Library News

Young Mentors are back! Register your interest now.

 

Once again, we are partnering with Margaret River Senior High School to deliver the Young Mentors Program during May 2025.

The program supports older Australians to improve their digital skills by bringing them together with young people in a mentoring capacity, to share digital skills and knowledge.

The one-to-one sessions are fun, informal and tailored to cover topics older people would like to learn. Participants can use their own devices, so the new skills they learn can be put into practice straight away. Some tablets are available if learners want to have a go, but do not have a device.

The Young Mentors program offers a wealth of benefits to all participants. Older people ­­can improve digital literacy, learn essential life skills and develop a deeper sense of community while the young mentors can develop leadership, communication, problem-solving skills… and much more.

Important date: Information Session for Learners Over 50 who are interested in attending the program.

Thursday May 1st – 1pm to 2pm – It is mandatory for Learners to attend this session prior to enrolment in the program.

The one-on-one sessions will run on Thursdays, May 15, 22, 29 and June 5, 12pm to 1:30pm.

Register your interest by email to Ana: abrawls@amrshire.wa.gov.au or contact the library Ph:08 9780 5600.

The library is an easily accessible venue with space available for carers if necessary.

Develop your digital skills with these online presentations

Join these free Be Connected Online Presentations to develop your digital skills and keep safer online.

Hosted by the eSafety Commissioner, Be Connected presentations cover a range of topics every month for older Australians, including how to use government websites, how to avoid scams, safer online shopping and banking and staying safe on Facebook.

All presentations are live streamed and delivered in an easy-to-understand format with eSafety’s knowledgeable and friendly presenter, future sessions include.

  • Managing your emails safely
  • Selling safely online
  • Can you spot a scam?
  • Safer online shopping and banking.

Visit the Be Connected website for upcoming presentation topics and dates, and information about how to register: beconnected.esafety.gov.au/online-safety-presentations

Need help registering? No problem, contact the eservices Librarian on abrawls@amrshire.wa.gov.au or 9780 5600, for assistance on how to book your spot.

The Cocoon Gallery for Emerging Artists Welcomes Jan Harwood

In this exhibition Jan has sought and found her happy place. She has created mixed media works with a focus on the Cyanotype printing technique which uses the sun and elements of leaves and flowers from the local environment.

Jan has dabbled with art over the years but more recently in retirement, she has found time to really explore more fully her favourite mediums and creative processes.

In working towards this exhibition Jan has discarded perfectionism and found expression through her appreciation of the patterns, form, texture and intricate beauty of nature. This exhibition finds her refining printmaking techniques and style to represent this.

“When a leaf drops from the tree in the forest, it is not done nor ‘over’. It continues to evolve and change the structure of its presence.” The works she presents in ‘Reflection’ is her interpretation of that evolution.

The exhibition can be viewed in the entry to the Margaret River Library Cocoon Gallery space until the end of April. Artworks can be purchased through the artist.

 

Margaret River Library will be closed for a hardware upgrade

A thousand apologies for the inconvenience

Margaret River library will be closed for 3 days from the 11th to 13th of March so that our beloved old sorter can be replaced 🙂

We will be open again on Friday the 14th of March at 10am with our new sorter in action.

Library assistant Dale Kelly using the old sorter

Our extensive electronic collection (eBooks, eAudio, comics, magazines, newspapers and games) will still be available while we’re closed. For all our latest news and events, visit amribraries.com

Our returns chute will be in use and the Augusta library will be open as usual.

Changes to Opening Hours – Labour Day

Margaret River Library

will be CLOSED on Monday, 3rd of March for the public holiday, so no baby rhyme time that day.

We OPEN again on Tuesday 4th at 10am. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Feel free to use the after-hours chute for your returns. Don’t forget, access to our online services is available 24/7 at our Library eResources page. For all our latest news and events visit amrlibraries.com

Revising for an exam or have an assignment due?

