Don’t miss this family-friendly event at the State Library of WA on 4 April 2013 — the launch of Light Horse Boy by Dianne Wolfer. It’s a companion book to Lighthouse Girl and it’s a brilliant book for older readers. (We’ll be posting a review of Light Horse Boy here soon — but you can check out some sample pages on the publisher’s website in the meantime.)
As part of the National Year of Reading , the State Library of WA has set up the Love2Read Café, an outdoor reading room based on the Bryant Park model in New York. The café is out the front of the State Library under a canopy and is open until Sunday 26 February 2012.
In the Love2Read Café, you’ll find brightly-coloured chairs and tables, five book trolleys featuring a range of reading materials for all ages and interests, plus programs and events suitable for all audiences. The events are free and no booking is required! You can also share a quote from your favourite book on the Reading Wall inside the library.
On Saturdays you can borrow a variety of word games.
Café Opening hours
Monday – Thursday: 10:00am – 7:30pm
Friday: 10:00am – 5.00pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10:30am – 5.00pm
For more information, visit the State Library of WA website.
In case the flyer is difficult to read, here are the details.
If you are passionate about writing, you live in Perth, and you are between the ages of 9 and 12 – the State Library of WA has the writing workshop for you!
The hands-on workshop will be led by Duncan Ball (author of the Selby and Emily Eyefinger series), and Chris Morphew (one of the authors of the Zac Power series). And you can get tips and hints about book design from graphic designer and illustrator, Tracey Gibbs.
Date: Saturday 20 March 2010
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Where: ‘The Place’, State Library of WA
Ages: 9 – 12
Bring: Lunch and a water bottle. (Morning tea, afternoon tea and writing materials are supplied)
Cost: $55 – payment taken by State Library shop, in person or by phone.
Bookings essential as places are limited.
For more information or an enrolment form, go to the LISWA website: http://www.liswa.wa.gov.au/whats_on/the_place
or contact Joanna on 9427 3173.
On Sunday 24 May, we went to the launch of the new children’s library at the State Library of WA. The new library is called ‘The Place’, and on Sunday it really was the place to be! 
On our way in, we passed a butterfly stiltwalker. The three year old with us was mesmerised. (Later, the stiltwalker was her pick for ‘best part of the visit.’)
First we visited the music library – as part of the launch celebrations there were energetic music sessions run by Danielle Joynt (of Cantaris and Cottage Music fame). There were posters up to say we could find children’s music at the library, and borrow it too. So we walked along the shelves looking for books of folksongs (we’re rather partial to folksongs) – to the rhythm of Danielle’s maraccas, which were being shaken by an enthusiastic group of kids.
On another floor we came across a glass display case with the smallest book and the oldest book in the library. The smallest book was very very small. Someone nearby asked ‘how would you READ it? It’s so small you’d need a magnifying glass!’ One book on display had been munched by termites. The munching was actually done in a rather artistic way, but we all felt very sorry for that book (and its owner!).
We arrived at the mezzanine level (the children’s library itself), and found ourselves in the middle of a story-reading session. It was Harry by the Sea by Gene Zion, an old favourite of mine. All around us there were kids playing games and doing puzzles on the computers, reading books inside ‘book cubbies’, playing with large puppets, checking out the totem book sculpture, and reading the displays of certificates showing the favourite childhood books of some well-known Australians. (Enid Blyton was very popular. We were pleased to see the Bunyip of Berkeley’s Creek by Jenny Wagner got a mention too!) We looked up Paul Jennings and the Prime Minister’s favourite books among many others! 
We also loved the exhibition of children’s picture book artwork, and a display with the puppet from Cat Balloon, on loan from Spare Parts Puppet Theatre.
There were balloons for everyone on the way out – and as we were leaving we ducked into the State Library shop to look at the pre-read library books which were so cheap. We love second-hand books!
‘The Place‘ is definitely worth visiting! There are heaps of books, and lots of space to find a comfy spot to read. And you can see the ‘favourite childhood books’ display until 19 July – so we won’t tell you what the Prime Minister’s favourite is, in case you want to find out for yourself! It’s very easy to get to by train, as the State Library is only a short walk from the train station. Check it out!
KIDS DAY OUT AT ‘THE PLACE’!
Just another quick plug for the new children’s library (aka The Place) at the State Library of WA. The Place will be launched on Sunday 24 May (from 10am until 3pm). Events are FREE! Here are some details:
CELEBRITY STORYTIMES at 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm in the Family Reading Centre
SNEAK PEEK TOUR OF THE LIBRARY (Surprises on every floor – the Library’s smelliest book, Treasures from the past, and more!)
MUSIC SESSIONS ON THE SECOND FLOOR at 11 am, 12 noon, 1 pm and 2 pm
DIGITAL STORIES online all day!
TOTEM BOOK SCULPTURE (How many have you read?)
BUTTERFLY STILT WALKER ALL DAY!
ORIGINAL PICTURE BOOK ART
BALLOONS to take home!
Then from 24 May – 19 July 2009: MY FAVOURITE CHILDREN’S BOOK Do you know what Rove’s favourite book is? What about the Prime Minister’s? Take a booklist home!
Refer to the LISWA Website for further updates: http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/whats_on/the_place
See you there!
FREE EVENT! The State Library of Western Australia is launching its new children’s library, known as ‘The Place.’
Come along to the Kids Day Out at The Place, State Library of WA on Sunday 24 May 2009, 10am to 3pm. Celebrity readers, original picture book art, family reading centre, famous people’s favourite books and a sneak peak tour of the library.
You’ll find the State Library of WA at 25 Francis St, Cultural Centre, Perth City. (3 minutes walk from the train station.)
For further details, refer to the State Library of WA website.
Have you heard that the State Library of WA has been building a children’s library on their mezzanine level? It’s true! And over the school holidays, children can help create a book sculpture for this new area with artist-in-residence, Graham Hay. For more information, go to www.slwa.wa.gov.au/schoolhols.html where they also advertise other family activities over the summer break.
alphabetsoup.net.au 