Public libraries are community hubs, not only in the physical buildings, but online as well; providing a place for people to meet and engage with each other as well as with books, information, programs and events.

As more and more people want to access books and information from home, or on the go, library collections are changing.

You will still find plenty of books, magazines and DVDs on the shelves, but you can also access those items electronically, from your home computer, tablet or smart phone. eBooks, eAudio books, magazines, music and films are available through the eLibrary.

Library users can watch documentaries or independent feature films on their smart televisions or tablets through Beamafilm, download music and magazines to keep through Freegal and Zinio, and download eBooks and eAudio books through Bolinda and Wheelers. Carter’s Price Guide to Antiques is available online, as is Good Reading magazine and National Geographic.

Not only have collections adapted, but the way libraries communicate is changing, too.

A conversation in the library is a lovely thing, and library staff are keen to chat with library users when they are looking for books or attending a program, but we are able to engage with a broader range of the community through social media.

The Wagga City Library has multiple Facebook pages, a YouTube Channel – waggawiz – and a Pinterest board that allows us to connect to our communities and provide event and program information, updates on additions to our collections, provide reading and technology tips and respond to your questions and feedback.

As the world changes, you can look to your library to help you navigate the new environment.

To help our community access our online collections Library Programmes Officers Jeannie Hazell and Michael Scutti will be running a series of workshops on selected Tuesdays to help library members plug in to our digital collections of ebooks and eAudio (Bolinda and Wheelers) and our eMagazines (Zinio).  Time will be allocated during each session to answer questions about accessing other online collections.

The eVolving library is not about swapping one good thing for another, but about building on the good things and making them available in more ways, more of the time.

Where: Wagga Wagga City Library, Community Learning Space

When: 3pm to 4pm

Entry: Free

Bookings essential: 6926 9700 wcl@wagga.nsw.gov.au

September 23: Zinio eMags

October 14: Bolinda and Wheelers eBooks

October 28: Zinio eMags

November 11: Bolinda and Wheelers eBooks

November 25: Zinio eMags

As a result of our recent knit-in held to support the charity Wrap with Love, the Knittin’ Group has been formed and will have its inaugural meeting on Thursday September 18 from 10am-2pm in the library’s Community Learning Space.

The Knittin' Group is comprised of committed community members who knit and crochet throughout the year for charity.

After discussions with keen knitting enthusiasts from around the area most have been involved with the Library Knit-In for the past three to six years. Some of the groups of knitters have been knitting for Wrap with Love since the early 1990s, well before the knit-In was established in partnership with ABC Radio and the Public Library network.

Wagga Machine Knitters for instance have been producing blankets since 1995 and Henty Craft Group since 2003.

Junee have two knit-ins a year but knitters drop off their squares to their library all year round. Many Riverina libraries have knitting groups that meet regularly throughout the year. This is also the aim of the fledgling Wagga group.

The Knittin’ Group meet bi-monthly on the third Thursday and contributions of wool for this group will be kindly accepted at the library. New members are most welcome.

Where: Wagga City Library - Community Learning Space

When: 10am to 2pm

Dates: September 18, November 20, January 22, 2015, March 19, 2015, May 21, 2015.

Screen Scene

Children and parents are invited to a welcoming and safe environment to watch some great movies on our big screen. Enjoy family friendly films in the Children's Area of the library each Wednesday morning of the school holidays.

Warning: Some movie scenes may scare very young children. You are welcome to bring yummy snacks and a snuggly pillow.

Where: Wagga City Library - Children's Area

When: Wednesday, September 24 at 10am: Paws (PG) 83 mins

Wednesday, October 1 at 10am: The Magic Sword: Quest for Camelot (G) 86 mins

Free entry. No bookings required.

Dr Egypt

Join Dr Egypt and conduct all the steps involved in an Ancient Egyptian burial. Discover the fascinating practice of mummification through these hands-on workshops.

Suitable for primary school age children 5 to 12 years.

When: Monday, September 29, 2.30pm to 3.30pm (5-7 years) and 4pm to 5pm (8-12 years)

Where: Wagga City Library - Children's Area

Cost: $5

Club Celluloid

Wagga City Library is proud to present the second season of Club Celluloid. Catch up with other film fanatics on the second Thursday evening of every month at 6pm, from February through to November. Enjoy a glass of wine and light refreshment with the movie before discussing it together. The next movie will be Happiness.

Where: Wagga City Library

When: October 9, 2014 - Happiness

Cost: $16.50                        

Bookings essential for non-club members: 6926 9700 or email wcl@wagga.nsw.gov.au

Colourfest

To help celebrate FUSION14, Wagga City Library will host a reprise of the Colourfest Film Festival. Enjoy six short films that reflect our cultures, languages and traditions. All films are classified PG and are appropriate for all ages. We invite you to come and celebrate Australia as a nation of diverse faces.

Where: Wagga City Library - Children's Area

When: Thursday, October 16, 5pm

Bookings: 6926 9700 or  wcl@wagga.nsw.gov.au

Free entry

Bookings essential: 6926 9700 or email wcl@wagga.nsw.gov.au

Mondays: 11am to 6pm

Tuesdays to Fridays: 10am to 6pm

Saturdays: 10am to 4pm