We know it’s a busy time and many students have major assignments and exams due soon.

If this is you, take the pressure off and save extra hours in front of your screen by quickly improving your draft through Margaret River Library’s Studiosity service before you submit your final assignment.

Studiosity, also connects you Live with a tutor online to help with your homework or assignments anytime, anywhere, in any topics like Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and more. You can also get help with spelling and grammar in your assignments.  

Revising for exams? Double-check your work with a specialist. Log in and connect in real time to chat through your questions and make sure you’re getting it right, before your exam.

Hear from students on how Studiosity improved their study journey.

Sign in to your Studiosity account with your library card.

Happy 20th Birthday Better Beginnings!!

The Better Beginnings early literacy program recognizes parents as a child’s first teacher. Our goal is to inspire a love of reading and learning for all Western Australian children by encouraging families to read, talk, sing, write and play together every day.

Developed and managed by the State Library of Western Australia, Better Beginnings is delivered in partnership with public libraries, community health centres and schools. The program is funded via a tri-partite alliance between the Government of Western Australia (including Royalties for Regions), Western Australian local governments and Rio Tinto.

During this week the Shire Libraries will be celebrating the Better Beginnings 20th Birthday at Margaret River Library for Baby Rhyme Time on Monday 17 February at 2pm and Storytime on Tuesday 18 February at 10.30am. Thanks to all at Augusta Library who took part in our Toddler Tales celebrations last Thursday!

We hope to see you at one of our Library children’s activities soon!

Let’s Chat About Neurodivergence

Thursday 27 February, 2pm – 3pm

Margaret River Library is holding a gathering for Neurodivergent people. Space will be set up with some board games and craft for individual or group participation. Guests will be greeted and made welcome, and light refreshments will be available. The session goes for an hour, but guests can stay longer if comfy. Library staff will provide an introductory chat to break the ice.

Suitable for young adults aged 17 and above.

RSVP: amrlibrary@amrshire.wa.gov.au  or just show up!

The library is an easily accessible venue and space is available for support carers.

Regular programs for kids and teens are back for term one

School is starting again which means our regular children’s programs resume at your shire libraries.

Baby Rhyme Time, Storytime, Toddler Tales, Book Chat Club and Book Stars Club will be starting as the 2025 school year commences.

Baby Rhyme TimeEvery Monday starting 3rd February at 2.00pm at Margaret River Library
For babies up to two years of age and their caregivers, Baby Rhyme Time is a fun place to learn new rhymes and songs to share with your little one.

Storytime: Every Tuesday starting 4th February at 10.15am for 10.30am start at Margaret River Library
For children aged two to five years old and their caregivers, Storytime encourages children to discover a love of books, stories, reading, rhymes and craft and promotes family literacy skills.

Our first storytime will be celebrating Lunar New Year with our special guest Sean!

Other themes planned for term one include Better Beginnings 20th Birthday, big machines and Harmony Week.

Toddler Tales: Thursday 13th February at 10.30am at Augusta Library
Aimed at Toddlers, this session incorporates a story, rhymes, songs and craft at Augusta Library

To book a place for Toddler Tales go to https://amrlibraries-toddlertales-augusta.eventbrite.com.au or phone 9780 5600

Book Stars Club: On the third Monday of each month starting Monday 17th February 4.00pm at Margaret River Library
A group for kids aged 8 to 11 years old who love books and reading. We chat about what we have read over the month, give recommendations and do a book related craft activity.

Book Chat Club: On the last Monday of each month starting Monday 24th February 4.00pm at Margaret River Library
A group for those over 12 years old who are enthusiastic about books. Each meeting we discuss about what we have read and give reviews for other members of the club. There is no ‘set’ book – we agree on a genre or theme, and you pick a book that appeals to you.

All regular children’s programs are run during school term and not on public holidays.

We hope to see you at the library soon!

Back to top ↑

Contact the Libraries

Margaret River Library

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