Author talks and workshops tour of regional Victoria

The State Library of Victoria in partnership with Public Libraries Victoria Network is touring four of Australia’s most popular and engaging authors in northwest regional Victoria as part of High Road to Reading, a statewide author talks and workshops program.

Sue Roberts, CEO and State Librarian, is proud of how the program has developed in collaboration with Public Libraries Victoria Network.

‘This is a huge program visiting 53 venues throughoutVictoriaand featuring 33 great Australian authors. Our strong partnership with Public Libraries Victoria Network enables this broad-based community program to reach as many Victorians as possible.’

‘This year we celebrate 100 years since the domed reading room opened and reflect on the State Library’s role in the community over the past century. We continue to celebrate the importance of our Library as a cultural and knowledge centre ofVictoria, something which remains as relevant today as it was when the domed reading room first opened in 1913.’

‘To service Victorian communities 100 years ago the Library shipped books in wooden crates to readers around the state. Technology now enables us to bring more of our collection and services to more people than ever before, while initiatives like High Road to Reading are extending the rich program of events held in Melbourne to every corner of the State.’

‘I will be travelling aroundVictoriathroughout our Dome Centenary year to hear from communities about how we can continue to deliver programs and services that generate new knowledge and ideas for Victorians. Getting that right is very important.’

Touring authors include bestselling and internationally acclaimed Looking for Alibrandi author Melina Marchetta; one of Australia’s top self-published authors and co-creator of the phenomenally successful 4 ingredients series, Rachel Bermingham; and true crime writer and journalist Liz Porter.

Complementing High Road to Reading, a special program for primary and secondary children will run a series of workshops and author visits in Cohuna, Dimboola, Kerang and Nhill.

To see the full listing of author events in May and June 2013 or for more information about High Road to Reading visit: slv.vic.gov.au/high-road-to-reading.

May and June events in North West Victoria

Mildura Library
Mildura Rural City Council Library Service
Wed 15 May 2013
Melina Marchetta
7.30–8.30 pm

St Arnaud Library
Wimmera Regional Library Corporation
Thurs 16 May 2013
Catherine Deveny
2–3 pm

Horsham Library
Wimmera Regional Library Corporation
Thurs 16 May 2013
Catherine Deveny
7.30–8.30 pm

Stawell Library
Wimmera Regional Library Corporation
Fri 17 May 2013
Catherine Deveny
10.30–11.30 am

Sir John Gorton Library (Kerang)
Gannawarra Library Service
Tues 18 June 2013
Rachel Bermingham
6–7pm

Cohuna Council Community Meeting Room
Gannawarra Library Service
Wed 19 June 2013
Rachel Bermingham
10.30–11.30 am

Mildura Library
Mildura Rural City Council Library Service
Wed 19 June 2013
Liz Porter
7.30–8.30 pm

Merbein Library
Mildura Rural City Council Library Service
Thurs 20 June 2013
Liz Porter
10.30–11.30 am

Merbein Library
Mildura Rural City Council Library Service
Thurs 20 June 2013
Liz Porter
1–3 pm

About the program
The three year program is delivered by the State Library of Victoria in partnership with Public Libraries Victoria Network and supported by a grant from Copyright Agency Limited. Author tours take place in April, May and June each year and all Victorian public library services have the opportunity to participate. In 2013, 18 library services acrossVictoriawill take part in the program.

About the Library’s dome
Originally commissioned for the Library’s 50th anniversary, and envisaged as a crowning glory to the city’s intellectual and artistic centre, the dome symbolised the making of a new world – socially, politically and creatively.

Over the past century, it has inspired generations of writers, artists, researchers, students and visitors. More than a remarkable architectural accomplishment, it represents all that the Library has to offer the world: a vast collection, expert staff, a place to connect with the community, and a source of ideas, learning and pleasure.

END