Moorabool Shire Council Libraries are a part of the Central Highlands Library Group. Our vision for our community is to ‘engage the community in life-long learning opportunities that enrich their everyday lives’.
Lerderderg Library Extended Opening Hours!
The Lerderderg Library is now open until 8.00pm on Mondays and Thursdays and from 9.00am to 2.00pm on Saturdays.
My Library
Search the catalogue, place holds and renew items at My Library or Bookmyne App via the app store or android device.
(Android) (itunes)
View the Library Events and Programs Calendar
Click on a link to skip to a section.
Events
BacchChat
A free monthly interactive forum, where experienced presenters facilitate enlightening conversations on social issues, philosophy, wellness and life matters with practical applications. Sessions are held the first Saturday of every month (except January) from 10.00am - 12.00noon at the Lerderderg Library.
December BacchChat - Saturday 1st, 10am - 12noon
Come and celebrate the festive season and another year of amazing BacchChat’s with us.
The Bacchus Marsh and Melton Community Theatre group will entertain us followed by some music and a special morning tea.
Saturday 1 December, 10am- 12noon
James Young Room @ Lerderderg Library
Movie Events
Screenings operate at the Lerderderg Library on the last Friday of the month at 10.30am, on a wide variety of films from various genres.
Our next movie session will be on Friday 30 November.
Please contact the library for details regarding the next movie session.
Author Talk
Author talks and book signings are held throughout the year at Ballan and Bacchus Marsh by local and popular authors.
Join actor, author and playwright Sofie Laguna as she discusses her acclaimed new novel The Choke, her first since the Miles Franklin Award-winning The Eye of the Sheep.
Sofie Laguna, Saturday 23 February, 2019, 10.00am at the Ballan Library.
Bookings essential.
Library Programs
Food for Fines
In partnership with the Neighbours Place, Darley Neighbourhood House and Ballan District Health and Care, Moorabool Libraries will be accepting donations of food and personal hygiene items for people in need of community support during the festive season. Donations can be made at Ballan and Lerderderg Libraries.
Get Crafty!
School Holiday Program
Our summer school holiday activities will incorporate the annual Summer Reading Program which will commence on December 3.
This years theme is "Curious Creatures".
The Summer Reading Club is a free holiday reading program for school aged children who are members of the library to help encourage reading during the summer holidays. Participants have the chance to win prizes and take part in member exclusive events.
Participants will receive a lucky dip prize for every 5 visits. For every 10 books or hours read, children will go into the draw for a special grand prize.
Preschool: Favourite Book Series Pack ($30 Value)
Lower Primary (P-2) Family Cinema Pass ($50 Value)
Upper Primary (3-6) Zone Bowling Giftcard ($70 Value)
Secondary: $100 Red Balloon Gift Voucher
Join us for our Launch Party on Monday 3 December, 3.30pm at Bacchus Marsh Library or Friday 7 December, 3.30pm at Ballan Library. Bookings required.
Bacchus Marsh Library Launch Party Bookings Ballan Library Launch Party Bookings
BookChats
Calling all booklovers to join in the conversation!
A book chat is just that – a relaxed chat about the books you’re reading or have read. Share your reading experiences with like minded people over some light refreshments.
New participants are warmly welcomed.
Lerderderg Library: Second Wednesday of each month @10am
1000 Books Before School
1000 Books Before School, a program which encourages parents and carers to read 1000 books with their children before they begin school, is now open for registration!
Reading to preschool-aged children has been shown to develop early literacy by building vocabulary and language skills essential for learning to read.
Given that the average picture book takes just five minutes to read, spend just 15 minutes reading three books with your child each day and you will read 1000 books in a year. Even if you only have five minutes a day, you can reach that milestone in three years.
Visit any Moorabool Library Service or email info@moorabool.vic.gov.au to join the program. You will then receive your first reading record pack for your child.
Throughout your journey, your child will receive special rewards at 100, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 books.
Participating families will also be invited to special milestone events to celebrate the adventure.
Watch a video about 1000 Books Before School program
Download your reading record sheets
Baby Bounce
Bacchus Marsh - Tuesdays 2.30pm
(Recommences Tuesday 6 February)
Rhyme Time
Bacchus Marsh - Tuesdays 10.00am
Ballan - Wednesdays 10.00am
(Recommences Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 February)
Pre-School Storytime
Bacchus Marsh - Thursdays 10.30am
Ballan - Wednesdays 10.30am
(Recommences Wednesday 7 February and Thursday 8 February)
View Bacchus Marsh Program Details
MoorArt Space
Moorabool Shire Libraries offer free gallery space at the Lerderderg Library for artists, community arts groups, students and any creative individual in the wider Moorabool community to showcase their artwork. There are three spaces available including the Moor Art Space, Arena Area and a Glass Cabinet. Exhibitions are on display for one month and advanced bookings are required.
Current Exhibitions
Allowah Artists U3A Bacchus Marsh- Art for Fun painting group
2018 Peter Carey Short Story and Moorabool Young Writers' Award Ceremony
After a large number of high calibre entries from around Australia, we are thrilled to announce our winners for 2018 Peter Carey Short Story Award. With close to 290 entries received, competition has been even more fierce than last year. It is a fantastic tribute to both the influence of Peter Carey, and the wonderful world of short-storytelling.
We are proud to announce, that our winner for the 2nd running of the Peter Carey short Story Award is:
Anne Casey - Being the Mother
Runner up award goes to:
Ben Walter - Flathead out one day
These stories can be read in the spring edition of Meanjin which will be available at the Lerderderg Library, once released. Or you can purchase a copy online from https://meanjin.com.au/
An extract of the winning story will be published in The Moorabool News.
