celebrating birdsland

Birdsland then and now, a fascinating local history event.

 

Belgrave’s Birdsland Reserve and surrounds are prized by local walkers and nature lovers. Almost everyone has their own Birdsland story.  

The area serves as wildlife corridor, flood retarding basin, wetland, indigenous plant nursery and environment education centre, as well as providing a large network of walking and cycling trails.

Yet Birdsland’s calmness belies a dramatic and, at times tragic, history of pioneers and politics.

In this local history event hear a panel of speakers with first-hand connections relate the historic milestones of this much loved land, and share your own knowledge with others.

Speakers include:

Marion Preston, of Nixon Rd speaking on the early pioneers tragedies & hardships focusing on Dargon, Nixon and Brandt.
Betty Marsden, on the Shire's purchase of the property
Kelly O'Brien, on the present varied uses and significance of the reserve

Where: Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave

When:  Thursday 9 Oct at 1:30pm
Cost: Free, but bookings required 9754 7266 or online

 

tomorrow's library coming?

Earlier this year I had the role of presenting to the Ministerial Advisory Council on Public Libraries as part of the Tomorrow's Library consultations. The MAC was set up as a response to the sudden news that the government was reducing funding for our libraries (which was later restored - see blog). The MAC undertook consultations across Victoria to learn what people wanted from their libraries, but the one proviso was that this part of the review was not about funding and it wasn't appropriate to mention it.

I started the presentation by setting the Yarra Ranges context. The dispersed nature of our population provides some unique challenges in providing library services across the municipality. I talked about the challenge of maintaining an adequate collection across 7 branch and 2 mobile libraries and the difficulty of funding this as current state government funding formulas do not recognise the additional pressures that are placed on interface councils like Yarra Ranges.

Current per capita funding for book stock in Yarra Ranges is $3.78 even though the baseline is $5.56 - of this 19.8% is from the state government, or .75cents per capita. It's pretty difficult to talk about library services without mentioning funding, it's such a critical part of the equation.

The state government is due to release the stage one report in November, let's hope there's proper recognition of the challenges we face so we can turn the discussion on how the state can adequately fund libraries into the future.

more pcs for belgrave library

Cr Samantha Dunn checking out the PCs
at the Belgrave Library.

I’ve played a key role in the development of the Yarra Ranges Library Strategy and Action plan as one of the members of the steering committee. A comprehensive community consultation was undertaken and council received more than 2000 submissions, there is no doubting we love our libraries.

As part of delivering on the Library Strategy and Action plan in Belgrave, a key action included improving access to IT services. It’s terrific to see that Belgrave library will get 2 additional PCs to complement those already there.

The Belgrave Library plays a key role in ensuring that all members of the community can be connected to the information age. More PCs at Belgrave will mean library users can more easily meet their information needs in a welcoming, inclusive and stimulating environment.

glenda wise does literary lunch

Visitors to Belgrave Library are in for a treat at the library's next Literary Lunch. Local artist and illustrator Glenda Wise will talk about growing up in Upwey and her influences. Glenda was an enthusiastic artist which saw her join the Sherbrooke Arts Society at age 13 to begin her unique journey.

In 2008 she illustrated Mike Kelly's book, The Royal Kingdom of Fairy Green, with four books already published, there's another three to follow.

Glenda appears as part of Children's Week celebrations, what could be more fitting?

Cost is $10 per head and bookings are essential. Call the library on 9754 7266 or click here.

a new age for libraries

Yarra Ranges is currently reviewing it's library services and we'd like to know what you think. We want to know what you like about your library and what you'd like to see improved.
You can let us know a couple of ways, you can complete an online survey here or come along to one of our focus groups.

Focus groups will be held:

Monday 18 July - 11:15am to 12:15pm Mooroolbark Library
Monday 18 July - 2:00pm to 3:00pm Mt Evelyn Library
Tuesday 26 July - 3:00pm to 4:00pm Upper Yarra Family Centre, Yarra Junction
Wednesday 27 July - 11:00am to 12:00pm Healesville Library
Wednesday 27 July - 2:00pm to 3:00pm Lilydale Library
Thursday 28 July - 10:00am to 11:00am Belgrave Library
Thursday 28 July - 3:00pm to 4:00pm Montrose Library

To book a focus group near you click here or phone Jackie Elward on 1300 368 333, bookings are essential as places are limited.

want to know the value of your collectible?

