Central Queensland Regional Rep, Peta Browne, shares some of the Q1 2025 news from across the North Qld region.
Bundaberg Regional Libraries – Toy Sleepover
Toy Sleepover at Bundaberg Library
On the evening of Tuesday, February 25th, Bundaberg Library transformed into a whimsical wonderland, hosting its inaugural Toy Sleepover. Amidst twenty-one playful toys and two dedicated, albeit slightly sleepy, staff members, a night of delightful adventures unfolded.
Though the concept of a toy sleepover is familiar, its appeal is undeniable. Our simple drop-off method enabled us to create a comprehensive illustrated narrative of the evening’s adventures.
The toys embarked on a delightful exploration, scaling bookshelves, investigating the seed library, engaging in playful games, sharing a collective story, enjoying tasty snacks (including freshly popped popcorn), and finally, settling in for a cozy slumber beneath a shared quilt. A few particularly adventurous toys even indulged in a late-night story session.
The event fostered a rich tapestry of pre- and post-sleepover storytelling. Families creatively documented their toys’ “Grandma’s house” adventures, and upon receiving our curated book, many children excitedly crafted their own narratives based on their toy’s library experience. The children were particularly captivated by the idea of their toys peering through the staff door window, eagerly awaiting their return. This activity ignited a genuine enthusiasm for reading and storytelling, allowing children to connect with their toys’ experiences in a deeply personal way.
Beyond the immediate joy, the sleepover provided a wealth of language and literacy opportunities. While we encountered a few logistical learning curves, the overwhelming success of the event has inspired us to plan future sleepovers – perhaps with a slightly earlier bedtime for our dedicated team.
The success of this initiative was made possible through the generous support of First 5 Forever funding, which enabled staff to facilitate this engaging activity.
“First 5 Forever is an initiative of the Queensland Government, coordinated by State Library of Queensland and delivered in partnership with local government”
Central Highlands Regional Council
Central Highlands Regional Council Libraries have partnered with State Library of Queensland to host a three day First 5 Forever workshop in Emerald on the 4th – 6th March 2025.
CHRC libraries was able to send 15 of its library officers to this professional development opportunity.
With Five other Regional Council Libraries able to attend with 11 library officers participating.
This workshop is designed to address the unique needs of regional communities and provide library staff with an invaluable opportunity to:
- Build a community of practice by connecting with like-minded professionals and collaborating on innovative solutions.
- Exchange and learn from best practices
- Engage current and potential partners to strengthen local networks.
It is an amazing opportunity to have this training come to us, along with the opportunity to network with other library staff joining from all over Queensland.
During the month of March nine Central Highlands library branches are also facilitating events for International Women’s Day with diverse community events including morning and afternoon teas, activities including Guest Speakers, Trivia Scone off competitions, arts and craft.
Fraser Coast Libraries – Dhaanban duruman (a How Do You Library? event)
Dhaanban djuruman
Fraser Coast Libraries partnered with Hervey Bay Regional Gallery to create an enjoyable day for young and old – “Dhaanban djuruman”.
Despite the torrential morning rain, the collaborative celebration of community, as part of State Library of Queensland’s “How Do You Library?” campaign, treated attendees to a range of experiences, including:
- an informative tour of the Butchulla Seasonal Garden and sampling a range of bush tucker presented by Murri Tukka, which was both colourful and tasty.
- an inspiring author talk by Shawn-Wondunna-Foley
- the closing of Mia Boe’s exhibition, ‘Guwinganj’
- weaving, message stick painting, and stalls hosted by the Maryborough Women’s Yarning Group ATSI
- live music, face painting, kids activities, plants, gardening advice and a BBQ
All of this plus free library membership AND giveaways of the colourful #howdoyoulibrary merch. The sun shone through, the energy was positive and everyone enjoyed the range of activities on offer.
Across the road at the Hervey Bay Library, families enjoyed storytime with the sunshiny Children, Young, People and Families team.
A successful and satisfying day for the Fraser Coast community. Some of the many ways we library.
Fraser Coast Libraries – Sensational Staff
Sensational Staff
Fraser Coast Libraries held a couple of competitions over the summer months and customers were not the only winners. Staff were rewarded for the most signups of memberships and also signups for the Sumer Reading Club.
Circulation staff member Sheena took out the prize for the membership drive, with an impressive 103 new members; whilst Wendy (pictured )was happy to receive her trophy for the most Summer Reading Club sign ups.
Gladstone Libraries – Library Lovers Day/Month & Rachael Treasure Author Visit
February -Library Lovers’ month
Gladstone Regional Libraries celebrate Library Lovers’ Day for the whole month of February. The Gladstone City Library and Calliope Library decorated the front glass panel with a bare tree and encouraged patrons to add leaves with messages detailing what they love about their library. There were some interesting responses, and we love reading them and sharing them amongst our staff.
To celebrate Library Lovers’ Day on February 14, Gladstone City Library held a pizza party which was an opportunity to sign up new members and demonstrate access to databases. This was very successful with many patrons signing up to Beamafilm and Hoopla.
