Australian Library and Information Week

Today is the start of Australian Library and Information Week - a week that celebrates libraries and the role that they play in discovering new things. This year's theme is Libraries...Your Passport to Discovery.

I can remember when people worked hard to have this week recognised. I used to work at Dandenong Valley Regional Library, and the Regional Librarian, Colin Watson, was a staunch advocate for library promotion. Back in the 80s he was a member of the Australian Library Promotion Committee; and one of the main aims was to have a week that celebrated libraries. He and his fellow committee members fought long and hard for the profession to recognise that this was an important way to advocate for libraries. Once they were convinced, the word could spread to the rest of the world!

ALIA took up the cause and has promoted this week for many years now and librarians around the country celebrate their profession in various ways. We are celebrating at Yarra Plenty:

Monday, 25 May
Start your LIW celebrations with Bedside Reads at Ivanhoe; Early Bird opening hours at Rosanna all week - the library opens at 8am; Coffee for a cause and new book morning tea at Watsonia; Blind Date with a library book at Mill Park and New books at morning tea at Thomastown.

Tuesday, 26 May
It's National Library Technicians Day today - and also a Just4Kids treasure hunt at Ivanhoe; and new books and morning tea at Lalor as well as Bedside Reads.

Wednesday, 27 May
National Simultaneous Storytime - join approximately 850 locations around Australia at 11:00am for the simultaneous read of Pete the Sheep written by Jackie French . Rosanna, Mill Park, Diamond Valley and Eltham are all part of this great event.

Thursday, 28 May
The LIW Biggest Morning Tea @ Eltham Library will be done in real style as Barista Mark Stewart will show you how to make a good coffee on a home machine - to support the Cancer Council.

For all events during LIW check out our Events Calendar