And with the impending arrival of Children’s Book Week 2021, there is no expectation of the trend for the increase in the library’s young readership to end any time soon.
Book Week celebrations, now in their 76th year, will be held from August 21 to 27.
This year there are 95 books on the Young Readers’ “Notable List”, featuring illustrations and stories of Australia’s people, landscapes and histories.
For those interested in checking out the award-winning titles, it can be found on the Children’s Book Week Council of Australia (cbca.org.au) website.
While the book week celebration regularly attracts a fresh litter of new authors, there will be some familiar names for parents — from their own childhood — on the shelves of the children’s section.
These include Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl — the former being known for the likes of the Famous Five and adventure series books while the latter produced a lifetime of titles, notably Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which was eventually adapted for the big screen.
Meanwhile, Echuca library’s story and rhyme times will continue to offer pre-school, toddlers and even the birth-18 months age group their own weekly reading clubs.
Campaspe has library branches in Echuca, Kyabram, Rochester, Rushworth and Tongala, and library depots in Lockington, Gunbower, Colbinabbin, Stanhope and Girgarre.
A third of the 13,500 shire-wide membership actively borrowed 167,198 physical items and 23,587 from the digital library last year.
Librarian Jenny Musty said Campaspe’s library collection grew in size with every passing week.
“Council’s libraries provide safe and welcoming spaces that provide opportunities to connect, to learn and access information,” Ms Musty said.
“Everyone is welcome to visit the library for study or research, attend an activity or just come in for a chat and catch up with other people.”
Ms Musty said the libraries offered a wide range of early literacy programs, regular activities, special events and exhibitions.
“We also have free internet access, printing and scanning facilities,” she said.
“The libraries support several book clubs, with more than 130 book club sets available to loan.”
To join any of the libraries, pop in and fill out membership form, or visit www.campaspe.vic.gov.au/library
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