Ten Things to love about the Library

Dos and Marion at Cake Club, Gracemere.

1. A Home Delivery service is provided for library patrons who are unable to visit the library due to illness or disability. Patrons have a curated selection of library resources delivered to their home every month in the Rockhampton and Gracemere areas. Patrons do need to have a Libraries Home Delivery Service Referral Form completed by a medical practitioner to access this free service.

2. The Rockhampton History Centre, located in the Rockhampton Regional (Southside) Library, is open 9:am-5:30pm Monday to Friday, and houses a range of historical books, maps, photographs, archives and databases for historians, students and researchers, as well as in-library access to the Ancestry.com and Find My Past genealogical databases. The dedicated staff can provide help accessing resources in this significant regional collection.

3. Second-Hand booksale tables are located at the North Rockhampton (Northside) and Rockhampton Regional (Southside) libraries. Fill a bag with pre-loved library stock for $5.00 or pick up individual items for just 50c each.

4. Library programs take place across all our library branches. Take your pick from regular activities such as Knitting and Crochet (Southside), Cake Club (Gracemere and Southside), Origami (Gracemere), Crafters’ Circle (Mount Morgan) or Trivia (Northside). Keep an eye out too for our special ad-hoc events such as Coffee with a Cop, author talks and Financial Information Seminars, presented in partnership with Services Australia. There are regular programs for children and young adults as well, including Read’n’Rhyme storytelling sessions, craft, STEAM, anime/manga drawing and LEGO clubs. Bring yourself or your kids and grandkids along to a session!

5. Computers are available at all our library branches. Gain confidence by practising how to access the internet (email, social media or YouTube) or use word processing to upgrade your resume or apply for jobs. We also provide printing, photocopying and scanning services, as well as free wi-fi if you have your own device. There are many other interesting online databases and resources that you can access for free using your library card and PIN, either in-library or from home 24/7.

6. Large Print resources are great if the print in other books is just a bit too tiny to read comfortably. Large print books are available in many genres at all our libraries. Our audio books on MP3 and online eAudio are also great resources for ‘reading’ books in alternative formats.

7. A Sound Studio is located on the mezzanine level of the Rockhampton Regional (Southside) Library. This small sound-proof studio is designed to assist hirers in editing and recording audio and video projects. The space is ideal for recording and editing voiceovers for videos, audition tapes, podcasts and musical instruments. The small studio is sound-proofed and contains a mixing desk, monitor, midi keyboard, microphones, leads and stands, with access to music software such as GarageBand and Audacity.

8. Two Self Check Out machines are available at the Rockhampton Regional (Southside) Library. The units allow you to select from a number of languages before you borrow books, magazines or CDs. DVDs are borrowed at the Customer Service desk.

9. A DIY Memory Lab is located at the Gracemere Library and contains archival grade equipment for digitising personal or community collections. Digitising equipment can convert multiple formats such as documents, photographs, slides, negatives, Super 8 film, CD and audio, VHS and vinyl records. The room can be accessed from Monday-Thursday (9am-5:30pm) and Saturday (9am-noon).

10. New resources are constantly being added to the collection, with over 1000 items added every month, across print, audio and digital formats. A collection of jigsaw puzzles for loan have recently been added, while new digital resources include Mango Languages, Gale Interactive Science, Kinderling Kids Radio and ParentTV.

Contact the Rockhampton Regional Libraries for more information about any of these resources, services or membership. Library membership is free.

Phone: 07 49368 043, enquiries: libraries@rrc.qld.gov.au. Locations: Rockhampton Regional (Southside) Library 230 Bolsover Street, Rockhampton:

North Rockhampton Library 154 Berserker Street, North Rockhampton; Gracemere Library 1 Ranger Street, Gracemere; Mount Morgan Library 31 Morgan Street, Mount Morgan.