Free Library Storytime Packs to keep our youngest residents reading

Published on 02 September 2020

Library LOW RES.jpg

Northern Grampians Libraries have created take home storytime packs so shire residents can enjoy a virtual storytime experience at home with their families. This virtual experience replaces regular storytime at the library branches which has been cancelled due to Stage Three restrictions.

The free packs are available for pick up from Stawell and St Arnaud libraries. Each pack contains a craft activity to go along with a video of the story read on council's website. There is also the option to borrow a book on the same theme to take home.

It is also not essential to be a member of the library to receive a pack although Northern Grampians Libraries staff are always welcoming new members to the library. 

To receive a pack residents should register their interest with Stawell library on 03 5358 1274 or St Arnaud library on 03 5495 2188. The libraries will then arrange contactless delivery making the packs available for pick up in the library foyer at a pre-arranged time.

The first pack’s theme is about tractors and will include a tractor book and a split pin digger to cut out, colour in and assemble. For residents who have registered for a pack, the packs will be available for pick up as early as 2 September.

The packs are ideally suited to early primary and pre-school age children and new packs will come out every first and third Wednesday of the month. 

Northern Grampians Shire Mayor, Cr Murray Emerson, was highly encouraging of the Northern Grampians Libraries initiative. 

“What a wonderful way to give the youngest members of our community a continued connection with their libraries and the storytime experience,” he said. 

“We might be enduring significant reductions in socialisation across the shire but we can still provide material that assists with early years literacy and fine motor development in a remote context.” 

“Let’s hope these packs keep our preschoolers entertained and we will see the return of regular library storytime for them in the not too distant future. It will be a great outcome if we see some new faces at the library too.”

Like the Northern Grampians Libraries new social media page at www.facebook.com/nglibraries or by searching @nglibraries on Facebook to receive more information on storytime packs and other library news.

Tagged as: