Annual Report 2015/2016

Dubbo City Council | | Council | Warrumbungle Shire Council Statement Of Objective To provide a relevant and effective library service to the residents of and visitors to the council areas of Dubbo, Narromine, Warrumbungle and Wellington.

Statement Of Purpose To be an innovative, integrated library service, operationally efficient and customer focussed, supported by skilled, motivated and well trained staff.

2 Macquarie Regional Library read | watch | listen Member Councils

Western Plains Regional Council (Dubbo City Council/Wellington Council) Narromine Shire Council Warrumbungle Shire Council

Macquarie Regional Library Committee

Dubbo City Council

Cr. Lyn Griffiths Cr. Kevin Parker

Wellington Council

Cr. Anne Jones (Chairperson) Cr. Mark Griggs

Narromine Shire Council

Cr. Les Lambert (Deputy Chairperson) Cr. Ruth Carney

Warrumbungle Shire Council

Cr. Anne-Louise Capel Cr. Chris Sullivan

Executive Officer

Mr. Mark Riley (General Manager, Western Plains Regional Council)

Director

Mr. John Bayliss

read | watch | listen Macquarie Regional Library 3 Statistical Profile

Population served 67,267 Area (square kilometres) 25,185 Number of staff 31 Number of registered borrowers 33,522 Number of visitations to the Branch Libraries 265,069 Number of loans 316,387 Number of information requests 23,457 Number of items catalogued 15,076 Number of items discarded 16,420 Total number of items held 165,931

Bookstock By Branch 4,118 Binnaway 2,228 Coolah 11,329 14,180 Dubbo 77,427 6,437 2,578 Narromine 15,113 Trangie 9,357 Wellington 21,638 Web (e-Resources) 1,526

4 Macquarie Regional Library read | watch | listen Staff

Regional Office Casual Staff Volunteers John Bayliss Director Lindy Allan Manager Library Services and Collections Regional Office Regional Office Lisa Orth Marketing and Promotions Officer Mary Androutsos Kirsty Henderson Catherine Stein Library Assistant - Library Services and Collections Anne Barwick Manager Technical Services Coolah Branch Dubbo Branch Helen Thompson Cataloguer Cathy Atkinson Lesley Abrahams David MacBeth Manager Information Technology Carol Brett Coonabarabran Sam McGregor Business Support Officer (from May 2016) Rosemary Green Branch Wendy White Business Support Officer (to May 2016) Lynda McGlashan Dubbo Home Library Service Dubbo Branch Dubbo Branch Eleanor Ayers Jocelyn Morris Branch Manager (to January 2016) Erin Barwick Fred Bell Susan Byers Information Services Librarian (to April 2016) Heather Crosby Lynn Bolton Erin Parker Young People’s Services Coordinator (to May 2016) Ann McLachlan Alice Clatworthy Simone Taylor Local Studies Officer Therese Quigley Carol Cody Erin Barwick Library Assistant James Sutherland Sandra MacDouall Michelle Betts Library Assistant Samantha Walsh June Rayner Sarah Warner Fiona Dunn Library Assistant Narromine Local Margaret Rivett Library Assistant Narromine Branch History Room Janelle Shipp Library Assistant Lynne McDougall Shirley Aderton Sarah Tilbrook Library Assistant Mary Morris Nita Cale Hermina Williams Library Assistant Jade Siemsen Norma Meadley Wellington Branch Trangie Branch Bert Morris Amy Swan Branch Manager Jade Siemsen Kaye Reid Anne Pope Library Assistant Wellington Branch Wellington Home Narromine Branch Sue Grady Library Service Sally Rider Branch Manager Andrew Smith Belinda Barlow Library Assistant Barbara Smith Trangie Branch Cherie Spratt Katie Rourke Branch Library Officer (to May 2016) Noel Spratt Allison Nash Library Assistant Coonabarabran Branch Gary Furnell Branch Manager Leonie Heslop Library Assistant Coolah Branch Julie Sherlock Branch Library Officer Ruth Monckton Library Assistant Dunedoo Branch Melissa Farrow Branch Library Officer Baradine Service Point Elizabeth Cutts Library Assistant Binnaway Service Point Dawn Keirle Library Assistant (February to June 2016) Mendooran Service Point Leonie Heslop Library Assistant

