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’.
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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.
March BacchChat - Saturday 2nd, 10am - 12noon
Audio of February BacchChat- Human connections in a digital world
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 is back for 2019.The award is for stories between 2000 - 3000 words, and is open to all Australian residents. Entries open Monday February 4th and close 6pm AEDT on Thursday March 21st, 2019.
Longlisted entries will be judged by Nic Low, a Ngāi Tahu Māori and European New Zealand writer of wilderness, technology and politics. 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.
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
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.
Each term will run for 6 weeks and will focus on a specific topic.
Please note that bookings are essential and it is a requirement that you are available to attend each week for 6 consecutive weeks.
Term 1
Bacchus Marsh- Cartooning Workshop
Make Your Own Comic Book is a free program for young people aged ten and up.
Sessions will run from 4 to 5 pm every Thursday afternoon from 21 February to 28 March. (21 Feb, 28 Feb, 7 Mar, 14 Mar, 21 Mar, 28 Mar)
Over the course of six weeks, you will discover how to:
1. Invent colourful cartoon characters
2. Write thrilling stories and hilarious gags
3. Design page layouts
4. Use pencil, ink and coloured markers to bring your comics to life
5. Design an eye-catching cover
6. Publish your book!
Places are limited so book now to join in the fun.
Ballan- Sphero Robotic Balls
Sessions will be held each Friday, 3.30-4.30pm from 22nd February to 29th March.
Sphero is a robotic ball and unlike any other game you've seen before. It's a robotic ball gaming device that you control with a tilt, touch, or swing of your smartphone or tablet.
Sphero delivers a unique mixed-reality experience. Draw a shape and Sphero will follow the path. Control Sphero by tilting your tablet back and forth.
Swing your ipad like a golf club and Sphero will be the golf ball. With every new app you download, you'll experience this robotic ball in a new and fun way.
No bookings required.
Get Crafty!
School Holiday Program
Congratulations to all the children that participated in the Summer Reading Program 2018/2019.
Keep a look out for our Autumn School Holiday Program schedule!
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
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 |
