All the latest news from your Library
April 2023
April is the month we celebrate NSW Youth Week and commemorate Anzac Day.
There are some wonderful images from the Coffs Collection with celebrations of past Anzac Day services around the Coffs area. Please take the time to look at this wonderful collection online at Coffs Collections.
NSW Youth Week will take place from 20-30th April and is an opportunity for young people to express their ideas and views, act on issues that affect their lives, and create and enjoy activities and events.
Youth Week
To celebrate Youth Week Coffs Harbour Libraries has a limited number of Youth Packs from 20 to 30 April.
The Youth Packs have Legal information, Vaping information, “Drug Info: The Facts” postcards, “Know your Standards” pocket cards, a 3-5 Alco cups, Comic Plus App, Studiosity support link, and a LED torch.
Youth can request a pack from the service desk at any of our branches.
Students! Make the most of your public library membership.
Studiosity is an online tutoring service that can help you with your school assignments, help you understand concepts and writing Essay, Case study, CV, Resume, Cover Letter, Essay, Scientific report, Short story, Speech, Text analysis, Business Report, Reference list and more.
What's New!
New, increased reservation limit
Exciting news for our members! We have increased the reservation limit on member accounts.
You can now reserve up to 30 items at a time, giving you more options to explore our vast catalogue of books, movies, music and more.
So, why not take advantage of this new limit and start browsing our collection today?
Building big imaginations with Duplo
Is your child a budding builder who loves to create with blocks? Come along for Duplo at the Woolgoolga and Toormina library every Wednesday from 10am to 12pm!
Our children’s area provides the perfect space for your little ones to unleash their imaginations and explore, learn and play with Duplo.
These fun and creative sessions are sure to delight!
Ben’s Book Club is a digital book club available exclusively to Australian and New Zealand libraries, hosted by best-selling author Ben Hobson.
Library members can now borrow the book chosen for Ben’s Book Club each month with no waiting or holds on the Libby reading app.
This month’s meeting will be held on Tuesday 25 April at 7.30pm AEST
What's On
April School Holidays:
Ignite the fun and creativity!
Get your Creative Journal and your chance to win an Art Pack!
Grab a copy of the School Holiday Creative Journal at your local library, complete the fun activities inside and snap a pic of your favourite creation. Scan the QR code in the journal to upload your picture and enter the draw.
This competition is open to kids and teens aged 5-18, so don't miss out on the chance to showcase your creativity and win an awesome prize!
Games Galore!
During the holidays we're bringing you six exciting games to play with your family and friends at each of our library branches.
You can borrow any of these games, for in-house use only, simply by asking a librarian or visiting the service desk, from Tuesday 11 to Friday 21 April, 10.30am - 4pm.
Experience the excitement of these classic board games at your local library!
- Uno
- Guess Who
- Jenga
- Connect 4
- Chess
- Pop and Hop
Create and celebrate!
Join us in celebrating the release of Avery's Hat-astic Adventures, a new children's book series by award-winning local author Ellie Royce with zesty illustrations by local artist Mardi Davies. Perfect for junior readers, this fun and positive series features true-to-life stories about imagination, friendship, family, and real-life challenges.
The first title, How Does a Hat Save the Day?, follows an adventure to a community garden patch where a scarecrow needs saving, along with the gardeners' precious crops. Copies of the book will be available to borrow at your local branch.
During the school holidays, drop in to your local library branch between 10.30am - 4pm) to create your own paper hat inspired by the adventurous spirit of the book. All materials will be provided to make your hat bright and colourful.
See more of Mardi Davies' amazing illustrations, featured in our Autumn Creative Journal. Make sure to grab a copy while you're there.
Storytime - Term 2
Storytime Term 2 will resume immediately after the school holidays.
Woolgoolga Library
Tuesday 2 May, 10.30 to 11am
CLOSED on Tuesday 25 April for ANZAC Day
Harry Bailey Memorial Library
Wednesday 26 April, 10.30 to 11am (until further notice)
Toormina Library
Thursday 27 April, 10.30 to 11am
Woolgoolga Library
Saturday 29 April, 10.30 to 11am
Yarn & Yack
Monthly gathering at Harry Bailey Memorial Library to knit and chat with fellow knitters the first Tuesday of every month.
Tuesday 4 April
10:30 to 12 noon
Guidelines on Children in the Library
We love providing fun activities and a welcoming space for children at Coffs Harbour Libraries; however, we respectfully ask that families and carers be mindful that Library staff are unable to supervise children in the library.
