ALIA West

July 2004

Geraldton Regional Library Celebrates Australian Library and Information Week

Australian Library and Information Week for the Geraldton Regional Library was a busy time. The week commenced with the very successful launch of a local history book called Bootenal and Beyond by Noel Sivwright. Around seventy people attended a very lively launch and afternoon tea.

On Monday 24 May The Hon Sheila McHale, MLA, Minister for Culture and the Arts, launched the new Parenting Collection in the Library. More than twenty people were entertained by a Year 2 choral speaking group from one of the local schools before listening to a local parent extol the virtues of the parenting collection. After officially launching the collection the Minister joined us for afternoon tea and spent time talking with staff and guests.

Our week concluded with another fun event where we combined the Australian Library and Information Week celebrations with the 21st birthday of Possum Magic and Australia's Biggest Morning Tea. Library staff hosted a morning tea of Anzac biscuits, pumpkin scones and vegemite sandwiches. People made donations to Cancer research and were privileged to hear local media personality, Mr Grant Woodhams, (resplendent in his Possum Magic socks) read the delightful story of Possum Magic. More than 50 people of all ages attended and $150 was raised for the Cancer Foundation.

While we appear to have actually eaten our way through the Australian Library and Information Week, we do feel we were most successful in raising the profile of the library while attracting a number of people who may not normally have used their local library.

Ann Boyle
Geraldton Regional Library