read | watch | listen Macquarie Regional Library 5 Director’s Report

2015/2016 was another a year of continued achievement RFID and success for the Library service, with constant The implementation of a self-service unit, incorporating improvements to the collections and the provision of high quality services and programs at all the branches RFID, (Radio Frequency Identification), in conjunction and service points. This is a reflection on the staff in the with the Dubbo Branch Library refurbishment project, Regional Office and the Branches and also the team of has also been undertaken. RFID is a combination of radio- casuals and volunteers who continued to contribute in a frequency-based technology and microchip technology and positive manner and worked tirelessly to ensure the Library is the latest technology to be used in library theft detection Service’s success. As a result, Macquarie Regional Library systems. continues to be a leading regional library service. I offer Library members are able to use self-service kiosk to loan or my thanks for their support and commitment to the library return items and the security of the items is automatically service and their communities. managed during this process whereas this is not possible when using an electro-magnetic based security system. Amalgamation Using wireless technology, it is possible not only to update the inventory, but also to identify items which are out of On 12 May 2016 the NSW Premier proclaimed an proper order or locate missing items. amalgamation between Dubbo City Council and Wellington Council to create Western Plains Regional. As a result of the merger it was necessary to amend a number of governance issues within the Macquarie Regional Library Agreement. Dunedoo Branch Library refurbishment The term of the Agreement until 30 June 2018 remained Warrumbungle Shire Council received $199,397 towards unamended. the ‘Revitalisation of the Dunedoo Library’ project. The application for funds supported the Transition Dubbo Branch Library refurbishment Dubbo City Council received $200,000 towards the Dubbo Branch Library’s ‘A community library for the future: refurbishment of the Dubbo Library’ project.

As a result there is a more open space design with additional “Big Blue” by Nick Adams on casual reading areas and study tables, more space in the display in Dubbo Branch. children’s section, a new Local Studies Collections Research Room and Reading Room, a redesigned youth area and two dedicated meeting rooms. The refurbishment also included a new front entrance, replacement ceiling, new carpet and painting, new lighting and additional security, and a new circulation desk.

The refurbishment/renovation program commenced on Tuesday 29 March 2016 and the refurbished library reopened on 4 July 2016. The former garden centre in the Mitre 10 Dubbo building was leased to provide a temporary short term library space. This provided space to hold the collections and enabled the library to offer many of the services provided during the closure for the refurbishment.

The Dubbo Branch staff and the Regional Office staff are to be commended on their hard work to establish the temporary library and to then complete the new layout and redesign of the refurbished library. It was well planned and a fantastic team effort from all concerned.

6 Macquarie Regional Library read | watch | listen Fund Project – Dunedoo Multi- Purpose Service Centre, Staff Training where the library is located. During 2015/2016, staff completed a variety of training The refurbished Branch was reopened on Tuesday 16 workshops. Training highlights included - February 2016. The response to the refurbished library has • Copyright workshop SLNSW been extremely positive from the community. Also, the staff have welcomed the additional space and new layout • Recruitment and selection training for managers and for the provision of the library service to the community. supervisors • Executive skills training

Books on Prescription • TRIM record management training Books on Prescription is a new collection in the library to • Warden and First Attack Firefighting training help manage common conditions like depression, anxiety, • Social media training stress and eating disorders. Books on Prescription, an Australian first, helps people to understand and manage • E-Smart Library workshop common mental health conditions using self-help reading, • Spydus 10 Supervisor training and is the newest collection to hit the library shelves this week. • NSW.net - Wireless Management Services training

The Books on Prescription Project is a NSW Public Libraries Central West Zone project. It is funded by a Library Staff attended the Annual NSW Public Libraries Conference Development Grant, providing resources, marketing and in Sydney in November 2015. distribution of materials and staff training. The Project is a partnership with the University of Newcastle Centre for Staff also attended the 2015 Spydus User Network annual Regional and Remote Mental Health and has been endorsed conference. by health professionals.

The Books on Prescription collection is currently available at the Dubbo Branch and will be available in Wellington, Three staff members are continuing studies in Certificate IV Narromine and Coonabarabran by October 2016. The in Library, Information and Cultural Services. launch of the Books on Prescription collection will be held during Mental Health Week on 18 October 2016. In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge the Regional Library Committee and the member Councils for their support of the ComicsCraft Expo Library Service during the year. The continued advancement of Macquarie Regional Library is due in no small part to their A very successful ComicsCraft Expo was conducted with five encouragement and commitment which, in turn, provides sessions presented on the weekend of 10‐11 July in Dubbo a firm platform for the continued cooperation within the and Narromine. The ComicsCraft sessions were supported region. Thank you also to the Executive Officer, Mark Riley with the assistance of a Country Arts Support Program for guidance and advice ensuring that the Library offers a (CASP) grant. Over 100 adults and children took the high standard of service to the member Council’s. opportunity to learn more about illustration and designing graphic novels.

