Something for everyone in libraries these days

There’s something for everyone to enjoy at Campbelltown City Libraries during the 50^th annual Library and Information Week May 21-27.

 Library and Information Week started in 1968 and gives libraries and information services the chance to showcase their resources, facilities events and services to the community.

The theme for this year’s event, sponsored by Booktopia, is Find Yourself in a Library.

Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr George Brticevic, said Library and Information Week was a great opportunity for residents of all ages to discover, or rediscover, the services and resources available at their local library.

“Libraries have changed a lot since I was a child, and are virtually unrecognisable from the silent, book filled rooms that our older residents would have grown up with,” he said.

“No longer do you get shushed for speaking above a whisper. Nor are libraries merely homes for books and places to study or read in silence. Our libraries have evolved with the times and have embraced new technology.

“These days, our libraries stock audio books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and even novelty cake tins.

[social_quote duplicate=”yes” align=”default”]“People can come in to use computers for free, hold meetings and, in Eagle Vale Central, have a cup of coffee and pay their rates.”[/social_quote]

Campbelltown City Libraries have almost 90,000 members who borrow an average of 36,000 items each month. More than half a million people have visited the libraries in the past year.

The libraries’ programs are growing and becoming more popular, with 635 sessions being held in 2017 and more than 12,400 attendees.

Library and Information Week is known for National Simultaneous Storytime.

Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, preschools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.

This year’s book is Hickory Dickory Dash by Tony Wilson and Laura Wood.

It will be read at 11am on Wednesday, May 23.

Families that wish to attend should arrive at HJ Daley Library at 10.30am and other Campbelltown City libraries at 10.45am.

The new ARTLIB program will also be launched during Library and Information Week on Thursday, May 24 at Greg Percival Library at 5pm.

ARTLIB is a collaboration between Campbelltown City Library and Campbelltown Arts Centre that bring local artists into libraries across the city for a series of talks. Each talk will feature the work of a local artist and allow interested members of the public to discover how the work was created, what techniques were used and what inspired the artist.

Other events planned for Library and Information Week will include:

Monday 21 May

Baby Read ’n’ Rhyme session at HJ Daley Library at 10.30am

Thursday 24 May

PJ Storytime at Glenquarie Library at 6pm