What’s on in January!?

January 2024

Welcome to the Muswellbrook Shire Libraries eNewsletter – the best way to stay up to date with all the news and events from the Muswellbrook and Denman Branches. Don’t forget to follow us on our new Instagram or Facebook for ongoing news and events.

This month Muswellbrook and Denman Libraries have a range of activities for all ages, including our school holiday activities and summer reading program. Be sure to check out what’s on below and contact your local branch for more information.

Our adult programs will resume as normal in February.

Our activities are inclusive. Please contact Muswellbrook or Denman library if you would like to discuss any supports for your family prior to attending.

LATEST NEWS

Australia Day Public Holiday Closure

Muswellbrook Shire Libraries will be closed on Friday January 26, 2024.

Muswellbrook Library will reopen from 10AM, Saturday January 27, 2024.
Denman Library will reopen from 10AM, Monday January 29, 2024.

Return chutes at Muswellbrook and Denman Libraries will be open during this time.

Access our online library 24/7, borrow and download eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines and more. Click here for more information.

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Summer Reading: Race Across Space
December 1, 2023 – January 22, 2024

Race across space this Summer at the Library! Jump from planet to planet completing reading challenges and activities to earn pool passes!

This year our libraries are partnering with the Muswellbrook Shire Aquatic Centres to encourage reading throughout the Summer School Holidays!! Throughout the challenge, participants can log their reading and complete activities to earn entry passes in to our local pools!

The Summer Reading Challenge opens for registrations on 1 December with pool entry passes up for grabs until 22 January.

Click here to go to the library website for more information on the upcoming reading challenges or download the Beanstack Tracker app from Google Play or the App Store for access on-the-go.

Unable to access Beanstack online? See staff at Muswellbrook or Denman Library branches and receive a printed challenge pack. The same challenges and the same great rewards!

CURRENT EXHIBITS

DISCOVERING ILUKA WITH MAUDE BUTTA
Commencing early January

Having spent much time in her motor home at Iluka in Northern NSW over the last couple of winters. Maude fell in love with the place, the people, and especially the rainforest, capturing what she discovered through prints and sketches. 

Maude is a Denman local and was awarded the Works on Paper, Viola Bromley Art Prize in 2023.

This collection will contain mixed media including acrylic painting and collage.

WHAT’S ON FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

STORY TIME AND BABY RHYME TIME

Join us weekly at our story time and rhyme sessions filled with stories, song and creativity.

MUSWELLBROOK LIBRARY’S SESSIONS

Baby Rhyme Time: Monday mornings at 10:00AM – 10:45AM.

Sessions will resume on January 8.

Story Time and Craft: Thursday mornings at 10:00AM – 11:00AM.

Sessions will resume on January 11.

DENMAN LIBRARY’S SESSIONS

Rhyme Time sessions will run weekly on Mondays from 10:00AM.

Sessions will resume on January 22.

Interested in attending a session but can’t make it to these times? We would love to hear from you! Contact us at Muswellbrook Library on 6543 1913.

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LEGO CLUB

Join in on Lego building challenges that will make you think outside the box and push your building skills to the limit.

MUSWELLBROOK LIBRARY’S SESSIONS

Muswellbrook Library’s Lego Club is held on the first and third Mondays of each month.
Monday, January 15 from 3:45PM to 4:45PM.

DENMAN LIBRARY’S SESSION

Denman Library’s Lego Club is held on the second Monday of each month.
Monday, January 8 from 3:30PM to 4:30PM.

Contact your local branch for more information.

Suitable for ages 6 – 12 years.
Children under the age of 13 must be supervised by an adult at all times.

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GALAXY SLIME

Create slime that is out of this world at Muswellbrook and Denman Libraries with our hands on galaxy slime activity!

Muswellbrook Library: Wednesday, January 10 at 10AM
Denman Library: Thursday, January 11 at 10AM

Suitable for ages 5 years and older.

Bookings essential. Contact Muswellbrook Library on 6543-1913 or Denman Library on 6547-2208 to book.

Click here for more information.

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ESCAPE ROOM

Get together with some friends and come to Muswellbrook Library for an out of this world escape room! Get your ship to safety by completing puzzles and riddles with a group of up to five friends!

Muswellbrook Library: Tuesday, January 16 and Wednesday, January 17.

This activity is suitable for ages 6-12 years

Bookings essential. Contact Muswellbrook Library on 6543-1913 to book your time slot.

Click here for more information.

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STORY TIME AND ART

Become an artist at Muswellbrook Library for our interactive and hands on Story Time and Art session! This will be a hands on messy activity!

Muswellbrook Library: Thursday January 18 from 10AM

Suitable for ages 3-5 years.

Bookings essential. Contact Muswellbrook Library on 6543-1913 to book.

Click here for more information.

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SPACE ART

Join us for a fun filled art activity at Denman library and create something that is out of this world!

Denman Library: Thursday January 18 from 10AM

Suitable for ages 5-12 years. Younger siblings are welcome.

Bookings essential. Contact Denman Library on 6547-2208 to book.

Click here for more information.

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PIPE CLEANER ALIENS

Create your own pipe cleaner alien at Denman Library. How many eyes, arms and colours is your alien going to have?

Denman Library: Thursday January 25 from 10AM

Suitable for ages 3-5 years.

Bookings essential. Contact Denman Library on 6547-2208 to book.

Click here for more information.

WHAT’S ON FOR ADULTS

BEN’S BOOK CLUB

Join Ben Hobson in conversation with author Jack Heath about his latest book ‘Kill Your Husbands’.

This month’s session will be held on Tuesday January 23, at 7:30PM AEDT

Click here for more information and to book.

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CRAFT GROUP AT MUSWELLBROOK LIBRARY

Join our friendly craft group 10AM Tuesday mornings each fortnight at Muswellbrook Library.

Click here for more information.

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UPPER HUNTER WRITERS COLLECTIVE MEETING

Join the Upper Hunter Writers Collective at the Muswellbrook Library each month for motivation, support and feedback from others who have a passion for writing.

Click here for more information.

OUR SERVICES

HOME LIBRARY SERVICE

Did you know we run a free home library service to housebound members of the Muswellbrook and Denman Communities? We can pick for you, or you can use our online catalogue to make a selection of books, DVDs, CDs and Audio books that pique your interest. We also have audio readers available for members with low to no vision.

Our final delivery for 2023 will be made on January 9 and 24.

For full details or to register visit our website.

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CLICK AND COLLECT

Our FREE Click and Collect services are now available at Muswellbrook and Denman Branches to eligible library members. Reserve things you are interested in or let us make selections for you.

For full details or to register visit our website.

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TECH HELP

These BYO device sessions are designed to help you get started on library digital collections, learn how to use your device and general tech assistance.

These sessions can be booked one-on-one for a maximum of half an hour.

Please contact Muswellbrook Library on 6543 1913 to register your interest.