We would like to thank all writers who have submitted to the award. The stories we have received have been a fantastic tribute to both the influence of Peter Carey and the wonderful world of short-storytelling.
Peter Carey Award Longlist and Shortlist Details
Moorabool Young Writers' Award
Moorabool Shire Libraries and Moorabool Writers Craft wish to congratulate all the young people who entered our inaugural Moorabool Young Writers’ Awards. We had over 65 entries from individuals across the municipality. These awards aim to promote a love of writing in the Shire, and will recognise the finest young writers in the district.
Winners were announced on June 2.
Allyse Near with Scarlette, Isaac and Mikayla Anne Casey with Jane Rawson
Library Services and Resources
Home Library Service
The Home Library Service is an outreach program that provides a delivery service to those who are physically unable to access the library directly. Please ask our friendly library staff for more information and to register. Apply Now
Free Technology Help
Free group technology help sessions are provided by our friendly volunteer Ian, every Wednesday at the Lerderderg Library from 9.00am - 12noon.
He can help you with computer basics, basic internet searching, Microsoft Office, email set up, Ipads and android devices, digital photo uploads, facebook basics and online buying and selling tips.
He cannot help you with any online banking, repairs to hardware, software updates, e-tax or internet connection issues.
Contact the library for more information. No bookings required. Please bring along your device that you require help with.
Justice of Peace @ Lerderderg Library
A document signing station will be open in the Lerderderg Library, Bacchus Marsh each Wednesday between the hours of 10.00am and 12 noon.
A registered JP will be available to certify documents, witness statutory declarations, affidavits, enduring power of attorney or signatures. JPs do not charge for this service.
Resources
Storytime Pods
Children and parents can explore and engage in a range of short and fun age specific digital storytelling books for kids, through our new Storytime Pods at the Lerderderg Library. Available in various languages and themes, children can touch the screen and choose from a variety of books to listen to, some featuring famous authors.
Older children can explore the basics of programming through the blocky games series. They can learn programming skills through simple puzzles, mazes, animations and movie design.
Don’t forget that these stories also contribute to your 1000 books before school reading record!
Games, Gaming and Puzzles
A variety of classic and modern board games and puzzles are available for in-library play at Ballan and Lerderderg Library by children, teens, adults, and families.
The Lerderderg library also offers children and young adults in-library use of video gaming systems. These include Nintendo Wii, PlayStation and X-box with a variety of games.
What can I borrow?
- Books, audio books, e-books and e-audio books: 4 weeks
- DVDs, CDs and magazines: 2 weeks
All items can be renewed twice providing they are not on hold to the next borrower.
Did you know the Lerderderg Library offers a sports library?
Lerderderg Library offers the following resources for our community:
- 10 desktop public computers
- Free WiFi (read our Acceptable Use of Internet Policy)
- Printing, fax and copying
- Access to laptops
- Sports library
- Game consoles including Xbox 360, Wii and Playstation 4 consoles
- 2 self loan stations
- Meeting rooms available for hire
Central Highlands Libraries offer a number of online information and databases relating to art, craft and antiques, computers and technology, family history, health, homework help, languages, law, multicultural services, newspapers, magazines and journals.
Tween and Teen Reading
Visit Inside a Dog, a website that is run by the Centre for Youth Literature at State Library Victoria. Inside a Dog is a community hub for bookish teens aged 12-18yrs where they can share their love of reading and books.You can create blogs to share creative writing, discuss your favourite books and invite friends to collaborate.
You can also:
- join online workshops
- be inspired by regular writing prompts
- interact with guest writers in residence
- hear about upcoming events and opportunities
- enter competitions
- connect and collaborate with people who love books as much as you.
Kanopy- free video streaming for library card holders
We stream thoughtful entertainment to your preferred device with no fees and no commercials by partnering with public libraries and universities. Everyone from film scholars to casual viewers will discover remarkable and enriching films on Kanopy. Log in with your library membership and enjoy our diverse catalog with new titles added every month.
Ancestry- free access from public computers @ Lerderderg Library
Ancestry.com.au, Australia and New Zealand's leading family history website, offers members access to one billion searchable Australian, New Zealand and UK family history records.
Library Policies
- General Library Policy
- Public Access Technology- Conditions of use policy
- Unattended Children in the Library Policy
- Fees and Charges
- Code of Conduct
Library Locations and Opening Hours
Lerderderg Library – Bacchus Marsh
Address: 215 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh
Phone: (03) 5366 7100
| Mondays and Thursdays (Trial period until June 2018) | 8.30am - 8.00pm |
| Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays | 8.30am - 5.00pm |
| Saturday | 9.00am - 2.00pm |
| Sunday and Public Holidays | Closed |
Ballan Library
Address: 143 Inglis Street, Ballan
Phone: 0419 519 650
| Wednesday | 9.30am - 1.00pm |
| Friday (New opening time!) | 9.30am - 5.00pm |
| Saturday | 9.30am - 1.00pm |
Regional Mobile Library Service
Phone: 0419 519 650
| Day | Location | Hours |
| Tuesday | St. Brendans PS, Dunnstown | 8.50am - 10.00am |
| St. Mary's PS, Clarke's Hill | 10.50am - 11.10am | |
| Bungaree- In front of General Store | 11.30am - 12.30pm | |
| Gordan- In front of Public Hall | 2.00pm - 3.30pm | |
| Wednesday | Blackwood- In front of Memorial Hall | 1.30pm - 2.00pm |
| Blackwood- Main St, along from General Store | 2.00pm - 2.30pm |