Big Blue sculpture During the year, the Dubbo Branch was home to “Big Blue”, a two-part larger than life draught horse wire sculpture, standing in a feeding position and covered in bright blue John Bayliss hay string. The sculpture, by Tasmanian artist Nick Adams Director was an interesting talking point at the entry to the Library. Macquarie Regional Library

read | watch | listen Macquarie Regional Library 7 TechniLibrarycal Services Services Branch and Collections

The Library Services and Collections Branch supports all Macquarie Regional Library Website branches of the Macquarie Regional Library through the The library website is currently being redeveloped to ensure delivery of services and programs, including the library a dynamic and modern user experience for the community. website, all promotional material for the public, development Use of the website and social media for the year has of collections, and development of children’s programs increased markedly from the previous year and includes: including the very successful Summer Reading Program. • Website Page Views 161,108 Support has been provided to Dunedoo and Dubbo Branches • Website Visits (sessions) 69,808 in the refurbishments and in particular the temporary • Website Unique Visitors 26,471 relocation of the Dubbo Branch. Assistance has been • Online Queries (Contact Us) 209 provided in the management of the branch, planning the • MRL Facebook Likes New 212 move, layout designs and graphic designs. • MRL Facebook Likes Total 694 Collection management • MRL Facebook Posts 295 • MRL Twitter Followers New 164 • Collections at all branches continue to be developed • MRL Twitter Followers Total 822 to meet the needs of each community. With the • MRL Twitter Tweets 106 refurbishment of Dunedoo and Dubbo branches Young Peoples Programs extensive deselection has ensured collection currency. • The Summer Reading Program was successfully • A new collection has been established in Dubbo, Quick developed and delivered to all branches and included Picks, which allows for bestsellers to be easily available. all promotional material, prizes and programs for • Implemented standing orders for some collections. delivery across a two month period at all branches. • Extra funding has been used in smaller branches to • Eight individual school holiday programs were develop large print and audio book collections. developed for delivery at branches across the region • Specialist collections such as Find Legal Answers, HSC with a total attendance of 1,100 children. In total 52 and Drug Info have been maintained at all branches. school holiday kits were developed by this branch and The inclusion of Books on Prescription in the Dubbo delivered by 8 branches across the region. Branch will provide the public with extensive mental • Storytime programs continue to be developed for health resources. delivery by branches. Storytime is very popular at most • E-books, e-audio and e-magazines have maintained branches and demand for programs continues with their popularity and collections have been increased in both Narromine and Coonabarabran branches offering line with demand. All collections have had an increase a second weekly program to meet demand. of over 50% in loans from the previous 12 months. • Book Week was supported by the provision of short • Databases have been reviewed and changes made for listed books and individual programs to all branches. more effective provision of e-information. • Supported staff at branches to deliver new and innovative programs with the animated Lego packages.

Marketing and Promotion • The annual Marketing and Promotion Plan for the library service was developed in line with and reported on the outcomes of the plan on a 6 monthly basis. • Flyers, posters and other promotional material developed to promote all events and activities at the library. In all 130 events were promoted through the website and branches provided with promotional period during the year. • 28 e-newsletters were developed and sent to 3,153 subscribed library members. • Reviewed weekly and fortnightly newspaper columns Collections at all branches are continually developed. from branches.

Lindy Allan Manager Library Services and Collections

8 Macquarie Regional Library read | watch | listen InformationTechnical Services Services Branch

Total items ordered 12,765

Total purchased items catalogued 14,168

Total donated items catalogued 908

Total items discarded 16,420

The main focus of the Technical Services Branch is the acquisition and cataloguing of library resources for the Macquarie Regional Library collection. The acquisitions process involves the placing of orders for items selected by Library Services and Collections Branch on the Spydus Library Management system, liaising with suppliers, and receiving items and handling invoices.

The cataloguing process involves creating and/or updating bibliographic records, name and subject headings authority control and database maintenance, and utilizing national and international cataloguing standards and guidelines. All new items are catalogued to ensure they are as accessible as possible to library users via the library catalogue, which is available in the libraries and via the library website.

A number of collection changes occurred during the year. The Mobile Library collections were either reintegrated into MRL branch collections or item records for TAFE holdings were deleted, removing the Mobile Library as a branch location.

The collections of cassettes and videocassettes had only a few outdated items remaining. These items were deleted and the collections have now been suspended.