All children under the age of 8 years must be supervised by a responsible adult or mature adolescent.
Get your game on!
The new Harry Bailey Memorial Library at Yarrila Place will have a dedicated Youth space and will include a PlayStation 5 Games Console.
In preparation for the move we are calling all Gamers to complete this 1 minute survey to let us know what kind of games you’d be interested in playing at the new library.
Staff faves...
Find out what our staff have been reading and read their reviews.
Rhy's 13-year old daughter says she's obsessed with Six of crows by Leigh Bardugo.
Maybe you or a teen you know might like to read it over the holidays?
Were you a Girl Guide or Boy Scout involved in the ANZAC March?
Coffs Collections is an impressive record of local history, including many photos of Anzac Day commemorations in the Coffs area. The photo below is one from the collection of Girl Guides in the main street of Sawtell on Anzac Day, 1960. The photo was taken from the balcony of the Sawtell Hotel.
Marching in no particular order are Helen Amos, Pat Price (at the rear) ,
Jan Capararo, Susan Johnston and flag bearer Betty Jones.
Are you curious about the rich and diverse history of Coffs Harbour?
The Coffs Coast Heritage blog is dedicated to sharing fascinating stories and little-known facts about the unique culture and heritage of the Coffs Coast region.
Whether you're a lifelong resident or a curious visitor, our treasure trove of interesting stories is sure to captivate you.
COFFS HARBOUR DISTRICT FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY INC.
Website: coffsharbourfamilyhistory.com
Email: coffsgenie@gmail.com
Phone: 02 66483605
Family History Society
April Workshop
Guest presenter Local First Nation Uncle TONY PERKINS is a local Gumbaynggirr Elder who collaborated on the book “Singing The Coast” with Margaret Somerville, based on the history of the Gumbaynggirr people of the local area.
Tony will discuss: Gumbaynggirr boundary; Creation of Gumbaynggirr language and people; Birrigun creator, landscape and animals; Pathways; Totems; Plant uses; History, ID and classification over the years.
WHEN: Saturday 22 April 2023
WHERE: Coffs Harbour Community Village
TIME: arrive 9.45am for 10am start
COST: $5.00 per person (Donation towards afternoon tea would be appreciated)
REGISTRATION: Is essential to register so please phone or visit the rooms or email if you wish to attend
Learn more and to register visit the website or email.
Libraries Closed for Easter and ANZAC Day
All Coffs Harbour Libraries will be closed for the Easter break from Friday 7 – Monday 10 April. We will re-open at 10am on Tuesday 11 April.
All Coffs Harbour Libraries will be closed for ANZAC Day on Tuesday 25 April.
You can still visit the website and borrow from our online collections. Listen to an audio book, watch a film or stream some music!!
Watch this Space!
Australian Slam Poetry (APS) will return bigger than ever in 2023.
The Reigning 2022 APS champion is coming to Coffs Harbour Libraries and will run a free workshop on Friday 4 August at 4pm. The APS Heat will take place on Saturday 5 August at 6pm.
Registrations for the workshop and heat will open in July so get your words ready to perform by borrowing the ultimate guide “Slam Your Poetry” written by Miles Merrill, the poet who brought slams down under, and award-winning high school teacher Narcisa Nozica. Slam Your Poetry catapults you from writing to performing to gigging, teaching and kick-starting your own slam community. This book is available at your local library branch.
2023 Stella Prize Shortlist Announced
Have you been following the Stella Prize this year? The shortlist was just announced, winners will be announced on April 27. You can find out more on the Stella website
Keen to read these awesome titles? Reserve them in the library catalogue.
We come with this place by Debra Dank
Big beautiful female theory by Eloise Grills
Indelible City: Dispossession and Defiance in Hong Kong by Lousia Lim
Harry Bailey
Memorial Library
Cnr Coff & Duke Streets
Coffs Harbour
NSW 2450
Tel: (02) 6648 4900
Fax: (02) 6648 4906
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 6.00pm
Saturday
10.00am to 2.00pm
Toormina Library
Minorie Drive
Toormina NSW 2452
Tel: (02) 6648 4925
Fax: (02) 6658 2913
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday
10.00am to 12noon
Woolgoolga Library
Ganderton Street
Woolgoolga NSW 2456
Tel: (02) 6648 4902
Monday to Friday
10.00am to 5.00pm
Saturday
10.00am to 12noon
