National Book Week 2009 is now a memory but Bega Valley celebrated it in August in good style.  The Friends of the Libraries were able to present events in several libraries and local venues. 

A number of local talented people provided interesting material and food for thought. 

AT BERMAGUI, publisher of The Phantom JIM SHEPHERD, entertained with anecdotes of his time with the comic book hero.  Puppets and story time played to a young audience.

AT EDEN, some of our new members tried something Eden had not seen before:  a craft day at Art on Imlay.  This store front, staffed by volunteers, sells crafts made by artisans in the Eden area.  On this special day, the Friends invited a number of craftspeople to come into the store to work on their crafts.  They also made available an impressive selection of craft books that can be borrowed from the library system. 

AT BEGA, Venie Holmgren displayed a number of books that have accompanied her through her life and talked about their authors. 

http://www.barryheard.com.au/

Bairnsdale author BARRY HEARD spoke at the EDEN LIBRARY on the 28th and also at the PAMBULA SLSC on the 29^th to interested audiences.

Other speakers at PAMBULA were JEAN POLLOCK, founding member of the Pambula Community Garden, and MICHAEL JANSSEN-GIBSON, who returned to the Bega Valley by special request to talk about important books for teenagers to read before they turn twenty.  Booktique and Candelo Books rounded out that literary day by having interesting new books on sale. 

Even the librarians got into the act:  Garry Bolton parked the new – but somewhat unsung – HI-TECH MOBILE LIBRARY in the MERIMBULA LIBRARY parking lot on 25 August for the day.  He had 21 visitors, most of whom he had not met before.  Many people are not aware of this new and valuable addition to the library system, as usually it parks in various less-visited parts of the shire where it provides many needed services to the far-flung borrowers.

The Friends wish to thank all the friends, neighbours and supporters who helped us stage these events.  We are grateful for your ready-and-willing help.