New collections added were Quick Pick Fiction, Quick Pick Non-fiction and Carers Collection Books on Prescription.

E-audio and E-book collections had a change to their Helen Thompson unpacking new cataloguing procedure to enable them to show as ‘physical’ books for the collections. items in the library catalogue.

Special projects the team participated in throughout the year included planning for Dunedoo Branch and Dubbo Branch refurbishments, including development of a shelving layout plan for the temporary Dubbo Branch location in the Mitre 10 building, and assisting with the relocation of shelving and collections during the Dunedoo Branch and Dubbo Branch refurbishments. Anne Barwick The assistance of Catherine Stein and Mary Androutsos Manager providing support at various times throughout the year was Technical Services greatly appreciated.

read | watch | listen Macquarie Regional Library 9 Information Technology

Highlights for 2015/2016 that had reached End of Life. The new firewalls are also NBN ready. The funding also allowed for the deployment of an Dubbo Branch Library is now able to offer mobile printing additional Wireless Access Point at the Dubbo Library to facilities for library customers utilising Envisionware’s improve Wi-Fi coverage for hotspot users and staff. mobile printing platform. With this service, anyone can print documents or emails directly from their mobile device to the Library printer whether this be a tablet, smartphone or Looking to the future, upcoming projects for 2016-2017 laptop. The service is being well utilised with over 300 pages include: being printed in the last quarter of the financial year alone. • Upgrade of the Library Management System to Spydus version 10 (Nov-Dec 2016) The installation of RFID at the Dubbo Branch Library was • Upgrade of the telecommunications system a major project this year and was a component of the • Provision of NBN Internet services to improve internet Dubbo Branch Library refurbishment project. RFID (Radio access speeds Frequency Identification) allows an item to be tracked and • Upgrade to the Library website communicated with by radio waves.

The system requires the placement of an RFID tag in each David MacBeth library item and the tag is coded with the item barcode Manager number which links to the library management system. Information Technology Installation of the system involved purchasing two RFID reader pads for staff at the circulation desk, a self-check terminal, a returns chute and a security gate installed above the entry/exit doors. On return, items are placed through the returns chute, which automatically returns the item through the library system and re-enables the security. The self-check terminal allows borrowers to issue their own items to their library card which has proved.

28 PCs were purchased during 2015-2016 to replace existing desktop computer hardware across the region. Each PC is replaced as part of a 3 year rolling replacement program with approximately one third of the fleet being replaced each year. The program helps protect against hardware failures and other issues associated with ageing computer hardware. The old computers replaced during the rollout will be offered for sale to the general public at the next book sale.

New photocopiers were also purchased for Trangie and Dunedoo Libraries, allowing colour photocopying and printing services to be offered where previously this was not an option. The photocopiers were purchased on a 5 year government contract which includes the supply of all toner consumables and associated hardware maintenance David demonstrates the new self which minimises printing costs over the lifetime of the service system at Dubbo Branch. photocopier. Utilising funding provided through the State Library – NSW. net, new Sonicwall VPN firewalls were installed at each Branch and Service Point to replace the existing firewalls

10 Macquarie Regional Library read | watch | listen Dubbo

Dubbo Branch Library

Population served 41,573

Number of registered borrowers 21,800

Number of visitations 116,592

Number of loans 192,122

Number of information requests 6,197

Number of items held 77,427

The Dubbo Branch Library has had another successful year with a wide range of programs and activities delivered across all age groups. The major project has been the massive refurbishment to modernise the library interior to meet the Staff worked tirelessly to pack changing and future needs of the community. up the library to move... The redesign will create an improved space, with additional casual furniture, improved individual and small group study areas, meeting rooms, improved layout of collections and improved display space. The library closed 14 March and the stock was packed into over 1,500 boxes and moved to a temporary location at Mitre 10. The library operated from Mitre 10 with full services from 29 March to 8 June when it closed again to commence the process of moving back to the refurbished building. The provision of a revitalised library will ensure improved access to facilities that support learning for all ages. • Provide an inspiring and inviting library building, with a ...and then to unpack and set up look and feel of quality and sustainability. the temporary library at Mitre 10. • Present the collections in a more customer focused manner, incorporating more face out display. Library and Information Week, 23 - 29 May 2016. • Provide additional areas for quiet conversation, casual Events held by the Branch included – reading and study. Discover your ancestors’ Workshop with advice on how to successfully search genealogy websites Ancestry.com and • Provide better facilities to create the library as a other library resources. community hub for all members of the community. National Simultaneous Storytime with the book I Got This • Showcase historical resources of the local area. Hat by Jol and Kate Temple read by guest presenter Camilla Ward from the Macquarie Conservatorium. • Offer a multifunctional space for a range of activities Tech Day with staff available to provide hands-on assistance including exhibitions, children’s storytelling, community with downloading e-books, e-magazines and e-audiobooks meetings. to an iPad, tablet or other mobile device. Workshops on Highlights of the year included – How to use an iPad/How to use a Tablet were also held. “Smile Its Christmas”. The library took part in the Macquarie Dads For Kids Festival, 22 May 2016 was supported by Street promotion by creating a large Christmas tree made library staff who read stories and provided advice on the entirely from recycled books. Set in the front window and lit library services and programs on the day. There were 250 with Christmas lights, it was a great talking point. visitors to the library stand.

