Bayside Libraries

Warm Winter Read starts today

With great prizes to be won and fun ways to participate, winter is the perfect season to curl up with a good book.

You can register and participate online or sign up in person at your favourite Bayside Library.

To enter the statewide prize draws, you can:

• log your reading
• write and submit book reviews
• or do both!

To sign up, visit https://brnw.ch/21x2YYT. ⭐

The more you participate, the more prize draws you enter. Sounds good? 😉

The Warm Winter Read runs from 1 June to 31 August 2026 and is a statewide reading campaign coordinated by Public Libraries Victoria, proudly supported by Libby, uLibrary and Wilkinson Publishing.



[Image description: Warm Winter Read campaign artwork with a coffee cup on top of a pile of books.]

Dreary weather provides the perfect excuse to spend time indoors with family and friends playing board games. 🎲

We have just added three new games to our collection — Blokus, Flamecraft and Machi Koro. 😍

These newbies join a collection of 19 favourites including Battleship, Cluedo, Scrabble, chess and even Monopoly Harry Potter edition. 🎲

Take a look at the selection via https://brnw.ch/21x2XZv ⭐



[Image description: three images titled ‘Game Time’ with artwork of new board games called Machi Karo; Flamecraft; and Blokus.]

The Miles Franklin Literary Award has unveiled this year’s longlist, featuring 10 novels that collectively offer a portrayal of Australian life in all its diversity.

Bringing together stories shaped by varied cultural backgrounds, voices and experiences, this selection celebrates the richness and complexity of Australian storytelling today.

The longlist includes:

🔖Randa Abel-Fattah, "Discipline"
🔖Dominic Amerena, "I Want Everything"
🔖Lyn Dickens, "Salt Upon the Water"
🔖Toni Jordan, "Tenderfoot"
🔖Steve MinO, "First Name Second Name'
🔖Konrad Muller, "My Heart at Evening"
🔖Omar Musa, "Fierceland"
🔖Josephine Rowe, "Little World"
🔖Madeleine Watts, "Elegy, Southwest"
🔖Sean Wilson, "You Must Remember This"

For further details, visit https://brnw.ch/21x2WZ8. ⭐



[Image description: a dark green background with the covers of five Australian fiction titles.]

Our library branches were a hive of activity with approximately 250 kinder and primary school friends joining us for National Simultaneous Storytime this week. 🦘

Bayside students joined an estimated one million children around Australia who simultaneously read "Luna Roo, the kangaroo baller" by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd and illustrated by Jake A. Minton. ⚽

It was beautiful witnessing the various age groups socialising together, reading stories, making craft and conversing in our beautiful library spaces. 🦘

Thank you to our Children and Youth Librarians — including Amy and Lisa pictured here in their soccer jerseys. ⚽

If your kindy or school group would like to arrange a visit, please reach out to your local library. We would love to welcome you. 😍

If you would like to read "Luna Roo, the kangaroo baller" by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd at home, reserve a copy via https://brnw.ch/21x2UTc. ⭐




[Image description: three images from a Storytime event at Sandringham library including a photo of librarians Amy and Lisa.]

It was an absolute delight to welcome authors Darcy Green and Emma Mugglestone to Sandringham Library this week.

Guests were treated to a wonderful and open discussion, particularly about Darcy’s approach to the creative writing process of their debut title novel, "After the Siren".

The author talk was a special International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) event.

In line with the Bayside Community Vision 2050 and Health and Inclusion Plan 2025-29, the talk aimed to promote inclusivity and a Bayside where all residents are welcome and feel safe.

To reserve your copy of Darcy Green's "After the Siren", visit https://brnw.ch/21x2SRt ⭐



[Image description: two photographs from an author talk at Sandringham Library with authors Darcy Green and Emma Mugglestone and a room full of seated guests.]

The Premiers’ Reading Challenge is underway.

The annual challenge is a great way to gain confidence reading, encouraging children from pre-school to year 10 to read a set number of books and record their reading online.

The Premier's Reading Challenge runs from March until September each year.

To help you find great books to read, our Librarians have compiled fantastic reading lists by age group.

Explore the recommendations via https://brnw.ch/21x2QDt

Happy reading!



[Image description: the covers of six children’s fiction titles.]

Get your daily news fix on BorrowBox 🗞️

Bayside Libraries is thrilled to announce that members can now access their online daily news from BorrowBox.

This includes daily Australian news, like The Age and The Australian, as well as almost 300 international newspapers.

Members can access the news via the Bayside Libraries website or app; or the BorrowBox app — easy!



[Image description: a series of devices with BorrowBox ePress screens on a green background.]

⭐Starting 1 June⭐

Get ready to cosy up with a good book this winter because the Warm Winter Read is just around the corner.

It's time to prepare for a season of literary adventures.

Create your profile on https://brnw.ch/21x2MSs or pick up a paper-based form from your Bayside Libraries and get ready to start logging your reading days from Monday 1 June.

With challenges to take on, themes to explore, and special events happening throughout the winter, there's something for everyone to keep the reading momentum rolling.

Let's make this winter a season of literary magic!




[Image description: photograph of a person listening to an audiobook on public transport.]

Are you joining us this Wednesday for National Simultaneous Storytime? 🦘

Join us for an extra special Storytime on 27 May at 12pm. 🦘

Millions of children, parents, teachers, and library lovers across Australia and beyond will come together to read Luna Roo at the same time — celebrating the joy of reading, storytelling and connection.
🦘

When: Wednesday 27 May, 12pm
Where: Beaumaris, Brighton and Sandringham
Who: All
Cost: Free

For details, visit https://brnw.ch/21x2LL3 ⭐



[Image description: campaign artwork with Luna Roo book character.]

Amanda Hampson's - "The Model Murder" in conversation with Kerryn Mayne

Join us at Beaumaris Library to hear about Amanda's latest book.

Amanda Hampson is back with "The Model Murder" - the fourth instalment in her beautifully nostalgic cosy crime Tea Ladies series that shines a spotlight on older women.

It’s 1967, and we’re reunited with our favourite tea lady detectives Hazel, Betty, and Irene.

Filled with murder, mystery, nostalgia, and history – not to mention plenty of tea and biscuits - "The Model Murder" offers a cracking mystery wrapped up in the charm and wit that only Hampson can deliver.

When: Monday 25 May, 6.30pm
Where: Beaumaris Library
Who: Adult
Cost: Free

Book via https://brnw.ch/21x2Kuq. ⭐



[Image description: headshots of Amanda Hampson and Kerryn Mayne with the cover of "The Model Murder".]