Have you ever wondered what that collectible or antique sitting in the corner is worth? Well here's your chance to find out.

On Friday 22 July, Lester DeVere is coming to the Belgrave Library to do appraisals.

Lester has over 25 years experience in the antiques trade as a commission agent and auctioneer.

This session proves to be a great learning experience and a lot of fun too. Libraries have changed a lot, contemporary and vibrant places, they're a great place for community to connect.

Details:
One item per person
Bookings essential: call 9754 7266 or click here
When: Friday 22 July at 11am
Where: Belgrave Library
Cost: free

happenings at the belgrave library - may

There's a couple of great events coming up at the Belgrave Library in May, 2011.

First up there's Creative Cupcakes with chef, Stephen Wilson. Being held on Wednesday 25th May at 11am, Stephen will delight participants with a delicious demonstration of cupcake decorating. Come along, enjoy a cuppa and learn the finer art of cupcake decorating. Your gold coin donation to participate as well as funds raised from a Giant Cupcake Raffle will be donated to the Cancer Council as part of a fundraiser for Australia's Biggest Morning Tea.

Bookings are essential, call 9754 7266 or book online.

On Thursday 26th May, 12:30pm, Toni Jordan visits the library for their regular event, the Literary Lunch. Toni's first book Addition was published to critical acclaim and the publication rights have been sold around the world. Her second book Fall Girl has received similar positive responses. This will be a great event, at a cost of $10, which includes lunch.

Booking are essential for this one, call 9754 7266 or book online here.

meet jane clifton at belgrave library

Actress, Comedienne, musician and author Jane Clifton is coming to Belgrave Library. With her third book to be published in May 2011, Jane will share the books she loves, her reflections on the writing process and some of the experiences that have shaped her fascinating life.

This event will be a wonderfully engaging lunch.


When: 12:30pm, Thursday 28th April
Where: Belgrave Library
Cost: $10 (includes lunch)
Bookings essential: 9754 7266 or online.

library lovers lunch - keri arthur

Belgrave Library is presenting New York Times bestselling author, Keri Arthur, as part of their Library Lovers' Lunches.

Keri started her writing career at 12 and hasn't looked back. Her genre has shifted from pure fantasy to paranormal romance, her Riley Jensen Guardian series has featured on the New York Times Bestseller list. Now the author of 25 books, Keri has won the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement award for her fiction.

Keri has several books awaiting publication with two to be released this year. It should be a terrific event, if you'd like to attend call the Belgrave Library on 9754 7266.

Cost to attend the Library Lover's Lunch is $10 and includes lunch (of course!).

shrine travels to belgrave

It was terrific to be able officially open the History of the Shrine Travelling Exhibition at the Belgrave Library this week. I had the pleasure of welcoming Denis Baguley, CEO of the Shrine of Remembrance, to speak about the exhibition and the Shrine.

Me, pictured with Denis Baguley, CEO of the Shrine of Remembrance. It was great to have Denis share his extensive knowledge of the Shrine with locals at the opening.

Denis and I were joined by community members and the Eastern Regional Libraries CEO and staff at the opening. The exhibition has been touring around Victoria for the past three years and has another two years of touring due to overwhelming popularity.

The exhibition chronicles the overwhelming grief for the loss of 19,000 Victorians in World War I and also explores varied expressions of past and present community attitudes towards events such as ANZAC Day and the Vietnam War.

There are some amazing images, spanning more than 80 years, as well as two audio visual displays with original footage from 1934 to 1954. It's terrific to have this exhibition locally, I encourage to have a look when you're next visiting the Belgrave Library.

The History of the Shrine Travelling Exhibition will be at the Belgrave Library for the next four weeks.

save the gorilla comes to a library near you

As part of the ERL’s commitment to sustainability the library network is supporting Melbourne Zoo’s Save the Gorilla Campaign by collecting old mobile phones.

Every mobile phone contains the metal Coltan, this metal is mined from Gorilla habitat in the Congo River Basin. The mining of Coltan is contributing to forest loss and unrest in the region and is accelerating the loss of mountain gorillas at an alarming rate.