read | watch | listen Macquarie Regional Library 11 Dubbo

library decorated in the “Lost Worlds” theme and staff provided a rolling program of activities. The afternoon was very successful with a large number of children joining the Summer Reading Club. Over 350 children registered, with 300 completed reading logs returned, which equates to 1000 hours of reading by participants.

Special events and activities

Author Nicole Alexander shared stories about the early settlement history of the north western region of NSW and contact between settlers and Aboriginal inhabitants of the area. She also discussed her book, the writing process and the publicity demands of being an author.

Recycled books and keen staff make a beautiful Christmas tree. Westhaven commenced a weekly program in August that provides a structured activity with stories, songs and crafts session for residents who visit the library with carers.

The Bobbin-lace Makers Group held demonstrations and provided a display of their craft on Wednesday 21 and 28 October.

Michael Caulfield visited for Remembrance Day and presented a fascinating insight into the lives of people from across the country. Michael produced the television series “ at War” 2001, which led to the establishment of the Australians at War Film Archive, with recorded stories Young People’s Services of over Australians and their war experiences. From this, 21 stories were presented in the book Voices of War. Lego program In partnership with Buninyong Public School, the library Sit n’ Knit, a new monthly program was launched in May provided a program for students using Lego, purchased 2016 and has proved very popular. through a Fundability Grant from the Northcott Society. The aim of the program was to break down barriers and Lego for Youth Week. The Branch hosted a youth activity integrate disabled students into mainstream activities. where participants were encouraged to use the library’s In Term 4 2015, the program was extended to Dubbo South collection of Lego to build a design of their own choosing Public School who have commenced weekly sessions. and visitors to the library were encouraged to vote for their favourite designs. Children’s Book Week “Books Light Up our World” 22-28 August 2015. Flashing lights were a feature of the children’s Legal Check Up area displays, and there were hundreds of entries in the Law Week in May is a nationwide initiative to promote Book Week Colouring Competition. Several classes visited community awareness and understanding of the law. The the library, particularly for the visit by author Rachel Spratt library’s Find Legal Answers Collection promotes legal who read from her book and entertained the students. information in plain English. The Branch held a free legal checkup session. This was September School Holiday Activities were themed “Dive developed by Legal Aid NSW to diagnose legal problems and into Reading” and all sessions were fully booked with refer people to free legal help in their community. Members additional sessions added to meet demand. of the community with a civil law problem were able to book One program using Lego and Stop Animation software in for a free 10 minute session with a Legal Aid lawyer. proved particularly popular. The resulting short films are available for viewing on the MRL YouTube channel. The Very Hungry Caterpillar visited in May, for an exclusive and sneak peak of The Very Hungry Caterpillar show from Summer Reading Club was launched 1 December with the the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre.

12 Macquarie Regional Library read | watch | listen

The new EnvisionWare Computer Booking System is proving very popular with customers and staff. Wellington

