Summer Reading Celebrations!

Dancing with the Magical Mountains troupe.
Check out Facebook for more photos.

Well, its another year over for the Summer Reading Challenge - and what an amazing effort by all the kids who participated.

We had over 834 children join, with approximately
4,810 books in total being read over the Summer Reading period.

Ferntree Gully Library had the highest reading record sheets returned for one child, numbering at 12 - which means this particular reading whiz read 120 books. Knox Library followed, with at least one child powering through 70 books throughout the challenge. What a fabulous effort for these kids to put in!

To celebrate all our kids' achievements (yes, we librarians are so very proud!!), we held this year's Summer Reading Party at the Mooroolbark Community Centre. With a turnout of around 150 children, we were joined by The Magical Mountains Children's Live Entertainment performers. Amongst our special guests were Stewie the Koala, Locky Cocky, Breanna the Gum Tree and Suzie Roo who delighted our young audience with much singing and dancing.

Of special note are some of our Summer Reading Club Winners. From Lilydale library we have our Reading Winner Nicholas. Our Non-Reader award went to Harley, who shared his love of books with his older brother Jack, who read them all to his little brother. Congratulations, guys!! You can see our winners on our Facebook Page.

Well done to all the children who participated in the Summer Reading Challenge this year - and a big shout out to all the parents and teachers who encouraged the love of reading in their kids. Also, kudos to all our Youth Services Librarians - with Sue, Trudi, Rowanne and Hannah (she was also Breanna the Gum Tree!) for organising the party. Thank you everyone and look forward to seeing you all for  the next Summer Reading Challenge!

For more photos of our Summer Reading Challenge party, visit our Facebook Page.

School Holidays were a Smash with Record Turn-outs!! Favourite Events Recapped

School Holiday Activities were an absolute hit this year. We had approximately 5,736 children and parents attend over 50 events across the region. That has beaten our record for this time last year!! Woohoo!!

Here are some of the highlights from a few of our branches.

Lilydale Library
Magic Punch & Judy Show with Professor Dee-Jay

There were many giggles and delighted gasps from our young audience as they were entertained by the hilarious antics of Professor Dee-Jay. The Punch and Judy puppet show was also fantastic - such classic entertainment.

Rowville Library
CARP Productions 2012 Bookweek Show

There is always a fantastic turnout for CARP Productions - the kids just love them. Based on the 2012 Book Week short list, CARP Productions were an absolute delight to our audience at Rowville. With lots of bright costumes and music, children watched as their favourite storybook characters came to life. What a way to insipre young children to read!

Ringwood Library
The Flash Twinkle Toes Silly Circus Show

In one word - AMAZING. This show was completely packed out, as children were enticed into fits of giggles as they watched accomplished circus performer and puppeteer, Flash (pictured left). Through many circus feats of plate spinning, magic and contact juggling, everyone had a ball of a time.

Mt Evelyn Library
Yarra Woodworkers

Dads and Grandads were able to get in on the School Holiday fun by joining the kids for the Yarra Woodworkers Workshop. With a choice of bird houses, trinket boxes, tool boxes and more - children were assisted in putting together their wood-working project and decorating it.

Join the fun at Ferntree Gully Library for the Knox Festival this weekend

Ferntree Gully Library is the place to be this weekend as it's Knox Festival time. The library will be open with extended hours for the festival.

Saturday 10am-5pm
Sunday 10am-4pm

Address: Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Hwy, Ferntree Gully
Google map - Ferntree Gully Library

The library has a range of activities for kids:
 
Saturday 3rd March
Bopping with Bethany 
When: 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm
Dance along with Bethany as she sings some of the latest hits - High School Musical, Hanna Montana, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift and many others. Learn some new dance steps


Create a Cartoon with professional cartoonist Bradfield Dumpleton
When: 11-11:30am, 12-12:30pm, 1-1:30pm, 2-2:30pm, 3-4pm


Sunday 4th March
Clowning Around with Ron the Clown
When: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm


Create a Cartoon with professional cartoonist Bradfield Dumpleton
When: 11:30-12, 12:30-1pm, 1:30-2pm, 2:30-4pm
 

All Weekend

• Read along with Sue: Storytime on the big screen
• Have your face painted
• Create a piece of art with Artrageous
• See the local primary schools art project
• Free Wifi and Internet
• Information point for the Festival

Transport & parking: A free shuttle bus between Ferntree Gully Railway Station & Knox Festival from 11am to 5pm - leaving every 20 minutes on the hour. Shuttle can only accommodate two wheelchairs per trip.