Agnes Water Library recently hosted Rachael Treasure for an author talk and signing. Staff rallied quickly as information regarding the visit wasn’t available until Friday 28 Feb and the talk was organised for Monday 3 March!!! An impressive 35 people attended which was a massive feat considering the short time frame.
Whitsunday Libraries
Whitsunday Regional Libraries welcomes two new Team Leaders, bringing fresh energy and extensive experience to our library services.
Cannonvale Library – Sindy Dowden
Sindy relocated from Perth Metro Libraries, where she developed a wealth of knowledge over 30 years in the industry. Her extensive background spans various aspects of library services, and she brings a deep commitment to fostering community engagement and innovation within the Cannonvale branch.
Proserpine Library – Alicia Mulcahy
Alicia has worked in libraries for eight years, with a strong focus on children’s programming and literacy development. She is deeply passionate about the role libraries play in the community—not just as places of learning, but as welcoming spaces where people can connect and feel a sense of belonging. Alicia is committed to enhancing community engagement, expanding programs, and ensuring the library remains an inclusive and safe space for all.
With their combined expertise and enthusiasm, Sindy and Alicia are well-positioned to lead their teams in delivering exceptional library services and strengthening community connections across the region.
Adult Activities
Whitsunday Regional Libraries is now in its second year of delivering engaging monthly activities for adults. These sessions continue to be highly popular and well-received, providing a welcoming space for participants to explore new skills and artistic pursuits.
From November to February, the libraries hosted a diverse range of workshops, including Decoupage, Christmas Wreath Making, and Watercolour Painting. Each session offered attendees an opportunity to express their creativity, develop new artistic techniques, and engage with others in a relaxed and supportive environment. These activities were not only a source of enjoyment but also helped strengthen community bonds, demonstrating the library’s role as a hub for lifelong learning and social engagement.
Coming up, we will be hosting a series of snake safety information sessions at the library. Given the recent increase in snake bites and close encounters in our region, we felt this was a timely and valuable program to offer.These sessions will provide important information on identifying local snake species, understanding their behaviour, and learning practical strategies to stay safe. Participants will also gain insight into what to do in the event of a snake bite, including first aid techniques and when to seek professional help.
How Do You Library?
Whitsunday Regional Libraries received a Microgrant to support the How Do You Library! initiative—an exciting campaign designed to promote our libraries and showcase the diverse range of services we offer to the Whitsunday community.
As part of this initiative, we are hosting four How Do You Library! Expos, with each branch holding its own event to engage with residents, encourage new memberships, and highlight the value of library services. The first expo, held at Proserpine Library on Saturday, 15th February, was a resounding success, drawing 186 attendees over the three-hour event. The vibrant atmosphere featured cake, raffles, giveaways, and free activities, creating a fun and engaging experience for visitors of all ages. Not only did the community thoroughly enjoy the event, but library staff also took great pride in working together to promote everything our libraries have to offer.
To encourage new memberships, we are running exciting giveaways. New members at each branch go into the draw to win a set of JBL headphones, perfect for enjoying our extensive range of free audiobooks. Additionally, all new members who sign up during the four-month campaign will have the chance to win the major prize—a Lenovo tablet, ideal for accessing our collection of free eBooks.
With Proserpine’s event setting the stage for a fantastic series, we are eagerly anticipating the remaining expos:
Bowen Library – Saturday, 22nd March, 8:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Collinsville Library – Friday, 4th April, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Cannonvale Library – Saturday, 3rd May, 8:45 AM – 11:45 AM
These expos are a fantastic opportunity to introduce more people to the wealth of resources, programs, and services available at Whitsunday Regional Libraries. We look forward to welcoming our community at the upcoming events and celebrating all the ways they can “library”!
First 5 Forever
Whitsunday Regional Libraries’ First 5 Forever programs continue to be a cornerstone of early literacy and learning, with strong community participation and enthusiasm from families across the region. Our dedicated staff have developed a diverse range of engaging activities that not only support early childhood development but also encourage families to connect through play, storytelling, and interactive experiences.
Recent program highlights included:
National Recycling Week – Sessions incorporated interactive storytelling and hands-on activities to teach young children about sustainability and caring for the environment. A standout moment was when participants had the exciting opportunity to explore a real-life recycling truck, even climbing inside to get a firsthand look at how recycling works.
Disaster Preparedness Sessions – Designed to introduce basic safety concepts in a child-friendly way, these sessions helped families discuss emergency readiness in an approachable and engaging manner.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar – A beloved classic brought to life through themed storytimes, craft activities, and movement-based play, delighting young participants while reinforcing literacy skills.
With an ever-evolving selection of activities tailored to the interests and developmental needs of young children, Whitsunday Libraries remains committed to fostering a love of reading and learning in our youngest community members.
School Holiday Programs
Whitsunday Regional Libraries’ school holiday programs continue to be a highlight for families, offering a range of interactive and creative activities that keep children engaged during the break. Our most recent December–January program featured a mix of hands-on crafts, STEAM-based learning, and fun social activities designed to inspire curiosity and creativity. With a mix of structured sessions and self-led activities, the holiday program catered to a variety of ages and interests, ensuring that every child found something exciting to participate in. These school holiday sessions not only provided entertainment but also encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction.
