General News
13 September, 2024
From cricket pitch to library stacks
Council has announced Yarriambiack Libraries will be one of the small-town library services who will receive funding through a grant program administered by The LBW Trust (Learning for a Better World), and Friends of Libraries Australia (FOLA).
The Australian Country Libraries 2024 Program has distributed $101,429 to 79 libraries across the country - 25 in New South Wales, 20 in Western Australia, 17 in South Australia, nine in Victoria, and eight in Queensland - to support a diverse range of projects.
The Yarriambiack Shire Council Engagement Van’s Words on Wheels program has used the funds to purchase an electronic tablet device, screen protector and carry bag, which will be used to assist with digital literacy training throughout the shire.
The tablet can be used by Engagement Van users to access the internet to complete documents online, submit Snap, Send, Solve issues, and to set up their library BorrowBox account with assistance from library staff.
FOLA president Jack Goodman emphasised the importance of country libraries in regional, rural and remote towns.
“They are at the heart of the community, providing havens where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to share ideas, learn new skills and connect with each other,” Mr Goodman said.
“These grants are another example of the exceptional projects being run by Australia’s under-funded and under-valued country public libraries.”
Other projects across the country which will benefit from the Australian Country Libraries 2024 Program funding include running back to nature programs, storytelling through puppetry, providing resources and activities for neurodivergent young people, textile waste awareness workshops, digital literacy programs for seniors, and a community seed library for the bushfire-affected Snowy Monaro area.
The LBW Trust director, and National Backyard Cricket chair, Marek Ristwej said they are “looking forward to seeing the projects come to life, and the difference they will make in their community.”
“Cricket holds a special place in Australia,” Mr Ristwej said.
“It is wonderful to be able to combine our love of cricket with supporting country libraries.
“Funding has been made possible by the generous donations of individuals who participated in our National Backyard Cricket events, plus great support from The LBW Trust supporters.”
The LBW Trust believes that everyone deserves an education, and every student deserves an opportunity to realise their potential and to create their future.
The organisation hosts cricket-related fundraising campaigns and events, drawing on community generosity to provide opportunities in education for young people in developing countries.
The new tablet is now available in the library van as it visits towns on a fortnightly schedule:
Week 1
Tuesday: Rupanyup, 10am - 3pm
Wednesday: Patchewollock, 9.30am - 1pm
Thursday: Hopetoun, 10am - 3pm
Week 2
Tuesday: Minyip, 10am - 3pm
Wednesday: Woomelang, 10am - 3pm
Thursday: Murtoa, 10am - 3pm
Friday: Beulah, 10am - 3pm