Parking - St Joseph's College (entry via Brenock Park Drive) $2 (spaces limited). Disabled parking is available at St Joseph's College, or on site through the Glenfern Road gate.

Drop Off Zone - Family Drop Off Zone is along Brenock Park Drive to drop off and pick up children and family attending the event. 

Cheers, webgurl

Bright Star for Babies 4-6 months

Share songs, rhymes and stories with your baby in this special six week program.

Places limited.

When: Wednesday 1st February 2pm
Where: Boronia Library, Park Crescent, Boronia
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential. For further information and bookings contact Bernadette on 9762 4099 or book online - Bright Star

Cheers, Maryanne

Christmas craft for kids - Snow globes

Join in the Christmas craft fun at the library: make a snow globe and an origami star decoration for your christmas tree.

BYO small jar with screw top lid (must be water tight)

When: Thursday 24th November 4pm
Where: Healesville Library, 110 River Street, Healesville
Cost: Free event
Ages: 4+ years
Bookings essential phone 59624423 or book online - Snow globes

Cheers, Maryanne

Lost in Space - kids take a tour of the Solar System with Dr James Murray

Take a tour of the solar system with James Murray.  Learn how to draw the planets and even make models!

When: Friday 30th September 11am
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Ages: Primary school children
Cost: $4
Bookings essential phone 97547266

Cheers, Maryanne

Want to do 2 hours study in 10 minutes? Bill Handley shows you how

Join author Bill Handley who will teach us how to study effectively.

• Learn how to overcome exam nerves
• Learn more in less time with less effort
• Improve concentration and understanding

Great for students of all ages.

When: Thursday 8th September 6:30pm
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97547266 or book online - Bill Handley

Cheers, Maryanne

Can't make it during the week? Come to our Saturday Storytime

Bring Mum and Dad and come to our special Saturday Storytime.

Our very Special Saturday Storytellers have loads of exciting tales to tell. Choose your library and time and come and join us.


Saturday 1st October
11am - Boronia Library
1:30pm Rowville Library

Saturday 15th October
11am - Ferntree Gully Library
1:30pm - Knox Library

Saturday 5th November
11am - Boronia Library
1:30pm - Rowville Library

Saturday 19th November
11am - Ferntree Gully Library
1:30pm - Knox Library

Cheers, Maryanne

Come to the Father's Day events at our libraries

Come along to the Father's Day events at our libraries.

Father's Day Workshop 
Crafty Kids @ Boronia - Make Dad something special for Father's Day

When: Wednesday 31st August 4pm
Where: Boronia Library, Park Crescent, Boronia
Cost: $3
Ages: 5+ years
Bookings essential phone 97624099 or book online - Father's Day workshop


Father's Day Storytime
Bring the whole family to celebrate Father's Day with a special storytime and activity. Dads, uncles, grandfathers, etc. all welcome! This is an opportunity to share the library storytime with your children, especially if you are unavailable during weekdays.

When: Friday 2nd September 7pm & Saturday 3rd September 2pm
Where: Rowville Library, Stud Park Shopping Centre, Stud Road, Rowville
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92941300 or book online - Father's Day storytime

Cheers, Maryanne

Book into the fantastic July holiday activities at our libraries

I've just uploaded the July holiday activity program and there's a huge amount of cool activities for kids including performances from

• Paul Jameson - The Music Man
• Carp Productions
• Bopping with Bethany
• Wind in the Willows retelling
• Garden fairies

In addition some of the craft activities include:

• Wooden spoon puppets
• Beaded jewellery with Heidi
• Dream catchers
• Wood workshops

Book in quickly to avoid disappointment!

Cheers, Maryanne

Spells, squibs and howlers! Come along to the Harry Potter quiz to end them all

Take your place in the quiz halls of fame and glory! Our Harry Potter quizzes are enjoyed by both hardcore and casual fans.

• Dress up as your favorite character 
• Magical creatures true or false
• Name that spell quiz
• Seen that scene (video quiz)
• Magical feast and tasty treats (pizza and snacks)
• Door raffle to win great prizes

When: Wednesday 17th November 5:30-7pm
Where: Croydon Library, Civic Square, Croydon
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 92945640 or book online - Harry Potter

Cheers, Maryanne

Spooky stories with Galosh the Gnome at Halloween Happening

Halloween is a special time and to celebrate Galosh the Gnome will be joining us for a special spooky Storytime. Stay on for a piece of our spookalicious Halloween cake.

