Alpine Shire Council is encouraging families to take part in Children's Week 2026, running from 24 October to 1 November, through themed Story Time and Rhyme Time sessions at local libraries. The week's theme centres on children's rights to use their own language, enjoy their culture and practise their religion, with stories, songs and activities built around respecting the varied identities and traditions of all young people. Every child attending a session during the week will receive a free storybook to keep.
Ballarat Mayor Tracey Hargreaves is encouraging residents to become library members. The City of Ballarat is developing a new Library Strategy to guide library services over the next four years. Community feedback will help shape priorities for programs, collections, digital services, accessibility and library spaces. Ballarat Libraries has three physical locations, with weekend and extended evening opening hours. A free membership gives access to books, audiobooks, magazines, DVDs and digital resources.
Northern Beaches Libraries is running six free creative workshops across Forestville, Mona Vale and Warringah Mall libraries in October and November. The workshops mark International Day of People with Disability and are run with Studio A, a Sydney studio that supports artists with disability. Adults with and without disability can take part alongside professional artists. Artwork will be shown in a community exhibition at Mona Vale Library from 3 December 2026 to 31 January 2027. Mayor Sue Heins said the program promotes inclusion and connection.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Residents can enjoy free live music at Latrobe City libraries as part of the Live at the Libraries program, running from October to December 2026. Visitors can drop in without booking. Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson said the series showcases local Gippsland musicians and encourages people to use their libraries. Performances include Simply Classical at Traralgon Library on November 21 and Vivace String Quartet's Christmas edition at Moe Library on December 19, both from 9am to 12pm.
Boroondara council will continue its Wellbeing Conversations seminar series in 2026 and 2027. The free, interactive sessions cover a range of health and wellbeing topics. Each session features an expert speaker and local community facilitators. The seminars are hosted at local libraries, and registration is essential because sessions book out. The council has also listed past sessions, including topics such as menopause, mindfulness, anxiety and sleep health.
Writers can learn how to present and protect their work online at a workshop at Logan Central Library on Friday 30 October. Felix Long will lead a session on building an author's digital identity from 10am to 11am. Topics include author profiles, pen names, digital security and algorithms. The workshop is aimed at adults and bookings are required. The library's Writing Friday session follows from 11am, and residents can book online or through Logan Libraries.
Kyogle Council will vote today on whether to prohibit AI-enabled smart glasses in council facilities such as libraries and council buildings. Mayor Danielle Mulholland proposed the motion, citing privacy concerns in places such as toilets, change rooms, showers and the pool. The council already restricts unauthorised recording, and the proposal would apply those rules to smart glasses and other wearable recording devices. Legitimate uses, such as accessibility support and approved sporting activities, could still be permitted with consent. Other councils, including Brisbane, Yarra and Adelaide, are also considering similar measures.
Families joined free school holiday sessions at Cook Shire Libraries in Cooktown, Lakeland and Bloomfield over two weeks. Children decorated porcelain hanging baskets and terracotta pots in the first week. The second week focused on flowers, foliage and nature-inspired collages. A highlight at Cooktown Library was a gardening-themed Community Collage, which grew as visitors of all ages added their own pieces. A colouring-in competition also drew many entries from across the community.
Mornington Peninsula Shire libraries have undergone upgrades, including new furniture, a dedicated library pod at Mornington, and a mural by local artist Daniel Van De Wiel at Hastings. The enhancements aim to create more comfortable and flexible spaces for reading, studying, or community gatherings. Children's areas have been improved to foster a love of reading, while the library pod offers a quiet space for meetings or focused work. These upgrades complement the shire's Community Art Spaces program, showcasing local artists.
South Australian councils are invited to contribute to the state’s library strategy. The Libraries Board of South Australia is developing its 2027-2032 plan, with a consultation open until 26 October 2026. The Local Government Association of South Australia will submit feedback on behalf of councils, emphasising their role in library services and community support. A State Library Summit is scheduled for 12 October.