Wellington Branch Library Young People’s Services • Story Time program runs on Wednesdays during school Population served 9,054 term with about 20 regular attendees and is a popular Number of registered borrowers 3,394 program. In 2016 guests included a children’s book illustrator, a pet and a local historian. Number of visitations 38,308 • The National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA) conducted an Oral History Workshop in Number of loans 30,177 partnership with the library in August 2015 with 15 high school students attending researching their family Number of information requests 7,582 history. • Summer Reading Club was launched on 2 December Number of items held 21,638 2015 and continued until January with 75 children registered and 29 completed logs. • School holiday programs over this year included Library events and activities themes of Snow Day, Dive into Reading, Lost Worlds and Building with 125 children attending across 8 • Children’s Book Week 23 to 29 August 2015 included a sessions. special Book Week Storytime and 20 school visits with • A Young Adult portrait workshop in July 2015 was over 450 students participating. attended by 15 young people. • The Home Library Service supports a number of • School groups that visited the library included Stuart members in the community with book deliveries Town, Wellington High School (study groups for the fortnightly. HSC and Year 11 Early Childhood class) and Wellington • Five technology workshops were held in 2016 with Public School. sessions on internet, email and tablet use. • The Day in the Park Youth Week Event ran in April • Law Week in May featured a Legal Check-Up run 2016 and 35 attended the in-library component. The by Legal Aid with a number of people attending the library partnered with Mission , WINS, PCYC, session. Communities for Children and Barnardos. • Library and Information Week, 23 - 28 May 2016 included an internet class, National Simultaneous Storytime, an Origami Workshop and a guide to the Historic Wellington Times online. Amy Swan Manager Special events and activities Wellington Branch Library

• NAIDOC Baiyai Library Day on 9 July 2015 was attended by over 100 people including the Mayor at the time, Rod Buhr, Karen Roberts and MP Mark Coulton. This event included storytelling from Elders Joyce Williams, Violet Lousick and teacher Roberta Playford as well as music from Luke Towney. • Attended the Community Day organised by Communities for Children and Barnardos to read stories. • Attendance at the Barnardos Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) Day in July 2015. • Wrap with Love, a knitters group, continued to meet in the library during winter and produced an amazing 64 Children in a “Lost World” of their own at a school holiday workshop. rugs for charity. • Michael Caulfield spoke on 11 November 2015 on his latest WWI oral history project.

read | watch | listen Macquarie Regional Library 13 Narromine

Narromine Shire Council • At Timbrebongie House, 49 children/residents attended Storytime. Population served 6,854 • Eight children attended launch of the Summer Reading Club. 38 registered and 17 attended the ‘Wrap’ party. Narromine Branch Library Special Events/Activities Number of registered borrowers 2,552 • Author Annette Russell, presented a copy of her book Number of visitations 28,877 to the Local History Room. • 21 young people attended a Comic workshop by Number of loans 23,083 graphic artist, Matthew Lin. • Members of Narromine Day/Respite Care visited the Number of information requests 3,448 library. • Krazy 4 Kraft Art Christmas Expo attracted over 600 Number of items held 15,113 visitors. • Tech Savvy sessions on computer basics were held in Seniors Week. Library Events and Activities • The Winter Reading Program was launched in Library & • 157 members utilized the Home Library Service. Information Week. • Narromine Family & Local History Room received 345 • 25 young people attended the launch of the new Gen Z information requests. club, Book and Board GameZ. • 32 residents of Timbrebongie House attended Words • 35 children attended National Simultaneous Storytime. on Wheels programs. • The library participated in the annual Reading Hour • 63 Book Club members attended meetings. activity. • Staff provided assistance with eResources at the Tech • Drug Info Week was acknowledged with a book and Tuesday sessions. poster display. • 111 members of Break Thru People Solutions visited on • Law Week was acknowledged with a Find Legal Answers 25 occasions. promotion. • 20 seniors sought help with One-on-One basic computer training. Sally Rider • The library was used for tutoring, interviews, access Manager visits, Wi-Fi and meetings. Narromine Branch Library • Aboriginal artefacts, on loan from the Njarru Mayon Elders Group, were displayed.

Young People’s Services • 1,054 children attended Pre-school Storytime. • 195 children attended Baby Rhyme Time. • Comedian Andy Jones, entertained 40 young people and adults. • 366 children from Narromine Christian School visited on 14 occasions. • 80 students from Narromine High visited on 12 occasions. • 48 children from Narromine Preschool visited twice. • 87 children attended eight school holiday sessions. • 128 children from Narromine Vacation Care attended school holiday activities. • 63 youths attended three sessions of holiday activities. • 260 children, youths and adults utilised the passive activity table during school holidays. Comedian, Andy Jones, entertains a • 310 children, youths and adults utilised the passive crowd at Narromine. activity table after school. • Class visits by 655 students for Children’s Book Week.

14 Macquarie Regional Library read | watch | listen Trangie

Trangie Branch Library

Number of registered borrowers 781

Number of visitations 15,666

Number of loans 8,387

Number of information requests 1,563

Number of items held 9,357

Library Events /Activities • The weekly Tech Thursday program provided help with e-Resources. • Library and Information Week celebrated with the launch of the Winter Reading Program and Discover E-books sessions. • Trangie Local History Group continues to meet in the library monthly. • The Trangie Interagency Group meets regularly in the library. National Simultaneous Storytime was a hit across the whole region. • The Challenge Disability group visited the library regularly during the year.

