Thank You Queensland Libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres

This year as we celebrate Queensland Day, we're taking the opportunity to also celebrate the Queenslanders who have been working hard to support their communities though the challenges of COVID 19. This includes the wonderful staff of over 300 public libraries and Indigenous Knowledge Centres who have been working behind closed doors to keep as many services going as possible and coming up with new and creative ways to keep libraries accessible for the smallest of library members. 

As part of the statewide First 5 Forever program, an initiative of the state government, public libraries deliver over 30,000 sessions each year supporting early literacy and spreading the talk read sing play message to the smallest of Queenslanders. It's these little library lovers that least understand the reason for why their regular programs are on hold, and the ones that benefit most from having stories songs and rhymes as part of everyday. Library staff across the state have come to the rescue, to the relief of families everywhere and are moving their programming online. 

Familiar library faces are now talking, singing, playing and sharing stories with Queensland families every week. We are thrilled to see the diversity, creativity, and variety of online offerings that are now available to support families through isolation and change and publicly acknowledge all the hard work behind the scenes to make these sessions a reality.  Check out your local library online to see what the staff have been up to and please take the opportunity to have a look around to see what's happening across Queensland. There are too many to acknowledge them all but here are some great sessions to start with: 

Redlands City Council Libraries Great to see fantastic use of props, costumes, and even STEAM with some bubbles thrown in for good measure.

Livingstone Shire Library Taking stories and rhymes to the next level with added animals, boats and even a trip to the sea, sea, sea.

Fraser Coast Libraries Getting local parents to star in their sessions to bring the sharing stories messages home. 

Paroo Shire Council Linking libraries, literacy and local businesses through sharing the spotlight with stories read by locals.

Ipswich Libraries Using the variety of backyards to create local story sessions that are unique as the staff that live there.

Brisbane City Council Libraries Making the most of their variety of skilled staff and library branch locations to create unique sessions to suit all ages.

Cooktown Library Creating story sessions that make you feel like you're in the room with them.

Flinders Shire Public Library Songs, stories, rhymes and child friendly recipes for good measure.

Lockyer Valley Libraries Going live with their sessions so that children can interact and be part of the language and fun.

Yarrabah Knowledge Centre Sharing a special welcome to all the local families and some wonderful stories, and even a library tour for those missing this special place.