SJ Library Services – Our First 100 Days

Published on Tuesday, 25 October 2022 at 1:55:00 PM

We are thrilled to say that nearly 600 visitors walked through our library doors to celebrate SJ Library Service's official opening on August 26 2022. Thirty guests enjoyed the opening proceedings, including a Welcome to Country, a Smoking Ceremony, and a performance by Byford Secondary College. Over 300 new members have joined since the library opened its doors, and more than 9000 people have visited our library.

SJ Library Opening Ceremony

Events we held:

  • We kicked off the new Serpentine Jarrahdale Library Services in Byford with a series of discovery events every Saturday in August for Launch Month.
  • Children's Book Council of Australia Book Week saw SJ Library staff accompany popular authors Deb Fitzpatrick and Gabriel Evans to the author talks at Mundijong, Serpentine and Jarrahdale Primary.  
  • Our Mental Health Week events included two sessions of Mindfulness Macramé and a mental health talk for parents and teens.
  • Other library happenings include collaborative programs such as the four-week youth program – "Trash to Treasure" with the Youth Team and Sew Sustainable Saturdays sewing classes with Waste Education Officer Polly, held monthly and used repurposed fabric and the Library's new sewing resources.

Library first 100 days

Programs we delivered:

  • Our busy school holiday program included two sessions for primary school-aged children at Clem Kentish Hall in Serpentine to coincide with a visit from the mobile library van, LEGO Club at the Library, and a “Make a Calm Kit” session for teenagers in conjunction with the Youth Team. 
  •  Our Rhyme Times and Story Times at the new library are very popular, with a significant increase in attendees and many families joining as a direct result of coming to the sessions.
  •  Everyone enjoyed Story Trail at Percy’s Park in collaboration with Sport and Recreation Staff. Children and parents joined in for rhymes, stories and hunting for Teddy Bears along the trail!

Mobile Library Service:

The Mobile Library Service has been very well received by the SJ community.

  • In the first three months of operation, the service had 346 visitors, and 17 new library members signed up. New Customers come of all ages, from local home school groups and day care centres to members from the Serpentine Lifestyle Village; getting out into the community has enabled staff to promote the “Books on Wheels “.

Mobile Library van

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