Young People’s Services • 218 children participated in After School Fun Zone activities during the year. • 212 school children visited the library during Children’s Book Week. • 70 children attended National Simultaneous Storytime. • Two holiday programs were held during each of the July, September, January and April School Holidays with 94 children participating. Over 300 young people participated in passive creative activities during school holiday periods. • 49 children enrolled in the Summer Reading Club, with over 250 books read.

Special Events/Activities talk by Norma Meadley on the history of Narromine • Introduction to the Internet, Email Basics, Getting newspapers. Started with Facebook, Basic Computer Skills and • Guest speaker David James spoke to the members of Internet Safety workshops were presented. the Local History Group May 2016. • A talk by Maurice Campbell on The Miracle of Villers Bretonneux was held in November. • Trangie Interagency staged a Family Fun Day in the park at the library in March 2016, attended by approximately Katie Rourke 260 people. Branch Library Officer • Seniors Week was celebrated in April 2016 with a Trangie Branch Library

read | watch | listen Macquarie Regional Library 15 Coonabarabran

Warrumbungle Shire Council • School holiday programs were conducted each week in September/October 2015, in January 2016, and once Population served 9,786 per week in April, July. In January, a music/comedy performance by Andy Jones attracted 29 attendees. Coonabarabran Branch Library • Each fortnight, the Special Education class from Coonabarabran High School visited the library for an hour of reading and activities. Number of registered borrowers 2,455

Number of visitations 29,752 Special Events/Community Engagement Activities

Number of loans 24,287 • Arts presented a writing workshop attended by 10 people. Number of information requests 2,917 • Gardening Club, Flix in the Stix, Konnect Employment, Interact Employment, Sewing Circle used the library as Number of items held 14,180 the venue for their meetings. • Displays were mounted in the library by St. Lawrence’s Library Events and Activities School, Coonabarabran Public School, Girl Guides and • Children’s Book Week – August 19-26, 12 classes (288 the TAFE Welding class. students) from Coonabarabran Public School and Saint • The Winter Reading program proved popular with Lawrence’s School visited the library to enjoy the borrowers, with dozens of entries. award-winning children’s books. • Home Library Service – library items were selected and distributed to 11 housebound clients. • Warrumbungle Book Club – each month the Warrumbungle Book Club meet in the library for discussion and afternoon tea. • Tech Savvy Thursdays started in June, with members of the public being assisted with accessing MRL’s e-resources. • Wrap with Love knitting group met in the library each Monday from June until September. This is a co- operative program between the local knitters and the library. • Law Week – Year 11 students from Coonabarabran High School visited the library for a one hour long session of research using the library’s catalogue and e-resources. • Library and Information Week, May 2016 – celebrated with National Simultaneous storytime, an outreach storytime at Binnaway Preschool and audio-visual presentation of recent advances in astronomy featuring Donna Burton.

Young People’s Services • Preschooler’s storytime continued a twice-weekly program due to the overwhelming numbers of attendees. This program continues to attract around 25 attendees each Wednesday and 6-10 attendees most Storytime is so popular it is now on Fridays. twice a week at Coonabarabran. • Summer Reading Club attracted 50 participants of whom 20 completed the program.

16 Macquarie Regional Library read | watch | listen Baradine Binnaway

Baradine Service Point Binnaway Service Point

Number of registered borrowers 328 Number of registered borrowers 138

Number of visitations 1,338 Number of visitations 480

Number of loans 1,894 Number of loans 1,079

Number of information requests 318 Number of information requests 89

Number of items held 4,118 Number of items held 2,228

Highlights for the year Highlights for the year A new event, the very successful monthly ‘Third Thursday • Re-arranged shelving of library stock to improve display Club’, commenced at the beginning of 2016 and covered a and highlight the most popular collections. wide variety of topics: • Continual weeding of older, unused books to maintain • February Travel Log – a slide presentation on India, the an attractive, up-to-date collection. Middle East and Indonesia by a local globe-trotter; • Improvements to the Wi-Fi connection for circulation • March Meet the Author – local historian presented laptop which made the service faster and improved information gathered during the compilation of her reliability. history of the Pilliga; • The Coonabarabran Branch Manager collaborated with • April Magic of Music – a recital by two accomplished Binnaway Preschool to provide a Children’s Book Week musicians on the harp and flute; storytime and a Library Information Week storytime • May Star Trek–a celestial journey through our universe session. and beyond with a local astronomer; • Collaborated with the Binnaway Book Club to provide • June Health Matters – health and wellbeing information access to Book Club Kits on a monthly basis. from a former community nurse. • Book Week activities with excellent participation in the colouring-in competition by both local schools • School holiday activities on the themes of Peter Pan, Dive into Reading and Magic. • Young Peoples activities focussed on students in years 5 and 6 with the regular ‘Discover the Library’ visits. • Window displays promoting community and library events continue to attract attention.