Suitable for ages 5 – 10

When: Sunday 31st October 1:30pm
Where: Lilydale Library, Anderson St, Lilydale
Cost:  $3 per child
Bookings essential phone 92943120

Cheers, Maryanne

Celebrate Children's Week 2010 with Mary Mary and her canary

Loads of fun with children's entertainer Mary Mary and her forgetful canary Clare.

When: Wednesday 27th October 11am
Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 9754 7266 or book online - Mary Mary

Cheers, Maryanne

Fractured fairytales at Croydon Library this morning

This morning the local parents and their children were treated to a brilliant fairy show provided by Carp Productions. It was loud, exciting and hilariously silly to
boot. We had an overall crowd of around 60-65 parents and kids, with some walk-ins to make up numbers.

Fun was had by all, especially the kings and queens from the audience that got to tell everybody what to do! A big thanks to Carp and a big thanks to Croydon
staff for managing the sudden child influx in the library.

Adam, Youth Services Librarian, Croydon Library

We've got lots of cool actvities on at Eastern Regional Libraries during the holidays so check out the holiday program (pdf, 199 KB, 2 pages) and book online via our calendar.

Cheers, Maryanne

Join us at Boronia for 'Storytime in the Mall'

Come join us in the Boronia Mall (next to the Post Office) for some very special storytimes.

Monday - Under the Sea
Tuesday - Stomping Dinosaurs
Wednesday - Cheeky Monkeys
Thursday - As Quiet as Mice
Friday - Bob the Builder

When: Monday 20th - Friday 24th September 10am & 2pm daily
Where: Boronia Library, Park Crescent, Boronia
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97624099

Cheers, Maryanne

Having trouble with Maths? Bill Handley makes Maths fun

Speed Maths

Learn to solve problems simplier and quicker with Bill Handley's Speed Maths.  You'll be multiplying 96 x 97 in your head in no time!  For the whole family.  Teachers welcome.

When: Saturday 11th September 10:30am
Where: Boronia Library, Park Crescent, Boronia
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97624099


Fun with Maths
Bill Handley from Learning Unlimited takes the work out of learning and makes it fun!

Discover learning and math strategies that will astound you! A session for children and parents together.

When: Tuesday 14th September 6:30pm
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 97268200

Cheers, Maryanne

Halloween Hullabaloo for kids

The biggest event in the ERL calendar is almost upon us. Yes it's Boronia Library's Halloween Hullabaloo for kids. Come dressed in your best costumes (oh yes, there are some incredibly creative ones and we love when the parents get in the spirit as well (pun intended). See Carp Production's show Where things go bump in the night! and eat freaky food. Be there or be scared.

Even though Carolyn (left) has moved to Knox Library she will still be co-ordinating Halloween. What crazy costume will she be making this year? Hmmm.....I don't even know.

Bookings are essential & you'd better be quick.

When: Friday 30th October 6:30pm
Where: Boronia Library, Park Cr, Boronia
Cost: $4 per child pay on the night
Bookings essential phone 97624099

Cheers, Maryanne

Pete the Plumber rides the Water Cycle

An interactive show with singing, dancing and musical instruments made from plumbing equipment. Meet DROPPO, his pet drop of water as it slips and slides through the water cycle. Both educating and entertaining.

Check out Pete the plumber's website.

We have 2 sessions on the one day; Mooroolbark & Yarra Junction

When: Wednesday 30th September 11am
Where: Mooroolbark Library, 7 Station Street, Mooroolbark
Cost: $4 per child
Bookings essential phone 97268200

When: Wednesday 30th September 2pm
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Cost: $4 per child
Bookings essential phone 59671588

Cheers, Maryanne

Yoga for parents with preschoolers

Join Sheila in a yoga session for yourself and involve your child.

When: Tuesday mornings at 9:30am
Where: Yarra Junction Library, Hoddle Street, Yarra Junction
Cost: Free event
No need to book, just come along. Enquiries phone 59671588

Cheers, Maryanne

Bring a Graphic Novel to Life - Animation Workshop

Move over Wallace and Gromit! Knox Youth Services and Eastern Regional Libraries invite young people 10-25 to participate in a free hands-on animation workshop with Gregg Brown from Playanimation. You will learn skills including: animation principles, character and set design and filming.

You will get free food and a free DVD of the final animation.

When: Saturday 11th July 10am-2pm
Where: Knox Library, 425 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South
Cost: Free event
Bookings essential phone 98011422

Cheers, Maryanne