Library Services
Library Lovers’ Day
In Term 1, our Campus Libraries celebrated Library Lovers’ Day over the fortnight including 14 February. Activities across the Libraries included a Love Heart Scavenger Hunt at Pamela Coyne Library, a Romance Writing Challenge at St Stephen/Gaudete, and chocolate heart rewards for borrowing (outside Reading Classes) at Sr Julian Quaine Library. In addition, the Staff and Student Reading Bingo Challenges were launched at the latter, alongside a new Library Loyalty Card.
Staff also wore a splash – or a lot! – of red, to tie in with the theme, and, in some cases, found books to match!
Dean Rankine Drawing Workshops:
Towards the end of Term 1, we were incredibly fortunate to have Australian comics artist, illustrator, and painter – recently seen on the ABC’s Portrait Artist of the Year! – Dean Rankine visit! Dean ran drawing Workshops for students (staff were also welcome!) at all three Campus Libraries. Attendees learned about Dean’s approach to his work, as well as some great hints and ideas for coming up with illustrations…even if you do not consider yourself artistic! A spin or two of his Wheel of Awesome provided randomness in characters that students could try their hand at creating. You will see some examples of the attendees’ work in the sessions with the photos below!
MEET A LIBRARY STAFF MEMBER! #5
Name: Mrs Dominique Elbarbar (Library Technician)
What is the best book you have read recently?
Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet, Eventually Everything Connects: Eight Essays on Uncertainty by Sarah Firth and My Friends by Fredrik Backman.
What is your favourite genre to read, or to recommend?
Romance and Romantasy.
If you could only recommend one book to everyone, what would it be?
The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch and Ordinary Albert by Pamela Allen.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Library?
Fostering animals and/or reading in the sun in my pyjamas with my dog Morticia, cat Frank and, occasionally, my two boys Nelly and Wowie.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be, and why?
Invisibility – so I can finish my book in peace and quiet!
MEET A LIBRARY STAFF MEMBER! #6
Name: Mrs Daniela Andrews (Librarian)
What is the best book you have read recently?
Lola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton. I really loved the creative way he blended magical realism and artwork through the storyline.
What is your favourite genre to read, or to recommend?
Social and contemporary issues. Books in this genre not only have relatable, real-world storylines to hook their readers, but they often overlap with other genres (like mystery or romance). This makes it easier to match a reader to the perfect book.
If you could only recommend one book to everyone, what would it be?
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. No other book has ever captured the way I feel about the power of human connection through words and storytelling.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Library?
Spending time at home with my family, pets and the pile of books I will never finish reading because I keep adding to it.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be, and why?
To be able to find more hours in every day...why? See my answer directly above!
Hope you have enjoyed hearing about the exciting events and activities Library staff have organised for students – and staff – to take part in so far in 2026! (Not to mention learning about more of our wonderful Library staff members!) Stay tuned for more information and news from the Library Services Faculty in future Bulletins!
Miss E Bruty
Miss E Bruty
Librarian