Mt Evelyn Library re-opens May 1st 2014

Yarra Ranges Council has just posted a press release on their website announcing the following:

Eastern Regional Libraries has been asked by Yarra Ranges Council to manage library services from the Mt Evelyn Library Station House from Thursday 1 May 2014.

The Library will be open to the public and staffed by Eastern Regional Libraries. PCs and WiFi will be available and the after-hours chute will return.

Opening hours
Monday: 10.00am-1.00pm
Tuesday: 10.00am-1.00pm
Wednesday: 2.30pm-5.30pm
Thursday: 2.30pm-5.30pm
Friday: 2.30pm-5.30pm

The Reading Room will be closed from Monday 14th April - Thursday 1st May to prepare the library. 

Outstanding loans
Members with outstanding loans from Mt Evelyn may either return the items to another ERL branch (Lilydale and Montrose are the closest) or return the items to Mt Evelyn after 1st May and no overdue charges will be applied.

We apologise for the short notice and will update members as any further news comes to hand. If you have any queries you can contact the Yarra Ranges Council on their Facebook Page or via phone on 1300 368 333.

The Virtual Team

What's Your Story Photography Competition

Do you love photography? Do you have a story that can only be told with the most perfect picture? What's your story??

In celebration of Youth Week 2014, Eastern Regional Libraries will be launching the "What's your Story" Photography Competition. Tell a story with your images... Show us who or what rocks your world; what do you get up to or where you chill out. Tell us - what's your story!


Prizes
Junior Category 12-16 years: $100 cash prize + your entry printed on canvas
Senior Category 17-25 years: $200 cash prize +your entry printed on canvas
People's Choice: $100 cash prize + your entry printed on canvas
Highly Commended: $50 Croydon Camera House voucher

How to Enter
Entrants may submit two photos taken by a camera or mobile device and must write a short paragraph describing how each image tells "your story".

• Competition eligible for those aged 12 - 25 years old.
• Entrants must reside in Knox, Maroondah or Yarra Ranges Council areas and be a member of  Eastern Regional Libraries.
• Competition entry is Free.

What's Your Story Photography Competition Entry Form
Terms & Conditions

The What's Your Story Photography Competition will open midday Friday 4 April 2014. Competition closes 5:00pm Friday 2 May, 2014.

Competition will be judged by Croydon Camera House. Winners will be announced Friday, 9th May 2014.

Total Fire Ban - Knox & Ranges Outreach Update

Important Notices for Today - Tuesday March 11th:

The Ranges Outreach will not be going to Warburton due to Total Fire Ban.

The Knox Outreach will not be going to The Basin due to Total Fire Ban.

If you have any queries, don't hesitate to contact us here on Facebook or via phone on 1300 737 277.

ERL Branches Closed Labour Day

Eastern Regional Libraries branches will be closed on Monday 10th March for the Labour Day Public Holiday.

Book chutes will be accessible for book returns.

For any queries, please don't hesitate to call 1300 737 277 or drop us a line on our Facebook Page.

Enjoy your long weekend!

cheers,
The Virtual Team

Morrison's House Closure at Mt Evelyn

The Shire of Yarra Ranges has issued the following statement regarding the Morrison's House closure in Mt Evelyn.


MORRISONS CLOSURE SAD NEWS FOR THE YARRA RANGES

Yarra Ranges Council was saddened to learn that the Board of Morrisons has determined to cease operations as of 30 April 2014.

Yarra Ranges Director Social and Economic Development Ali Wastie said since Morrisons establishment in 1975, it had become a well respected community education provider.

“Morrisons has a proud history of offering quality learning and engagement opportunities for our community,” Ms Wastie said.

“Over the years Council has enjoyed a strong partnership with Morrisons to deliver a range of programs and activities that support life long learning and social inclusion,” she said.

Ms Wastie said Morrisons would be sadly missed by community members when it closed in April.

“We understand there will be a disruption to services currently offered by Morrisons.

“Council officers will continue to engage with Morrisons, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the Department of Human Services and other community organisations to help minimise any impact on the community.”



At the moment the Community Reading Room at the Station House will continue to operate as normal.

If you have any queries you can contact the Yarra Ranges Council on their Facebook Page or via phone on 1300 368 333.



The Virtual Team

Starred this Month - Highlights for February 2014

There is always something going on at Eastern Regional, and this month there were several stand-out events.

Stephen Wilson Cooking Demonstrations
This month we saw cooking demonstrations by popular local chef, Stephen Wilson, who delighted his audience with Sweet Treats for Valentine's Day. Of special note, Stephen has announced an upcoming cookbook featuring recipes he has demonstrated within the library. Way to go, Stephen! It is still a work in progress, but we here at ERL are excited to see the finished publication. Additionally, Stephen has also started his very own Facebook Page called Chilled Out Cooking - so all you Stephen Wilson fans out there can continue to stay up to date with tips, tricks, recipes and more cooking demonstrations at the library.


 Big Welcome to Rusty Arnold
We had a new member of staff join ERL. Meet Rusty Arnold, the new storytime bear at Ferntree Gully. Rusty was very kindly donated by a generous library member who thought Rusty would be favourite amongst the kids. He stands at almost 2 metres when fully upright, and around 1 1/2 metres when sitting down. As for weight, well, he is rather shy about that (aren't we all!) but there have been reports of mysterious disappearances of the tea bickies over night... that naughty bear. So far, Rusty has proved extremely popular with the young crowd at Ferntree Gully, and he is pictured here with Children's Librarian, Sue.

New Mobile Timetables
Eastern Regional Libraries has updated their mobile library service timetables for the Knox Outreach and Yarra Ranges Outreach vehicles.

There have been some significant changes to some of the stops and times for both Knox and Yarra Ranges. The new timetable are available and ready to download.

Knox Outreach Timetable 2014

Yarra Ranges Outreach Timetable 2014

Australia's Favourite Library
 Last year, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) went in search of Australia's Favourite Librarian, in which 4 of our ERL comrades were nominated. This year, ALIA is looking to spread the love even further by finding Australia's Favourite Library.

We are pleased to announce that all of our branches as well as both of our mobile services have been nominated!! A big thank you to everyone for showing their support by nominating us, it is greatly appreciated.

Voting for Australia's Favourite Library opens on 14 March to the 22 April 2014 - we will provide links when the voting has opened. We look forward to being in the running and having you cast your vote!

Cheers,
The Virtual Team

Job Opportunities at Eastern Regional

Do you love books, reading and value good customer service? Do you like to tinker with new technologies?


Then perhaps working for the library is the place for you!


We have an opening for Casual Information Officers & Customer Service Officers. If this sounds like just what you've been looking for, head over to our website for all the position details.


Join the team at Eastern Regional - we'd love to have you!

Casual Information Officer & Customer Service Officer Details

Applications close 5:00pm Friday, 7 March 2014.

Love your Library? Nominate Us for Australia's Favourite Library!

Do you LOVE your library? Want to help your library achieve the honour of being "Australia's Favourite Library"? Well now you can!

Last year, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) went in search of Australia's Favourite Librarian, in which 4 of our ERL comrades were nominated. This year, ALIA is looking to spread the love even further by finding Australia's Favourite Library.

Nominations are open from now til the 14th of March after which you can vote online from the nominated libraries. If your library is special to you, show them some love by nominating!

Nominate your Favourite Library!
Phone: 02 6215 8222
Nominate via email to media@alia.org.au
Nominate Online

For more info, visit Australia's Favourite Library on the ALIA website.