Gary Furnell Manager Coonabarabran Branch Library

Baradine is alive with music during a recital at Third Thursday Club.

read | watch | listen Macquarie Regional Library 17 Coolah

Coolah Branch Library throughout December and January. • Storytime for pre-schoolers was held each week during Number of registered borrowers 1,136 school term. • Local schools visited during Children’s Book Week. Number of visitations 19,901 • A weekly after school Fun Zone program commenced in October 2015. Number of loans 9,542 • 21 children attended National Simultaneous Storytime. • A combined Seniors and Youth Week Movie night was Number of information requests 667 held in April 2016. • A Lego stop motion animation workshop was held in Number of items held 11,329 April 2016 for Youth Week. • Several classes from local schools visited the library. Library events and activities • A craft table with a variety of activities was available • Library Lover’s Day was celebrated in February 2016. at all times. • Book Club meetings were held every month. • The Home Library service delivered items to members Special events/activities at Coolah Hospital. • A monthly Creative Minds program commenced in • Tech Tuesdays offered customers assistance with March 2016. downloading e-resources. • Library and Information Week was celebrated with a variety of displays throughout the week and a morning Young People’s Services tea for the launch of the Winter Reading Program. • School holiday activities included themes of Snow • Law Week – a display of LIAC resources. Days, Dive into Reading, Lost Worlds and Build it Up. • A Computer Basics tutorial was held February 2016. • Two Creative Journaling workshops were held in July 2015 and Two Weaving workshops were held in Julie Sherlock October 2015. Branch Library Officer • The Summer Reading Club was launched in December Coolah Branch Library 2015 with participants completed their reading logs

Building fun at Baradine in the holidays.

Snow fun at Coolah in the school holidays.

18 Macquarie Regional Library read | watch | listen Dunedoo Mendooran

Dunedoo Branch Library Mendooran Service Point

Number of registered borrowers 729 Number of registered borrowers 209

Number of visitations 13,752 Number of visitations 403

Number of loans 7,016 Number of loans 649

Number of information requests 582 Number of information requests 94

Number of items held 6,437 Number of items held 2,578

Library events and activities • The branch refurbishment including the construction of a new ‘wing’, was completed in February giving the library a bright, fresh look with new carpet, paint, shelving and furniture. • Tech Tuesday is a new program for Dunedoo providing the public with assistance accessing the library E-resources. • Sit & Knit is another new program that commenced in April with the participants sharing their knitting skills and patterns.

Young People’s Services activities • School holiday activities continue to be popular with excellent attendance during the year. • National Simultaneous Storytime was well attended with 34 thoroughly entertained children. • The Summer Reading Club was another huge success with 26 children signing up and reading books over summer.

Special events/activities • For Library and Information Week, the branch held three sessions on Discovering Ancestors by using the library’s databases. • Book Week attracted five class visits with 113 children learning about the resources available in the library. The library was decorated with unbelievable posters from the competition that was held with a fantastic response submitted by the children.

Melissa Farrow

Branch Library Officer The newly refurbished Dunedoo Dunedoo Branch Library Branch is bright and airy.

read | watch | listen Macquarie Regional Library 19 Coolah 59 Binnia Street Tel/fax 6377 1910 Coonabarabran John Street Tel/fax 6842 1093 Dubbo Cnr Macquarie and Talbragar Streets Tel 6801 4510 | Fax 6801 4529 Dunedoo 42 Bolaro Street Tel/fax 6375 1468 Narromine Dandaloo Street Tel/fax 6889 1088 Regional Office Cnr Macquarie and Talbragar Streets Tel 6801 4501 | Fax 6801 4529 Trangie 30 Dandaloo Street Tel/fax 6888 7501 Wellington Percy Street Tel/fax 6845 2156 Baradine Wellington Street Tel/fax 6843 1947 Binnaway Renshaw Street Tel/fax 6844 1733 Mendooran Bandulla Street Tel/fax 6886 1657

mrl.nsw.gov.au