July 2023

Celebrate NAIDOC Week with us!

Coffs Harbour Libraries is proud to Celebrate NAIDOC Week (2-9 July 2023).

NAIDOC Storytime

We are bringing the celebrations to each of our library branches with a special NAIDOC Storytime with Uncle Richard.

Put these dates and times below in your calendar

Woolgoolga Library Tuesday 4 July at 10.30 am
Harry Bailey Memorial Library Wednesday 5 July at 10.30 am
Toormina Library Thursday 6 July at 10.30am

Join us, we would love you to be a part of these special storytelling sessions.

Join the NAIDOC Week Reading Challenge

First Nations' Stories & NAIDOC Week Reading Challenge

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Join the Reading Challenge or explore picture books from Story Box Library’s First Nations’ Stories digital collection to discover engaging and inspiring titles for NAIDOC Week and beyond.

Explore First Nations Stories

Enhance your NAIDOC Week experience with our captivating book display

Curated to showcase the rich and diverse collection of First Nations-related items available for borrowing at our libraries.

Let our displays ignite your curiosity and guide you on a journey of discovery, gain new insights, and deepen your understanding of First Nations culture.

Our collection is sure to inspire, educate, and captivate.

What's On

Introducing the Robot-inspired Creative Journal for School Holidays!

This journal will ignite the imaginations of young minds. Inspired by local artist Jodi Masters, affectionately known as the Robot Lady, this journal is packed full of engaging activities and will take your child on a journey into the world of upcycled robot sculptures.

Grab a copy of the Robot-inspired Creative Journal at your local library branch.

Calling all inventors! Robot Making Workshop at Toormina Library

Gear up for fun at Toormina Library as we invite you and your children to our exciting Children's Robot Making Workshop, led by the talented local artist, Jodi Masters.

Under Jodi’s expert guidance, budding inventors will learn the art of transforming everyday objects into marvellous robots. Through this hands-on workshop, your child will embark on a thrilling journey of imagination and engineering.

Bookings essential - Limited to 15 children

Where: Toormina Library
When: Thursday 13 July at 2-3pm

Book for the Robot Workshop here

Pick up your copy of the Creative Journal in your local library

Artist Jodi Masters

Get hands-on with Questacon!

From the National Science and Technology Institute, Questacon's travelling exhibition covers everyday scientific principles and problem-solving puzzles.

The displays offer interactive experiences that will entertain and engage visitors on topics of logic, balance, illusions and mathematical puzzles. Solve mazes, experience the power of magnets and more.

Questacon is at Toormina and Woolgoolga libraries from now until October 6.

Suitable for children aged 8 to 14 years but can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

More details, visit the website

Australian Poetry Slam returns in 2023, this year it’s taking over the Council Chambers!

Coffs Harbour Libraries is hosting a pre-heat workshop on Friday 4 August followed by the Australian Poetry Slam Heat on Saturday 5 August. This popular event leads the heat winner to the NSW Finals.

"Wordshop" - Australian Poetry Slam (APS)

Coffs Harbour Libraries brings the 2022 reigning APS champion to run a free workshop. Tune your poetry and performance with 2022 National Winner Joanne Yang.

When: Friday 4 August 2023, 4-6pm

Where: Council Chambers, City of Coffs Harbour, CNR Coff and Castle St, Coffs Harbour.

Book a spot in the "Wordshop"

Australian Poetry Slam (APS) HEAT - Coffs Harbour

Whether you're performing, joining the live audience, or watching via the live stream, this is the place to be on Saturday 5 August. This is when the competition cranks up and the poetry slams forward. You've got to be in it to win it. And you've got to be there to experience it. At this event, you'll see Chambers lit up like never before.

When: Saturday 5 August 2023, 5.30-8pm

Where: Council Chambers, City of Coffs Harbour, CNR Coff and Castle St, Coffs Harbour.

REGISTER NOW to secure one of 20 spots in the Heat OR book your seat in the live audience

Ben’s Bookclub

Join Ben Hobson in conversation with author Deirdre Macken to discuss her humorous memoir Growing Grapes Might Be Fun.

This event will be hosted on Zoom, and the link will be sent to all attendees on the day of the event.

