Libraries have become more than just places to borrow books, evidenced by the variety of activities and programs offered by a number of NSW libraries.
The Shoalhaven City Council Nowra Library is pushing the barriers of the traditional library with a feast of activities to keep local residents active over the winter months including an Adult Reading club, a Winter Knitting club and the release of a home education collection to provide support to home educated students and their parents.
The Adult Winter Reading club will run through until the end of August and participants have been invited to submit a short review outlining a recently read book. All reviews have a chance of winning a prize in one of three draws held throughout the program.
To compliment the Winter Reading club, the library will also hold a scarf knitting competition, with completed entries donated to a local charity. Local residents were encouraged to enter their home made scarves, which will be displayed until the end of August, at which point they will be judged and prizes awarded.
Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Paul Green said both the Adult Winter Reading Club and scarf knitting competition were further examples of the many programs run by Shoalhaven City Libraries throughout the year.
“Shoalhaven Libraries have become so much more than simply a place from which to borrow books.
“Our libraries have become exciting meeting hubs, offering so many wonderful resources, workshops and programs to the local community.
“The Adult Winter Reading Club is a fantastic initiative, designed to allow people to share their reading experiences with like minded book enthusiasts and the knitting club has been a great success already with final products being donated to local charities.” said Cr Green.
The Nowra library has also launched an extensive home education collection of over 300 items covering a comprehensive list of subject areas.
The resources are tailored to children from five to 12 years in age and include notes for parents to provide extra support for home-educated students.
Shoalhaven City Council Library and Community Services Manager, Ms Noela Lim said that libraries played an important role in the education of home-schooled families. Ms Lim said that the collection also provides a valuable opportunity for home schooling families to connect with other families who have students at home.
“Many people choose to educate their children at home for a variety of reasons; the decision to home educate can offer more flexible learning with a focus on lifestyle and family connectedness,” she said.
“Libraries are important to home schooled families as they offer a variety of resources that have been chosen by industry professionals.
“Shoalhaven Libraries have a wealth of educational resources for those families that are currently home schooling or considering going down this path in the future.
“The launch evening provided an opportunity for parents to familiarise themselves with the many materials on offer and to share ideas and resources with others in a relaxed setting,” Ms Lim concluded.
