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’.
My Library
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View the Library Events and Programs Calendar
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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.
April BacchChat - Saturday 6th, 10am - 12noon- Forever Young
Audio of February BacchChat- Human connections in a digital world
Audio of March BacchChat- The Search for Other Worlds
With thanks to Apple FM
2019 Peter Carey Short Story, the inaugural Moorabool Shire Libraries’ Best Local Entry Award and Moorabool Young Writers' Award
The Peter Carey Short Story Award entries have closed for 2019. All entries have been sent to our initial longlisting judges.
Longlisted entries will be judged by Nic Low, a Ngāi Tahu Māori and European New Zealand writer of wilderness, technology and politics.
Longlisted stories will be announced in May 2019.
The winning entry receives $1000, while the runner-up wins $500.
Both stories will be published in the Spring 2019 edition of Meanjin. Both stories will receive Meanjin’s standard contributor fee for their work.
In 2019, we will also be presenting one outstanding entry with the Moorabool Shire Libraries’ Best Local Entry Award. Writers who enter the Peter Carey Short Story Award and who live, work or study in Moorabool Shire are eligible for consideration.
The winning story will receive $250 and have an extract of their story published locally. (confirmed in early 2019)
Moorabool Young Writers Award
Moorabool Shire Libraries and Moorabool Writers Craft will once again host the Moorabool Young Writers’ Awards. These awards aim to promote a love of writing
in the Shire, and will recognise the finest young writers in the district. The competition will be open from mid March to mid April 2019, with winners announced on 1st June at an afternoon
tea held in conjunction with the Peter Carey Short Story Award. Stories will be judged in three categories and are open to all those who meet the age requirements, AND who work, live, or study in Moorabool Shire.
Both a winner and a runner-up will be awarded for each category. Please complete an entry form along with your submission and drop it into any library branch by 2pm Saturday 27 April, 2019.
See Terms and conditions for more information.
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.
Next screening is on Friday 29, March 10.30am with the film My Fair lady featuring Audrey Hepburn.
Author Talk
Author talks and book signings are held throughout the year at Ballan and Bacchus Marsh by local and popular authors.
Featured Authors
Book your free ticket Book your free ticket
Saturday, 27 April, 10am Saturday, 8 June, 10am
Bacchus Marsh Library Ballan Library
It was a crazy idea for a grand adventure – Heather will discuss her novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz,
and it changed them in ways they never imagined. based on the true story of Holocaust survivors Lale and Gita Sokolov.
Library Programs
STEAM LAB
Moorabool Shire Libraries are introducing a new program for tweens and teens titles “STEAM Lab workshops”.
STEAM focuses on learning through Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics.
These activities will be held at both Ballan and Bacchus Marsh branches.
Term 2
Bacchus Marsh- Sphero Balls and Robotics- bookings required
Sessions start Thursday 9th May for 6 consecutive weeks.
Please note that bookings are essential and it is a requirement that you are available to attend each week.
Ballan- Lego stop motion and board games- bookings required
Sessions will be held each Friday, 3.30-4.30pm during the school term.
Get Crafty!
School Holiday Program
Autumn School Holiday Program
Online bookings open Monday 25th March 8.30am
Week1
Monday 8 April- Bacchus Marsh Library- Henny Penny Arrives
Tuesday 9 April- STEAM Lab- Bacchus Marsh Library 10am session 12 noon session * Ages 8+
Wednesday 10 April- Ballan Library - Auslan class 10am *All Ages
Thursday 11 April- Bacchus Marsh- Movie (Hop) 10am *All Ages
Thursday 11 April- Bacchus Marsh- Cartooning 1-3pm * Ages 12+
Friday 12 April- Ballan Library- STEAM Lab 10am session 12noon session *Ages 8+
Week 2
Monday 15 April- Bacchus Marsh Library- Sock Bunny Craft- 10am *All Ages (Booked out, waitlist available)
Tuesday 16 April- Bacchus Marsh Library- Easter Origami Bookmarks- 10am *All Ages (Booked out, waitlist available)
Wednesday 17 April- Ballan Library- Easter Egg hunt and Craft- 10am session (Booked out, waitlist available) 12 noon session *All Ages
Thursday 18 April- Bacchus Marsh- Teen Whatever Club- 1-3pm *Ages 12+
Thursday 18 April- Bacchus Marsh- Easter Egg hunt and Craft- 10am Session 12 noon session *All Ages (Sold out, waitlist available)
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
Rhyme Time
Bacchus Marsh - Tuesdays 10.00am
Ballan - Wednesdays 10.00am
Pre-School Storytime
Bacchus Marsh - Thursdays 10.30am
Ballan - Wednesdays 10.30am
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 Through Her Eyes
Celebrating International Women's day!
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.
Tech help is also available at the Ballan Library on Fridays between 9.30am and 3.30pm. Phone 0419 519 650 to book.
We 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, Wednesdays between the hours of 10.00am and 12 noon on the following dates:
20 February, 6 and 27 March, 3 and 17 April, 1, 8 and 27 May, 5 and 19 June 2019.
A registered JP will be available to certify documents, witness statutory declarations, affidavits, enduring power of attorney or signatures. This is a free 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 | 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 | Greendale- Egans Reserve | 12.45pm - 1.15pm |
| Blackwood- Memorial Hall | 1.30pm - 2.00pm | |
| Blackwood- Main St, along from General Store | 2.00pm - 2.30pm |