Deirdre Macken is a journalist, columnist and author. She has written for The Australian Financial Review, the Sydney Morning Herald and its colour magazine, Good Weekend, The Age and The Australian.

During this digital book club, guests will have the opportunity to ask questions, interact with the authors, and enjoy a well-rounded bookish discussion.

About the Title
An honest, very funny account of a couple's move to the country for a fresh start. Bursting with optimism and a can-do attitude, they're on a steep learning curve as they establish a vineyard and learn how things are done in the country.

Find out more and Reserve a spot in the Book Club

Find all programs and event information on the website

Staff faves...

Whether you like to read or listen, our staff have recommended some captivating titles that will help you while away the winter days.

Some of the reviews this month are:

nothing bad ever happens here by Heather Rose
Love and Autism by Kay Kerr
All That’s Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien
Atlas: The Story of Pa Salt by Lucinda Riley and Harry Whittaker
A little life by Hanya Yanagihara

And lots more

Read all the reviews

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.

Read the latest blog post here

Embark on a Staycation Adventure: Discover the Perfect Entertainment at Jetty Memorial Theatre!

Planning a staycation for the upcoming school holidays? Jetty Memorial Theatre has a line-up of fun and interactive shows that will captivate the imaginations of kids aged 0-8. These delightful and engaging entertainment will make your staycation truly memorable.

Scene from A little Bit of Blue

A Little Bit of Blue

Can you help solve the case?
A Little Bit of Blue is an interactive environmental detective story, told with puppetry. As well as unravelling a mystery, it involves learning about the unique habits of an extraordinary Australian animal, the Satin Bowerbird, and their fascination for the colour blue. It is a fun frolicking mix of Detective Noir, slapstick, combined with learning about this intriguing creature.

A Little Bit of Blue at Jetty Theatre
Wednesday 12 July: 10am and 1pm
Thursday 13 July: 10am
Book tickets for A Little Bit of Blue at Jetty Theatre

A Little Bit of Blue- Puppetry of Paper Workshop
Wednesday 12 July: 11am
Book tickets for A Little Bit of Blue- Puppetry of Paper Workshop

A Little Bit of Blue at Coramba Community Hall
Friday 14 July: 11am
Book tickets for A Little Bit of Blue at Coramba Community Hall

Tiptoe Giants

Bring the kids along to see TIPTOE GIANTS for a boogie and sing-along. Tiptoe Giants celebrate the beauty of our world and the diversity of our communities with their original bops. A perfect first show for even the littlest little ones.

Tiptoe Giants at Jetty Theatre
Wednesday 5 June: 10.30am
Book tickets for Tiptoe Giants

Visit the Jetty Memorial Theatre website for more information about upcoming shows.

Jetty Memorial Theatre

Explore Limitless Possibilities with Our Online Collections!

As a library member, you have access to a realm of knowledge and entertainment with our extensive and ever-expanding online resources.

Discover a vast library of ebooks, audiobooks and magazines for all interests and ages. Explore databases for research and personal growth. Immerse yourself in a world of streaming movies and music.

Here's a glimpse of what you can find:

indyreads
If you are an avid reader or belong to an online book club, you can explore the ‘Available Now’ and ‘Untapped: Australian Classics Collection’ carousels on indyreads. Both carousels contain a great selection of books with simultaneous use licences, meaning an unlimited number of people can read the book at the same time.

Overdrive
Our Overdrive collection includes a wide range of eAudiobook, eBook and eMagazine titles that you can access anytime, anywhere through the Libby app. All you need to get started in Libby is your device, your library card number and Password/PIN number.

Cloud Library
Featuring a selection of e-Book & e-Audiobook titles including popular Australian authors, this is a growing collection. You will need your library card and password to access this resource. You can borrow up to 5 items for 28 days.

Mango Languages
Always wanted to learn a new language? Mango is an online language-learning system that teaches actual conversation skills for 72+ different languages, as well as courses tailored to native speakers of 14 different languages.

Learn on the go or offline, on desktop, or mobile — absolutely free.

To access all of these and more, visit the Online Collections on the website. All you need is your library card to begin.