Each time you recycle your mobile phone the need to mine Coltan is reduced, not only that you are diverting your old phone from ending up in landfill and you will help Melbourne Zoo raise money to support the Jane Goodall Institute’s primate conservation work in Africa.

So remember, the next time you renew your mobile phone, recycle your old phone at your local library. Where is your local library? Click here to find out.

wifi off to a flying start

Whilst I was chairwoman of the Eastern Regional Libraries Board in 2009 I was very keen to see WiFi delivered into branches across the library network. WiFi allows users to link into the library’s wireless internet service for free.

On tour of other libraries throughout Melbourne I noticed how popular the service was and I was keen to provide WiFi services to the Yarra Ranges community too.

Last month all Yarra Ranges libraries had WiFi up and running, with barely any publicity the word has got out. Registrations for the new service have been steady and growing each week.










At one month of operation the tally for registered WiFi users was:
Belgrave 41
Healesville 27
Lilydale 208
Montrose 5
Mooroolbark 24
Mt Evelyn 8
Yarra Junction 58

This is a great start to a service that will bring more people to the library, a great outcome for the community and their library service too.

library goes wireless

report from the roundtable - 14 april

As part of my report from delegates I talked about a library tour of Melbourne I recently went on as part of a delegation of the Eastern Regional Libraries corporation board. The library we visited at Clayton was amazing with community members there making good use of the wireless internet available. People were positioned all over the Clayton library in every corner they could be, seeking out hidden power points anywhere and everywhere, all accessing the wireless internet on offer.

I was pleased to report that Belgrave and Lilydale libraries will be getting wireless internet later this year. This will make our libraries even more accessible for our communities.

more pc's for libraries

The Board of the Eastern Regional Libraries have been looking at benchmarks for PC’s in the library network. Many of the Yarra Ranges libraries fall short of the benchmarks in other states (Victoria does not have benchmarking data) and so I thought it important that I do something proactive to address the issue.


























This year I have taken on the role of Chairperson of the Eastern Regional Libraries Corporation. In my short time as Chairperson I have learnt a lot about the potential of libraries, PCs are an important part of the mix of services our libraries offer the community.

I’m pleased to advise that I have facilitated the addition of 6 new PCs for libraries throughout Yarra Ranges. Two for Belgrave, 2 for Lilydale, 1 in Yarra Junction and 1 in Mooroolbark.

This will allow much better access for our community, PCs are very popular and always in high demand so these additions will help ease the ongoing pressure on library PC use.

libraries lend a hand

At the last meeting of the Eastern Regional Libraries Board, where I was elected Chairperson, it was decided that one week's worth of overdue charges would be donated to the local CFA Brigades. Collection tins were also placed at all the libraries in the region (at 16 different locations) to collect funds to go towards the cause.

Over $3000 was raised in the collection tins, in addition overdue charges paid between Monday 23 March and Sunday 29 March, will be added to this amount.

Community members in fire affected areas around Healesville, Yarra Junction and Upwey, all make use of Eastern Regional Libraries and the money raised will help support local their local CFA Brigades.

"The ERL Board thought it was really important to recognise the outstanding efforts of the CFA Brigades and decided to donate funds raised through the libraries to our local brigades. Their efforts remind us of the immense contribution they and all volunteers make, in helping our communities through difficult and traumatic times."

library learnings

I had a great day today visiting various libraries across Melbourne and in Yarra Ranges to see first hand the potential of libraries for our communities. I’m one of the Yarra Ranges councillor representatives on the Eastern Regional Library (ERL) Board, a role I share with the Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Len Cox.

Libraries have changed a great deal since I was a girl and they are becoming vibrant community spaces full of activity and learning. It was a very inspiring trip. To round off the day I had the great pleasure of launching a new collection “Creative Arts” at the Belgrave Library. The collection of art books has been specifically chosen with the local community in mind and funded from the ERL new book stock budget.

One thing that struck me today was that the successful libraries were those that mirrored the needs and wants of their communities. This is exactly what this new collection of art books does. We have a community with a rich history in artist endeavours of many persuasions. The collection specialises in a great diversity of art books and many people were enthusiastically gathering up many titles, keen to borrow on the night.

I encourage you to have a look at the new titles which have a dedicated Creative Arts space in the Belgrave Library, I’m sure you’ll be inspired.