NQ Regional Rep Jacob Schaumburg has been catching up on the latest activities from across the northern region.
BURDEKIN
Another great story here from Carli, the Children and Youth Librarian from Burdekin Library.
Carli had the privilege of presenting an information literacy class to year 7 and year 8 students at the local high school. Information literacy is the skills needed to find, evaluate, use, and communicate information in all its formats, especially when making decisions, problem solving and attaining knowledge.
Today, information is consumed at an unprecedented rate. With technology use, we can access vast quantities of information at any time and from anywhere through news, social media, and the internet. But not all information is created equally. In a world of misinformation, bias and hidden agendas, the ability to assess information as valid, factual, and relevant is a necessity to everybody. It is part of my role as a librarian to provide access to information and to teach information literacy to students and the community at large.
This information literacy class was arranged in partnership with the Home Hill School Librarian. Before I arrived, Burdekin Library membership forms were filled out by each student and forwarded to me. Then I was able to provide a membership card to every student of the class. Seventy-six new Burdekin Library members!
I began the class by laying out the “prize table” filled with chocolate, bookmarks, stickers, and pens. I then introduced myself and gave a quick lesson on how to access the three free digital library apps we have available to library members. The students who had personal devices were able to access in real time.
I then delivered a course on information literacy. Using my university learned information evaluation technique as the backbone of my content, I discussed the importance of information literacy in both an academic context and in everyday use. With the help of the prize table the students enthusiastically participated in learning the tools to be information literate. They learned that they should always consider the reliability of information before using it to make decisions both in their studies and in everyday life!
Well done to Carli and the team at Burdekin Library, always punching above their weight in typical NQ fashion.
CHARTERS TOWERS
Charters Towers Library held its annual Fun Palace on Saturday 12 October.
This year’s Fun Palace at the Excelsior Library was a huge success with over 480 visitors for the 2-hour event.
Our Fairytale theme was a hit with visitors young and old as they competed in the build a Bean Stalk challenge, became the Big Bad Wolf and knocked the Pigs houses down. Met Mother Goose, the Billy Goats gruff and friends in our petting zoo, climbed the bean stalk (Rock Wall), made crowns, magic potions, Hansel and Gretel edible bracelets all whilst enjoying fairy floss.
For a few more images, check out Charters Towers Excelsior Library’s Facebook album here!
TOWNSVILLE
This year Townsville Citylibraries’ One Title One Townsville annual community book club was held in collaboration with author Shankari Chandran, moderator Tenille McDermott, Mary Who? Bookshop, JCU Roderick Centre for Australian Literature and Creative Writing, and Pop-Up Food Truck Events.
The event was held at Cotters Markets, outside Mary Who? Bookshop, on Flinders Street. Shankari shared her thoughts and ideas behind the inspiration for her latest novel Safe Haven which explores dispossession and the creation of community.
With 78 attendees, the book club style Q&A event provided an opportunity for our community to come together, meet, listen, and participate. Important conversations with attendees were had regarding the value of library membership at our display tables of library items/promotional material and membership signup.
The event at Townsville Citylibraries was a great success, fostering community connections and meaningful conversations through shared stories. The library staff’s efforts in promoting programs like First 5 Forever, the Library of Things, and eResources clearly resonated with attendees, who appreciated the informative and enjoyable experience. The positive feedback, especially about the author and moderator, shows the impact of the event on the community.
