Read On: your monthly dose of library news 📚

Can't see this email? Click here to view exciting news and events in browser window.

Hello library member,

Welcome to the May edition of Read On, your monthly eNewsletter from Moonee Valley Libraries.

What's cooking? Tempting cookbooks

As the cooler weather approaches, enjoy a collection of beautiful, practical cookbooks to keep the kitchen feeling warm. Find something inspiring to cook, share, and come back to this month in our selection of favourite new titles below. Find the full list on our website.

Table for two: recipes for the ones you love

Feasts of good fortune : 75 recipes for a year of Chinese American celebrations, from Lunar New Year to Mid-Autumn Festival and beyond

What's On: Adults

Christian White, The Long Night

Step into a world of suspense with best-selling Melbourne author Christian White. Hear the inside story behind his gripping new thriller The Long Night and uncover how he crafts his trademark gripping plots and unforgettable characters. Free. Bookings required.

Sam Merrifield Library

Tuesday 12 May, 7pm–8pm

Bookings

Emily Stewart, Sensible Money

ABC finance reporter Emily Stewart shares insights from her latest book, Sensible Money. Discover clear, practical strategies to build confidence, take control of your finances, and create lasting security. This is your chance to move from surviving to thriving. Free. Bookings required.

Niddrie Library

Tuesday 19 May, 6pm–7pm

Bookings

Wills and bills drop-in session

Law Week 2026

Have questions about creating a will or managing your bills? Receive one-on-one legal advice from Moonee Valley Legal Service on writing or updating your will, plus help managing energy costs, accessing concessions, and finding better deals. Bring a recent bill to make the most of this practical opportunity. Free. No bookings required.

Sam Merrifield Library

Wednesday 20 May, 9.30am–1pm

More details

Children's clothing swap

Give your child’s wardrobe a sustainable makeover at our fun clothing swap. Bring up to 10 clean, good-quality items for ages 0–8, and trade them for something fresh and fun. Free. Bookings required.

Clothing only. No toys or adult clothing.

In partnership with Moonee Valley City Council’s Circular Economy & Waste Team and The Clothing Exchange.

Sam Merrifield Library

Wednesday 6 May, 10am–12pm

Bookings

Gardening for small spaces

Chloe Thomson, Editor of ABC Organic Gardener magazine, will deliver an inspiring session on creating lush greenery in compact areas. Learn how to maximise light, select the perfect plants, choose pots and mixes that work, and design layouts that flourish. Plus, get expert tips on watering, feeding, and keeping your potted plants healthy year-round. Free. Bookings required.

Sam Merrifield Library

Tuesday 26 May, 6.30pm–8pm

Bookings

Home energy efficiency

Want to cut down your energy bills without the stress? Join the friendly experts from Uniting for an easy, practical session. They’ll show you how to read your bill, share simple tips to save energy at home, and help you find rebates and concessions you might be missing out on. Free. Bookings required.

Niddrie Library

Friday 22 May, 1.30pm–2.30pm

Bookings

Plan your trip online

Plan your next adventure online with confidence. Learn the basics of booking travel, and discover smart tips for using technology safely while away. Reserve your spot today and make your holiday planning simple and secure. Free. Bookings required.

Avondale Heights Library & Learning Centre

Friday 15 May, 9.30am–11.30am

Bookings

Film screenings at the library

Join us for free film screenings at our libraries, featuring the heartfelt Ama Gloria, the tender Housekeeping for Beginners (presented for the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia), and the classic To Kill a Mockingbird. Free. Bookings required.

Screenings

Did you know we have an Arabic language collection?

Moonee Valley Libraries offers our Arabic speaking community members a collection of children's picture books held at the Flemington Library. Additionally, films in Arabic are held throughout our DVD collection and on the digital streaming service Kanopy. Magazines and newspapers in Arabic are also available online through Pressreader, while children's stories read aloud can be found on the LOTE4Kids app, all of which are available with your library membership.

Explore Community Languages

Kids Corner

National Simultaneous Storytime, Luna Roo

National Simultaneous Storytime in the park: Luna Roo, The Kangaroo Baller

Join thousands of children in libraries, schools, kindergartens and childcare centres around Australia as we all read the same book at the very same time.

This year’s National Simultaneous Storytime book is Luna Roo: The Kangaroo Baller, written by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, and illustrated by Jake Minton. It follows the spirited kangaroo Luna and her friends as they chase their football dreams across the outback, blending action, teamwork and fun to inspire young readers. Ages 3–5. Free. Bookings required.

Woodlands Park

141 Woodland Street
(Enter Via Winifred Street
Essendon Victoria)

Wednesday 27 May, 12pm–1pm

Bookings

Animal portraits

Got a pet or favourite animal? Kids can turn them into art. Bring a photo and let your child create a colourful canvas portrait that captures their creature’s unique character.

Ages 5–12. Free. Bookings required.

Flemington Library
Tuesday 5 May, 4pm–4.45pm

Bookings

Bring Storytime home. With your Moonee Valley Libraries membership, you can access the StoryBox Hub app and watch stories read aloud by Australian authors and storytellers. Simply log in with your library card and watch some engaging and entertaining stories to inspire little imaginations.

Visit StoryBox Hub

News from Moonee Valley City Council

Help us shape youth programs and events in Moonee Valley!

The Valley Youth team are currently running a youth survey to better understand young people's interests, concerns and needs in Moonee Valley. We want to make sure our events, programs and services are relevant, engaging and accessible.

The survey is open to young people aged 12-25 who live, study, work, or spend time in Moonee Valley. The online survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete! Valley Youth staff are also running pop-up events at our library branches. You can find out more and access the online survey here.

Draft Budget 2026/27 – Have Your Say

Our Draft Budget 2026/27 is now open for community feedback and submissions.

The draft includes works across roads, drainage, buildings, early years facilities, open space and sustainability.

Your feedback will help guide how we deliver the services, programs and infrastructure our community relies on.

Leave your feedback by 11.59pm on Wednesday 27 May by visiting yoursay.mvcc.vic.gov.au/budget

Valley Sounds music festival EOIs

The Valley Sounds music festival will light up local venues from Thursday 25 June to Sunday 5 July – and this year, it’s bigger and better.

This year we’re putting the power in your hands, with venues and artists invited to apply for funding to present your own music gig. Head to our website to check out the eligibility criteria, funding categories, and to find out more about the festival.

Please note, applications will be assessed as soon as they are submitted so get in quick to avoid disappointment! EOIs close Sunday 10 May. For more details visit Valley Sounds - Moonee Valley City Council

To view a full list of upcoming library events and programs, visit our events page.

Thanks for reading.

If you no longer wish to receive eNews from Moonee Valley Libraries, you can unsubscribe using the link below.

Connect with us

Moonee Valley City Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which Moonee Valley is located – the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People of the Kulin Nation; and we pay respect to their Spirits, Ancestors, Elders and their Community members past and present. Council also extends this respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who call Moonee Valley home.

Click here to unsubscribe

Moonee Valley Libraries
483 Keilor Road Niddrie Victoria Australia 3042
Phone: +61 3 9243 1900