Ruth Bumpstead – Maryborough

The Mini Free Library at the Maryborough Community House was officially launched during Families Week on the 20th May 2014 at the Maryborough Community House. The launch had an Alice in Wonderland theme, with a storyteller, activities for children and, of course, a mad-hatters tea party for afternoon tea! The 2014 theme for Families Week is ‘Stronger Families, Stronger Communities’ and aims to highlight the important role families play as the central building block of our communities. This is the perfect theme for launching a great community asset such as the Mini Free Library, as books and literacy also play an important role in enhancing family and community life. Maryborough Mini Free Library takes an unique and creative form as it was designed by some children who attend the Community House. Their design was then brought to life with the skillful and talented assistance of Art Central and members of the community. The Mini Free Library will be installed outside the Community House, so that everybody who wants to use it can! Inside the library there will be books for little ones and books for grown-ups, as well as magazines. People are asked to return the books after they have borrowed them, so that everyone gets the chance to choose something they like. The very first books to fill the shelves will be chosen by local families in the area. Children’s Literacy Facilitator, Lisa DaOnofrio said evidence shows that easy physical access to appropriate reading materials has a positive impact on children’s verbal abilities. The Mini Library is part of the Literacy Strategy which involves placing book boxes throughout the Shire. The book boxes were made by the Men’s Shed, and decorated by members of the supported playgroups, as well as other community groups, in conjunction with Art Central.