This April, join us for World of Imagination school holiday fun, celebrate Youth Week and explore our handpicked recipe books and community reading recommendations to find your next read.
Plus, exciting new after-school programs are on the horizon, our Wednesday Wellness Series continues and the Narranga Public School Community Hub Sewing Group is stitching up a storm in the Make Space.
All this and more in your April Library Newsletter!
StoryBite Masterclass
Where: Harry Bailey Memorial Library
When: Tuesday 15 April
Love writing? Got a head full of ideas? Join StoryBite, a fun and interactive short fiction masterclass delivered by writing experts, StoryBoard, where you’ll craft your own original story from scratch!
Video Editing Workshop
Where: Digital Studio, Level 1, Yarrila Place
When: Thursday 24 April
Join our hands-on video editing workshop and take your skills to the next level! Learn how to create next-level videos, master multi-camera angles, professional lighting and edits to make your videos pop. Ages 14-24.
In Motion: Create Your Own Crankie Story
Where: All locations
When: Multiple dates
Explore the art of visual storytelling in our hands-on crankie theatre workshop! Kids will explore storytelling, sketch their own storyboards and transform them into a working crankie theatre! Bookings essential. For ages 7-12.
A visit from Fairy Poppilina
Where: Toormina & Harry Bailey Memorial Libraries
When: Wednesday 16 April
Get ready for an enchanting adventure with the most playful and loyal literature fairy, the one and only Fairy Poppilina! She’s bringing a dash of magic, a sprinkle of fun, and a whole lot of imagination to this session, where stories come to life and dreams take flight. For ages 2-8.
NEW - STEAM with a SNAP!
Where: All locations
When: Multiple dates
Get ready for bite-sized bursts of science, technology, engineering, art, and math fun! Each school holidays, we bring you a fresh mix of fast, fun, and hands-on challenges that spark curiosity and creativity.
NEW - Family Games Day
Where: All locations
When: Multiple dates
Games for everyone to play and explore! Self-led games stations feature a variety of family-friendly games - encouraging creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Make Your Own Animatronic Animal!
Where: Digital Studio, Level 1, Yarrila Place
When: Thursday 17 April
Join local artist Emma Davies for a hands-on STEAM workshop. Use simple materials to bring your own entertaining robot creature to life—whether it’s a kangaroo, or something entirely of your own. For ages 8+.
Nature Illustration Workshop
Where: The Education Centre, North Coast Botanic Garden
When: Sunday 4 May
After the sell-out Nature Illustration Workshop, we are bringing it back for one final session. Same time, same content. Step into the serene beauty of the Botanic Garden in Coffs and discover the delicate art of nature sketching. Don’t miss your tickets!
View the full list of Youth Week 2025 events here:
View the full list of autumn school holidays events here:
Regular Children’s Programs on Break
Please note our regular children’s programs are paused during the NSW school holidays. We look forward to welcoming you back for Baby Rhyme Time, Storytime, Duplo, and Dress-ups in Term 2, 2025.
NEW! Toormina After-School LEGO Club
Where: Toormina Library
When: Term 2, Thursdays, after school
After-school LEGO Club is coming to Toormina! This program is a great opportunity for kids to challenge themselves with fun building tasks, develop critical thinking and make new friends. Bookings required, limited spots. Ages 7-12.
Note: Woopi after school LEGO club will continue next term at Woolgoolga Library, bookings required.
Tech Savvy Seniors is coming to Toormina Library
Where: Toormina Library
When: Fridays, 2 May - 13 June, 10.15am-12:30pm
Ready to boost your tech confidence? Tech Savvy is coming to Toormina for a 7-week series, offering hands-on learning in a friendly and supportive space. Limited spots available - secure your place today!
Note: Tech Savvy at Harry Bailey Memorial Library will take a short break over Easter and return at the end of April.
Wednesday Morning Wellness
Where: Harry Bailey Memorial Library, Yarrila Place
When: Wednesday mornings
Join us every Wednesday at Harry Bailey Memorial Library for our Morning Wellness series! Each week, discover new ways to boost your health and happiness. Work on your project, join the yarn-bombing at Craft & Connect, play games, challenge your brain, or unwind with Chair Yoga. There’s something for everyone! Connect, have fun, and make the library your well-being hub!
Craft & Connect
Looking for a creative outlet and a chance to connect with fellow crafters and develop your craft skills? The perfect monthly gathering for craft lovers of all skill levels.
Casual Games Morning
Enjoy a cup of coffee and a friendly morning of games, join in on the classics, and dapple in some new, quick-to learn games. Second Wednesday, monthly. Advance bookings encouraged.
Brain Training
Enjoy a relaxed social environment with brain-stimulating exercises designed to enhance memory, focus, and problem-solving abilities. Third Wednesday, monthly. Advance bookings encouraged.
