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Library News

Happy Children’s Book Week!

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Every year, all over Australia, we celebrate Children’s Book Week to highlight the many fantastic books for young people that are produced in this country.

Children’s Book of the Year is also announced during this week and our libraries have the winning and shortlisted books on display for you to request.

You are invited to celebrate 80 years of Children’s Book Week with a lively and imaginative Book Week Costume Parade.

The 2025 theme, “Book an Adventure!”, encourages children to dive into the worlds of their favourite stories and characters. Whether it’s a brave explorer, a mischievous creature or a magical hero, we want to see them brought to life at the library.

Event details:

Date: Wednesday 20 August
Time: 3.30pm – 4.30pm (Parade begins at 4pm)
Location: Margaret River Library

Children are invited to dress up as their favourite book character and join the parade. There will be prizes for best dressed in age categories, generously sponsored by the Margaret River Bookshop.

In addition to the parade, the library will host a range of Book Week-themed craft activities, including colouring in, badge making and a story hunt. Library staff will also be in costume, adding to the festive atmosphere.

A special guest will help choose the winning costumes.

Families are encouraged to keep it simple and fun. Reinvent an old Book Week costume, borrow one from a friend or get creative with what you have at home. It’s a great opportunity to share the Book Week spirit and enjoy a community celebration of reading.

Save your spot here: Shire of Augusta Margaret River Libraries Events – Eventbrite Registering helps us plan for craft supplies and prizes.

Happy Children’s Book Week everyone!

 

 

Book Week Costume Parade: Book an Adventure at the Library

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Get ready to dress up and have some fun!

The Margaret River Library is celebrating 80 years of Children’s Book Week with a colourful Costume Parade and families are invited to join the adventure.

The 2025 theme, “Book an Adventure!”, encourages children to dive into the worlds of their favourite stories and characters. Whether it’s a brave explorer, a mischievous creature or a magical hero, we want to see them brought to life at the library.

Event details:

Date: Wednesday 20 August
Time: 3.30pm – 4.30pm (Parade begins at 4pm)
Location: Margaret River Library

Children are invited to dress up as their favourite book character and join the parade. There will be prizes for best dressed in age categories, generously sponsored by the Margaret River Bookshop.

In addition to the parade, the library will host a range of Book Week-themed craft activities, including colouring in, badge making and a story hunt.

A special guest will help choose the winning costumes.

Families are encouraged to keep it simple and fun. Reinvent an old Book Week costume, borrow one from a friend or get creative with what you have at home. It’s a great opportunity to share the Book Week spirit and enjoy a community celebration of reading.

Save your spot here: Shire of Augusta Margaret River Libraries Events – Eventbrite

Registering helps us plan for craft supplies and prizes.

Libby Book Club featuring Smoke by Michael Brissenden

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Picture of author Michael Brissenden wearing a dark jumper and copy of his book

Join author Michael Brissenden to discuss ‘Smoke’, this year’s chosen title for the Together We Read book club.

Michael Brissenden was a journalist and foreign correspondent with the ABC for thirty-five years. He’s worked across the globe in various roles including as the political editor for ABC TV’s 7.30 and as a reporter with the ABC’s Four Corners. He has published three previous books.

During this book club, guests will have the opportunity to ask questions, interact with the author, and enjoy a bookish discussion. Hosted by David Allan-Petale – brought to you via Libby, the library reading app: https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby.

For a two-week period (12th to 26th of August), Smoke, as an eBook and an audiobook, will be provided to all participating libraries for free on the Libby app, with unlimited simultaneous loans.

The reader who asks the best question during the live event will also be sent a signed copy of the book by the author!

  • Online Trybooking page can be found here

The Zoom link will be emailed to all attendees on the day of the event. This month’s featured title should be available to borrow in digital format, with no waitlists or holds! If not, you can request your library buys this title.

If you need help assistance with Libby or any other eResources, please contact the library on 08 9780 5600

Thriller writer Sara Foster visiting on August 21

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Thursday 21 August, 6 – 7pm

We are very excited to announce that Sara Foster, author of a multitude of popular thriller fiction titles, including ‘The Hush’ and ‘When She Was Gone’, will be in conversation with Ana Brawls at the Margaret River Library.

Come along to hear about Sara’s journey from book editor to bestselling author, her writing processes, inspirations, and successes as a prominent WA author.

Your entry becomes a ticket in a lucky door prize with a chance to win a signed copy of one of her recent books. Light refreshments will be available after the talk.

Please RSVP to Eventbrite so we save you a seat. or email: amrlibrary@amrshire.wa.gov.au or Phone: 9780 5600

Poetry writing workshop with Lakshmi Kanchi

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Friday 15 August, 10am – 12pm at the Margaret River Library

The Kinetic: Poetry in Motion
Our lives pulse with rhythms of motion, invisible forces that shape us. Trace these energies, whether it’s a tender touch or a life-changing leap, through poetic expression, reflection, and gentle writing prompts. A dynamic and welcoming workshop for those who wish to explore movement as metaphor.

