack for two (2) weeks and bring it back to the library when you are finished.
Arts & Cultural Development Grants are open soon!
Funding of $1,000–$7,000 is available to bring creative ideas to life across Coffs Harbour. Supporting inclusive, engaging arts projects that strengthen the fabric of community connection, celebrate culture and energise our region.
Applications open Monday 2 February, 10am.
Arts & Cultural Development Info Session
Date: Wednesday 25 February 2026
Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Location: Yarrila Place, Coffs Harbour
Curious about turning your arts and cultural ideas into reality in Coffs Harbour? Join us for an Information Session on the City’s Arts & Cultural Development Grants. Whether you’re an artist, community group, or not-for-profit cultural organisation, this session will give you support you can use to bring your ideas to life and contribute to a vibrant creative future for Coffs Harbour.
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: Coffs Harbour Libraries Writers Groups
Home Library: The Home Library Service can deliver items to your home for free.
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
** Closing for renovation from 3 January to Early March 2026
