Life is Learning

The Life is Learning theme promotes libraries as places for education, self-help and lifelong learning.  Libraries offer diverse experiences and opportunities to all clients.

The @ your library campaign kicked off in Queensland with the Online Literature Fesitval which took place 29 August to 9 September with Australian children’s authors participating in informal chats, book launches, writing workshops and interviews. To find out more: www.learningplace.com.au/sc/ipswich/olf [new window]

Visit our Toolkit to download posters, logos, a campaign shell where you can add your own text, and other documents to help in your campaign.

Ideas

Re-brand current activities
Many of the activities your library is already doing may be easily re-branded as part of the @ your library campaign.  Review your current programming and incorporate existing activities by adding the @ your library logo or by linking into relevant themes on the calendar.

Link to calendar events
Visit the calendar to see what is happening statewide or nationally this month and plan a themed event or display.

Families reading together @ your library
Sponsor a family reading night. Create a place in the library dedicated to displaying tools for parents to encourage family reading and provide training to parents on encouraging reading in the home and reading aloud to young children.

Meet your neighbours @ your library
Host an Open House and tour of your library. Let guests know the resources available and brainstorm ways you can collaborate with them to foster community engagement.

Literacy is a way of life @ your library
Offer adult literacy and/or family literacy classes as a way to remind people that the library is a lifetime resource. Provide tutoring sessions and information about local literacy organisations.

Find the answer @ your library
Host a scavenger hunt where teams have to find information by using all the resources of their library.

Internet access @ your library
Promote Internet access and Internet classes, online catalogues, databases and other resources that can help clients get connected.

Find your fortune @ your library
Host an investment seminar with a local business person and showcase books, videos, magazines, CDs and Web sites that help people learn about investment strategies.

Homework help @ your library
Offer special homework-help sessions to students and provide information on applying to university.

Globe-trotting @ your library
Bring in local travel experts to host a travel planning workshop and feature websites and other reference materials on how to find the best bargains, learn about foreign currency and plan a family holiday.

Get connected @ your library
Offer a computer and/or Internet "teach-in" for people of all ages, including how to log on, how to conduct a search, use online databases and navigate the Internet safely.

Alternative formats @ your library
Showcase the variety of resources your library provides in alternative formats such as large print books, Braille, ESL classes, bilingual programming and materials for the hearing impaired.

Get mobile @ your library
If your library has a bookmobile or Cybermobile, highlight the unique services and resources it offers and, how through this vehicle, your library is making information and materials available to those who might not otherwise have access to the library.

Freedom to read, hear, view, think @ your library
Create a display of banned books, banned recordings or films, and authors whose works have been banned over the course of the last century.

Seniors morning tea @ your library
Consider a “Seniors’ Morning Tea” and arrange for some of your housebound clients to be transported in to join you. Have a display featuring all the great resources available.

Unlock your past @ your library
• Hold workshops to research your community’s local history, including Indigenous local history.  Include photographs and oral histories.
• Host genealogy workshops in partnership with your local historical society.

Learn to build a website @ your library
Encourage individuals and community organisations to create their own websites which can be hosted free of charge through the State Library of Queensland’s Connecting Queensland at www.connectqld.org.au [new window] or email connectqld@slq.qld.gov.au

Your future @ your library
Invite a speaker from TAFE or university or ALIA to talk about the library profession to high school students.

Be a librarian for a day @ your library
Have a “be a librarian” for a day where young people can shadow library staff – emphasise the wide range of skills – IT, customer service, display and promotional work, etc.

Bushfoods @ your library
Create a full display of bushfoods

Parents as first teachers @ your library
Run a series of workshops with a range of experts (early learning educators, child safety people) to show parents and carers information and practical strategies to encourage and enhance learning in the home.