Read On: your monthly dose of library news 📚

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Hello library member,

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

News

Breaking news: all Melbourne newspapers on PressReader

You can now access all your favourite Melbourne and Australian digital newspapers through PressReader. Enjoy titles including The Age, Herald Sun, The Australian, and The Australian Financial Review (available with a 3-day embargo), plus a huge selection of interstate and international newspapers and magazines.

New to PressReader? No problem. We’ve created a quick start guide to help you get up and running, so you can start exploring thousands of publications in just a few clicks.

What's On: Adults

National Family History Month

Des Tobin, It's in the Genes: Australian Football Families

This Family History Month, explore Australia’s great football dynasties with author Des Tobin. From legendary surnames to multi‑generation players, discover how family, talent and tradition has shaped the game. Perfect for footy fans, history lovers, and genealogy enthusiasts alike. Free. Bookings required.

Sam Merrifield Library
Tuesday 18 August, 7pm–8pm

Bookings

Family history for beginners

Discover how to start tracing your family history with confidence. This introductory workshop covers essential tools, library databases, and beginner research tips to help you uncover your past. No experience needed. Just bring your curiosity. Free. Bookings required.

Ascot Vale Library
Monday 3 August, 3pm–4pm

Sam Merrifield Library
Tuesday 11 August, 7pm–8pm

Niddrie Library
Friday 14 August, 1pm–2pm

View series

Digitising family history

Turn your family history into digital files you can share, store, and enjoy. This hands-on session introduces the digitising equipment available in the Moonee Valley Library Makerspace and shows you how to get started on your own projects. Free. Bookings required.

Avondale Heights Library & Learning Centre
Wednesday 5 August, 10am–12pm

Bookings

Family history: beyond the basics

This workshop builds on your existing research skills, exploring advanced features of Trove, Ancestry and Find My Past and introduces you to further resources that will help you uncover even more about your family’s past. Free. Bookings required.

Sam Merrifield Library
Tuesday 25 August, 6pm–7.30pm

Ascot Vale Library
Monday 31 August, 3pm–4.30pm

View series

Children's Book Week

Each August, libraries, families, and schools across Australia celebrate Children’s Book Week, a tradition that has highlighted outstanding children’s literature for more than 75 years.This curated reading list brings together some of Moonee Valley Libraries’ favourite new junior fiction titles and award-winning picture books, inviting young readers to discover the joy and imagination of children’s literature. Find the full list on our website.

Kids Corner

Celebrate National Science Week, Children's Book Week & more.

After school science

Ignite your child’s curiosity this National Science Week with a daily dose of hands-on discovery at the library! Our free after-school workshops will turn your child’s afternoon into a scientific adventure. Ages 5–12. Free. Bookings required.

Bookings open Monday 10 August, 10am.

All sessions 4pm–4.45pm

Sam Merrifield Library
Monday 17 August

Niddrie Library
Tuesday 18 August

Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre
Wednesday 19 August

Flemington Library
Thursday 20 August

Ascot Vale Library
Friday 21 August

View series

Children's Book Week

Celebrate Children’s Book Week with us. Meet much loved authors/illustrators Chris Kennett, Anna Zobel and Zeno Sworder at special sessions across our libraries. Enjoy stories, explore illustration and discover the creative process together Ages 5–12.Free. Bookings required.

Bookings open Monday 17 August, 10am.

All sessions 4pm–5pm

Sam Merrifield Library
Monday 24 August

Niddrie Library
Tuesday 25 August

Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre
Wednesday 26 August

Flemington Library
Thursday 27 August

Ascot Vale Library
Friday 28 August

View series

Space storytime with Tanya Hill

Discover the magic of the night sky with astronomer and author Dr Tanya Hill in this special storytime to mark National Science Week.

Enjoy a reading of When the Stars Come Out followed by songs, games and a space-themed craft activity. Ages 3–5. Free. No bookings required.

Flemington Library
Friday 21 August, 10.30am–11.30am

More details

Design a bookmark competition

Calling all arty kids in Moonee Valley aged 3–12.

Design the main image for our 2027 What's On for Children bookmark - draw, paint or collage your creation.

Winners from three age categories will receive a $50 book voucher. You can vote for your favourite shortlisted entry on our website. Entries are open from 1 August to 31 August.

Pick up a template from your library branch during these dates. For full terms and conditions please see our website.

More details

Did you know we have a Somali language collection?

