The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Barossa Library will be held at the Nuriootpa Council Chambers on Thursday 15th August.  This year we have changed the time for the meeting to 5.30 pm, recognising that the nights are cold and most people can get there more conveniently at the earlier time.

President Jill Stevens will present her Annual Report, and Treasurer Paddy Carter will present her report on the finances for the year.  Then the election of office-bearers will be held: all positions are open for nomination, including President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Committee Members.  THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME  INVOLVED!  The Friends Committee is devoted to assisting the work of the Barossa Library, not only financially, but also in improving the literacy and love of literature essential to our Barossa community.  We are looking for new ideas, different approaches, other viewpoints, and we would love to get your contribution.

After the elections, Guest Speaker, Andrew Price of the State Library, will talk to us about “South Australians in World War 1: their story”, which will no doubt be of great interest to many of the Friends.  The evening will end socially with a cup of soup and a convivial beverage.

WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

President Jill Stevens and Bill Biscoe attended the recent forum of the Friends of the Libraries Association at Partridge House, Glenelg, hosted by the Holdfast Bay Friends.  A most interesting day which reinforced how much work the Friends do to support their libraries.  The forum was addressed by long-time President and library advocate Dr. Alan Bundy, AM, who is always inspirational in his enthusiasm for the importance of libraries in the cultural life of Australia. 

The feature address of the day was a talk by the past Mount Gambier Library Manager who used a slide show to illustrate the development of the library there, in  a new, stunning $6m. building.  Most libraries are community centres; Mount Gambier has built a library which is state of the art designed to fulfil almost any community need.  The architect also showed how the design enables users of all levels to quickly access their desired area.  A great example of what can be done by a clear vision for the future.  (I might add that all of the delegates from other libraries were green with envy at just how Mount Gambier has ticked every box in our wishlists!  Alan Bundy, who has looked at libraries all over the world, said that he considered it possible the best designed library in the world).

By the way, one of the photos that popped up during the slide show was of the new head librarian at Mount Gambier, Vicki Hutchinson, who moved there from the Barossa a couple of years ago.  She must have known the new library was going to be built!

If you would like to look at what is happening with the Friends Association go to their website: http://www.fola.org.au/