Children's Activities
The Gannawarra Library Service is renowned for their innovative children's activities, which vary from Spooky Stories in the Cemetery to Small Age Rampages for littlies on the library lawn. Story time, film nights/days, Harry Potter activities and "Special times" children displays are some of the activities and displays held at all branches. Storytime for Preschoolers and toddlers is held in the Kerang Library at 11am on Tuesday mornings, while the Cohuna and Leitchville librarians conduct weekly story and borrowing sessions for Preschool children.
Children's Book Week is also well promoted within the library service, with primary school and some secondary school students being taken on guided tours through the new library at Kerang. Library staff are very involved with Children's Book Week each August. Kerang staff judge a section of the ever growing schools' book writing competition and display all childrens' short-listed books during that week, and usually for three to four weeks afterwards. Cohuna and Leithville librarians award a special Gannawarra Library Service prize to an entrant in Cohuna Consolidated School's Bookweek Writing Competition, take part in the school's book parade ceremony and display short listed books in the Cohuna Library over the September school holidays.
Activities for the Elderly
The Gannawarra Library Service caters well for the elderly. In 2002 a pilot scheme was established at Cohuna Library, called LibraryLink, which involves transportation for the elderly to the library by library staff, allowing the patrons to then choose their books, have a chat and afternoon tea before returning them to their homes. This fortnightly event has proved very successful and enjoyable for those involved, and is planned for other branches in the future.
A service also operates in all branches to cater for those who are unable to attend the library. Volunteers and staff work together to select and deliver print and audio books to housebound borrowers.
Activities for the Wider Community
The Library Service offers activities to suit all age groups, including cemetery walks, storytelling, writers' workshops and the launching of displays to coincide with special events. The Library Service, in conjunction with the State Library of Victoria Writers on the Road program, conducts regular writers' workshops, and these have proved to be very popular with budding writers and readers alike.
The Kerang Library provides a small gallery for the use of the community to present displays such as local craft, photography and historical artifacts. The Kerang Library also provides a meeting room free of charge for non-profit community benefit groups. WHAT'S ON AT THE LIBRARY?
An exhibit from the Swan Hill Gallery, The Bubblewrap Show will be on display in the foyer of the Kerang Library from Monday 1st December until 22nd December.