This free, 2 hour workshop is presented by Lakshmi Kanchi. Lakshmi is the inaugural Poet in residence at the Wetlands Centre Cockburn and Chair and project manager of WA Poets Inc. bringing the 2025 Perth Poetry Festival on the road to Margaret River in August.

Please RSVP as spaces are limited. Email: amrlibrary@amrshire.wa.gov.au or Phone: 9780 5600

Poetry evening at the Margaret River Library

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Between River and Sea: Five poets. One gathering. Countless currents of poetry.

Thursday 14 August, 5pm – 6.30pm

Between River & Sea brings together five powerful and distinct voices for an evening of poetry shaped by place, identity and connection. From whispered memory to thunderous truth, these poets speak across cultures, landscapes and lived experience, flowing between the intimate and the universal.

Join us at the Margaret River Library for a night of shared words and vibrant presence.

This is poetry that listens, stirs and stays with you, spoken where waters meet.

Presenting poets: Arunima Nair, Rachel Is, Ana Brawls, Roe Kanchi, Jaya Penelope

Please RSVP to Eventbrite so we save you a seat.

Alternatively, phone 9780 5600 or email: amrlibrary@amrshire.wa.gov.au

CloudLibrary eAudio Scheduled Outage

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CloudLibrary’s audiobook partner will be transitioning to a new system. This will result in limited audiobook access for a 24-hour period.

Scheduled Impact Time:
📅 From  12:00 AM AWST on Friday, 1 August
📅 To  12:00 AM AWST on Saturday, 2 August

During this time:

  • Patrons will not be able to borrow or return audiobooks.
  • There will be a short window on Friday when downloaded audiobooks will also not play.

Remember you can still access eAudios on Libby, BorrowBox and hoppla.

Studiosity Plus is here

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Studiosity has long been a favourite among students for its real-time academic support. Now it’s been upgraded to offer even more features:

    • Writing Feedback+ – AI powered, ethical study support delivered in minutes using a “help-not-answers” approach
    • Study Assist – Improve your skills in writing, research and referencing
    • Connect Live – Chat with a real person about maths, science or referencing questions
    • 24/7 access – Help is available whenever you need it

If you’re preparing for exams, working on a tricky assignment or just need a second pair of eyes on your writing, Studiosity is here to help you succeed.

Studiosity Plus is unlimited, so students can submit as many times as they like. It’s especially helpful for CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) students, offering fast and accessible support.

Importantly, Studiosity uses a closed-system AI, so you can be confident your work remains your own. You can receive feedback as many times as you need.

These new resources are free and available online, meaning you can explore, study and grow from the comfort of your home, your favourite café or anywhere with internet access.

Need help getting started? Our friendly library staff are always ready to assist.

Start exploring today: Studiosity+

Social media lessons for artists

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Image: Pumping Jakes by Linney Art

Artists who would like to improve their social media presence are invited to attend this workshop series to:

  • Optimise your page for art promotion
  • Discover tools for engagement and sales
  • Leave with actionable steps

Session 1: Using Facebook to promote artists and their work

Wednesday 30th July, 4.30pm – 5.30pm

Session 2: Using Instagram to promote artists and their work

Wednesday 6th August, 4.30pm – 5.30pm

RSVP to Email: amrlibrary@amrshire.wa.gov.au or Phone: 9780 5600

Our e-Services Librarian, Ana Brawls will do a presentation in the first half hour then spend time with participants answering questions and looking at individual scenarios in the second half. Seats are limited so please RSVP.

Invitation to Linney’s exhibition launch in the Cocoon Gallery

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The new work is up in the Cocoon Gallery for emerging artists and we welcome Linney Thomson with her exhibition titled ‘Sea Daze’

Exhibition Launch – Thursday 31st July, 5.30 – 6.30pm

All welcome. Please RSVP to Linney. Email: riverdog74@bigpond.com or Txt 0400 096 003

“The ocean is my inspiration, water and waves make me feel alive and surfing is my passion”.

In this exhibition, Linney presents some recent creations using acrylic mediums and gold leaf on canvas, including some ‘Seagull Photobombs’.

These works will be on display until the end of August and the library is an easily accessible venue.

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Contact the Libraries

Margaret River Library

Fearn Avenue, Margaret River WA 6285
Phone: (08) 9780 5600
Email: amrlibrary@amrshire.wa.gov.au

Augusta Library

Allnutt Terrace, Augusta WA 6290
Phone: (08) 9780 5670
Email: auglib@amrshire.wa.gov.au