Moonee Valley Libraries is proud to offer our Somali-speaking community members collections of adult fiction and nonfiction books at the Flemington Library, and children’s picture books in Somali at both the Flemington and Ascot Vale Libraries. Additionally, families can access children’s stories read in Somali online through our digital library resource, Lote4Kids, all for free with your library membership.

Explore community languages

More for adults

Ambulance Victoria: Parents and caregivers of young children

Education on common childhood illnesses, when to seek care, basic first aid, and available health services. In these sessions, paramedics will teach you how to recognise and respond in an emergency, building awareness and confidence and ensuring community members know how to take appropriate action when needed.

Free. Bookings required.

Flemington Library
Friday 7 August, 10am–10.45am

Bookings

Centrelink Q&As

Confused about Centrelink services like payments, Aged Care or myGov? Book a 30-minute one-on-one session with an expert from Services Australia who can point you in the right direction. Free. Bookings required.

Avondale Heights Library & Learning Centre
Thursday 6 August, 1pm–3pm
Thursday 20 August, 1pm–3pm

Ascot Vale Library
Wednesday 12 August, 10.30am–12.30pm

Niddrie Library
Thursday 13 August, 1pm–3pm
Thursday 27 August, 1pm–3pm

Sam Merrifield Library
Thursday 11 August, 10am–12pm
Thursday 25 August, 10am–12pm

View series

All about sleep

Sleep supports repair, memory, and cognitive function, and underpins physical and mental health. Discover practical ways to improve sleep quality, understand circadian rhythms, and build habits that support wellbeing. Free. Bookings required.

Niddrie Library
Tuesday 25 August, 6.30pm–7.45pm

Bookings

Film screenings at the library

Enjoy a free film screening at the library this August. Laugh along with the witty crime caper Legal Eagles (1986), discover the inspiring true story behind Mr. Burton (2025), or settle in for the sharp French comedy A Difficult Year (2023). Bookings required.

View screenings

Looking for something new to watch? This month, we're showcasing Kanopy, our free streaming service for library members. Compatible with mobile devices, computers, and smart-TVs, Kanopy brings a thoughtfully curated collection of award-winning films, documentaries, international cinema, TV series and children’s entertainment right to your home with no advertising or commercials. Moonee Valley Library members have 24 tickets to use on Kanopy each month, and unlimited viewing for BBC productions and world cinema, all for free with your library membership.

Visit Kanopy

Wurundjeri Week 2026

In celebrating Wurundjeri Week (3-10 August), we invite you to take a closer look at the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung names given to our library’s meeting rooms, recognising the Traditional Owners of the land on which our libraries stand. These names celebrate the rich cultural heritage, language, and ongoing connection of the Wurundjeri people.

Our meeting rooms at Ascot Vale are named after native fauna, including Kurnbrook Yerree (Flower Spider) (pictured) and Tharra (White Hawk). Avondale Heights are named after native plants and include Binap (Manna Gum) and Garrong (Wattle), while at Flemington and Sam Merrifield, the names Bagungbul (Gathering), Kulin-Bulok (Communities) and Dhumanya (Conversation), reflect the usage of the library spaces.

Looking for a space to meet, create or connect? Meeting rooms are available to hire at all our libraries. As you use these spaces, take a moment to notice their Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung names and meanings. Visit our website to explore the available rooms and make a booking: libraries.mvcc.vic.gov.au/meeting-rooms

Celebrate Wurundjeri culture with Moonee Valley City Council at Queens Park

Join us this Wurundjeri Week as we celebrate the Traditional Owners of Melbourne (Naarm) with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community to connect with traditional and ongoing culture and celebrate the rich identity of First Peoples.

Registrations are not essential but encouraged if you would like event reminders and updates.

More details

News from Moonee Valley City Council

Applications now open for an Artist-in-Residence at the Woodlands Park Garage Studio

Moonee Valley City Council is offering artists the opportunity to enjoy an 8-12 residency within the recently renovated Woodlands Park Garage Studio.

Both early career and established artists to consider an application for Artists in Residency. The space would be suitable for a variety of artist mediums, including; painters, sculptures, potters, writers, illustrators, designers, composers, puppet-makers and more. The successful applicant will also receive a $3000 stipend to support their creative project.

More details

Your community story starts here

What matters to you in your area? Your ideas can help shape local projects, services and spaces.

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

Thanks for reading.

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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.

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