The Tentmakers of Cairo: Egypt's Medieval and Modern Appliqué Craft, by Sam Bowker and Seif El Rashidi, presents a fascinating study and history of one of Egypt's traditional crafts, the appliqué work known as khayamiya.

Bowker, lecturer in art history and visual culture at Charles Sturt University, is an expert in this field, having published on the subject of khayamiya since 2012.

Bowker also curated an important exhibition for the Islamic Art Museum Malaysia in 2015-16.

El Rashidi is an art historian who graduated from the American University in Cairo's Islamic art program and has worked for 10 years in cultural preservation in Cairo's al-Darb al-Ahmar, the tentmakers' neighbourhood.

The Tentmakers of Cairo: Egypt's Medieval and Modern Appliqué Craft tells the stories of the tentmakers and their extraordinary tents, from the huge pavilions, or suradeq, of the streets of Egypt, to the souvenirs of World War I and textile artworks now celebrated by quilters around the world.

Stories include how the tentmakers have adapted to new patrons and technologies, inspired the paper cut-outs of Henri Matisse, and continued to preserve their legacy of skilled handcraft in an age of mass production.

This is sure to be a fascinating evening, with light refreshments provided, and book sales available on the night.

Riverina Regional Library is holding its popular "Food For Fines" program again this year, from November 25-December 24.

People are being encouraged to visit their local library and pay off their overdue fines with a donation of non-perishable food.

The library will pass this on to charity, helping those in need over the festive season. Patrons without fines are also welcome to donate.