Chair Yoga
Seeking to improve your flexibility, reduce stress, or improve posture? For a morning of self-care, join our gentle yet effective Chair Yoga class Third Wednesday, monthly. Advance bookings encouraged.
Casual Writer's Room
Where: Harry Bailey Memorial Library
When: 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. 1-5pm
This casual space provides writers the opportunity to come together, write, exchange ideas, and connect in a relaxed environment. Feel free to stay for the whole session or drop in whenever you'd like. Join us to meet fellow writers, spark your creativity, and get inspired!
Sustainable Living Series
From composting and seed saving to permaculture and seasonal gardening, with 12 exciting workshops to choose from across the Coffs Coast, the Sustainable Living Series offers practical skills to support a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
StoryBox Hub
StoryBox Hub is the home of the widely celebrated resources, StoryBox Library and Story Tools - helping young writers master the art of crafting great stories.
StoryBox Library enables children to view stories by local authors and illustrators, being read aloud by fantastic, predominantly Australian storytellers.
Story Tools is a fun and engaging series designed to help students in grades 3-6 unlock their storytelling potential.
Visit the library website and use your library card number to get started!
Anzac Day – 110 Years Since the Gallipoli Campaign
Anzac Day, April 25, honours Australian men and women who served in wars, conflicts, and peace operations. This year marks 110 years since the Gallipoli Campaign.
While all Coffs Harbour Libraries will be closed, we offer resources to help you reflect on their bravery and sacrifice of those who served.
Browse the catalogue for your next great read.
What's Hot this Month?
What you're reading...
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
An engaging read with interesting characters giving insight into the world of space. Appalled by the amount of refuse that accumulates and the debris in space – is it another instance of man's indifference to the natural world in the pursuit of colonisation?
The waiting by Michael Connelly
A good read that flows well and maintains a solid interest for the reader. Interesting twists and turns.
Check out staff recommendations
52 ways to walk: the surprising science of walking for wellness and joy, one week at a time by Annabel Streets
An inspiring and informative handbook that presents 52 different ways to walk, one for each week of the year. I have been learning all about what happens to us especially on a spiritual level when we:
Walk by the ocean
Walk with friends
Walk alone
Walk backwards
Walk in the rain
Among trees ...you get the idea! Best book I’ve read this year so far.
~ Tony
The Season by Helen Garner
What a delight this book is! I haven’t finished it yet, but I’m really enjoying it. Helen Garner calls it a “nanna’s book about footy,” and while it is, it’s also so much more. She follows her grandson’s AFL season but really aims to connect with him as he grows into adulthood. I love her vivid descriptions of the game, the boys on the field, their families, and the landscapes around her. As someone not big on sports, I’m surprised by how much I’m enjoying it. Garner’s writing is simply wonderful!
~ Jann
Mr McGee and the elephants by Pamela Allen
Pamela Allen is a timeless children’s author. She uses lots of rhyme and repetition, so children are fully entertained. One of my favourites is “Mr McGee and the elephants”. Tea, elephants, mud and jam sandwiches make for a delightful and humorous tale that your child is bound to love! The Library has many of Pamela Allen’s books in our picture book collection.
~ Mel
Liars by James O’Loghlin
Mystery surrounds three deaths connected to a small NSW coastal town. With an unpopular proposed beachside development causing friction in the town there is plenty to keep the reader engaged. It is a very modern narrative using text messages and podcasts to advance the plot and fill in any gaps.
~ Dot
Shame and the captives by Thomas Keneally
Great read, especially if you're into history and understanding different cultures.
~ Bob
Dissolution by C.J. Sansom
A murder mystery set in the 16th Century. C. J. Sansom takes you back to Henry VIII times where the King proclaims himself head of the Church. A great historical fiction that keeps you turning the page with gasps and surprises along the way.
~ Mel
Tech Savvy Seniors
We've been having a great time during our 7-week Tech Savvy Seniors series at Wiigulga Sports Complex. With hands-on learning and a supportive atmosphere, participants have boosted their tech confidence, learnt new skills and tackled digital challenges. The sessions were packed with practical tips, and we loved seeing everyone grow in their tech knowledge. A big thank you to all who joined stay tuned for more opportunities to sharpen your digital skills!
Coming Soon! Library Borrow Bags
The talented sewers from Narranga Public School Community Hub Sewing Group have been busy making Library Borrow bags, crafted with love from donated materials! Stay tuned for more information on the release of these reusable bags!
Easter and ANZAC Closures
The library will be closed for four days, from Friday 18 April - Monday 21 April. During this time, after-hours library chutes will also be unavailable. Any books or resources due during this period will have their loan periods automatically extended.
We will reopen from Tuesday 22 - Thursday 24 April, then close again for ANZAC Day on Friday 25 April. Regular hours will resume on Saturday 26 April.
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
