Budding Readers Carnival - Bringing libraries to life for Ipswich residents

4 July 2012

IPSWICH Council will be throwing open the doors to the Ipswich Library this weekend for local budding readers as part of the National Year of Reading.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said that the Budding Readers Carnival would be a great opportunity for the community to see everything their library offers.

"The Budding Readers Carnival will be held from 10am to 12pm this Saturday (July 7) and is going to be a great morning for the whole family," Cr Pisasale said.

"There will be heaps of free activities for the kids, from face painting, competitions to circus workshops and a sausage sizzle.

"Ipswich's local libraries are a fantastic resource for the community and are home to a lot more than books.

"The collection contains a wide range of DVDs, CDs, audio books, a growing downloadable book collection and an impressive array of online information resources.

"The collection totals 270,000 items spread across three branch libraries and our mobile library and this is supplemented by a growing e-collection and wide range of online databases.

"The library service also offers a range of activities and events for all ages.

"Borrowing services, school holiday programs for children, training for the community on how to search the internet, research services as well as author visits are all there," Cr Pisasale said.

Ipswich City Council Tourism and Libraries Committee Chairperson Councillor David Pahlke said the Budding Readers Carnival was part of the library's membership drive running until August 31.

"We're saying to locals who have never been a library member to come and take a look even if they haven't been into a library since they left school or university," Cr Pahlke said.

"Our libraries are home to so much more than books now and it's a great time to come and see what's on offer.

"Ipswich libraries are used daily by more than 1500 people and we'd love to see even more Ipswich residents take advantage of this wonderful free service.

"This carnival will also be a great opportunity to pick up a commemorative National Year of Reading membership card.

"Ipswich City Council has created the card to commemorate this special year.

"Library membership is free to residents and opens the doors to a vast array of reading experiences and other services.

"The Ipswich Library and Information Service have set a goal of 1.5 million books checked out or downloaded for this year's NYOR to encourage Ipswich residents to become a City of Readers," Cr Pahlke said.

For more information about Budding Readers Carnival or the National Year of Reading visit the Ipswich Library and Information Service website at http://www.library.ipswich.qld.gov.au/ or contact National Year of Reading Project Officer Larnie Moller on 3810 6595. 

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